[1:56] >>chair, doug chaffee: good
[1:56] morning, everyone. If you can,
[1:58] please find a seat so we can
[2:00] begin our presentations. Today
[2:02] it's my honor to present along
[2:04] with supervisor sarmiento a very
[2:07] special and meaningful
[2:08] proclamation on behalf of the
[2:11] orange county board of
[2:12] supervisors, recognizing the
[2:15] celebration of eid, al-fitr.
[2:22] eid mubarak all of you.
[2:28] [ applause ]
[2:41] this marks the end of the month
[2:44] and the time is served by
[2:47] muslims around the world through
[2:49] fasting, prayer, reflection and
[2:50] acts of charity. Time that
[2:53] emphasizes compassion, gratitude
[2:55] and a deep sense of community.
[3:00] here in orange county we're
[3:01] proud to be a vibrant home for a
[3:07] diverse assist muslim community,
[3:08] why more than 100,000 residents,
[3:10] who contribute every day to the
[3:12] strength, culture and success of
[3:14] our county. Small businesses to
[3:18] healthcare, education, to public
[3:21] service, impact is felt across
[3:22] every part of our county. This
[3:26] year's proclamation is
[3:28] especially significant as it
[3:30] marks the first time the orange
[3:31] county board of supervisors is
[3:32] fully recognizing eid al fitr.
[3:38] the important step acknowledging
[3:43] and celebrating the diversity
[3:44] that makes our county stronger.
[3:46] this time we'd like to invite
[3:49] members of the muslim community,
[3:51] who are here with us today to
[3:52] please come forward and let us
[3:53] recognizing you. If I read your
[3:56] name, please step forward and
[3:58] come next to the sheriff, if you
[4:01] would. Dr. Deana helmy is
[4:04] president of the shore council.
[4:06] dr. Muzammil siddiqi, a longtime
[4:12] religious director of the
[4:14] longest serving maoist in orange
[4:16] county. Dr. Alhmed soboh,
[4:23] director of yorba linda
[4:24] placentia islamic center and
[4:27] also is a dentist. So be sure
[4:30] have a good smile this morning.
[4:32] sayed mahdi qazwini, educational
[4:45] center of orange county. Rima
[4:46] nashashibi, the alderman
[4:52] commissioner for the orange
[4:53] county women's commission on the
[4:55] status of women and girls.
[4:56] shaista malik, policy manager,
[5:02] mervette judah, committee
[5:07] organizing and realtor. Lucy
[5:08] silva, latino muslim community
[5:10] member. And the afghan american
[5:14] business and alliance
[5:16] representative and machoke buena
[5:20] park councilmember. We at the
[5:22] board extend our warmest wishes
[5:24] to all of those celebrating eid
[5:28] al-fitr to my colleagues and
[5:31] those around the world. After
[5:33] my colleagues make comments, I'd
[5:36] like to invite dr. Deana helmy
[5:37] and dr. Muzammil siddiqi to make
[5:43] a few remarks. Supervisor
[5:43] sarmiento, you're next because
[5:46] you joined in bringing this
[5:48] matter forward.
[5:49] >>vincente sarmiento: good
[5:50] morning, everybody. I'm vincent
[5:52] sarmiento, orange county
[5:52] supervisor for the second
[5:53] district. I proudly represent
[5:55] the cities of santa ana, orange,
[5:57] tustin, garden grove and
[5:59] anaheim. Ramadan mubarak to
[6:05] everybody. Today is a historic
[6:06] first. We are recognizing eid
[6:09] al-fitr at orange county board
[6:11] of supervisor for the first
[6:12] time, a meaningful and long
[6:14] overdue acknowledgment. I was
[6:16] with you last friday at isoc,
[6:21] the islamic center of orange
[6:23] county, where over 5,000 people
[6:25] were gathered to break fast and
[6:28] to step eide. I'm proud to
[6:31] co-present this with chairman
[6:31] chaffee as we take the step
[6:34] toward recognize diversity of
[6:37] traditions that make up our
[6:38] county. I want to thank all of
[6:38] the community leaders and
[6:39] partners that are here with us
[6:41] today and have continued to
[6:42] proudly represent the muslim
[6:44] community in orange county.
[6:45] your leadership, advocacy and
[6:48] service are deeply valued. I'd
[6:51] like to highlight two guest
[6:53] speakers that the chairman
[6:54] referenced today. Dr. Deana
[6:56] helmy and dr. Muzammil siddiqi,
[7:02] both of whom are highly regarded
[7:04] in their field and our community
[7:05] leaders that we're so proud to
[7:06] have with us today. Dr. Helmy
[7:09] currently serves as the board
[7:10] chair of the islamic shura
[7:13] council in southern california,
[7:15] becoming the first woman to lead
[7:17] this organization. The shura
[7:18] council brings together muslim
[7:20] organizations and leaders across
[7:22] southern california to promote
[7:24] unity, community service,
[7:24] advocacy and leadership
[7:27] development. Dr. Siddiqi is the
[7:29] long-time religious director of
[7:32] the islamic society of orange
[7:34] county and garden grove and
[7:36] widely respect for his decades
[7:38] of faith leadership, scholarship
[7:41] and interfaith engagement. Me
[7:42] helped build bridges across
[7:44] communities and has long been a
[7:46] trusted voice both locally and
[7:49] nationally on issues of faith,
[7:50] service, and civic
[7:51] understanding. This moment
[7:53] reflects our commitment to
[7:54] ensuring all communities in
[7:56] orange county are seen,
[7:57] respected and included in our
[7:59] civic spaces. Eid al-fitr marks
[8:03] the end of ramadan, a sacred
[8:06] month of fasting, reflection and
[8:07] charity. Month concludes with
[8:08] eide, a joyful celebration that
[8:10] brings families and communities
[8:13] together. Many begin their day
[8:13] with a special congregational
[8:16] prayer, wear their beth clothes,
[8:19] visit family and friends, share
[8:20] meals and give to those in need
[8:22] so that everyone can participate
[8:25] in the celebration. Globally
[8:27] more than 1.9 billion muslims
[8:30] celebrate eid al-fitr making one
[8:34] of the most widely-observed
[8:36] holidays in the world. Here in
[8:37] orange county, the muslim
[8:39] community is vibrant, growing
[8:40] and estimated at over 100,000
[8:43] residents who contribute deeply
[8:44] to our region across healthcare,
[8:46] education, business and public
[8:48] service. Again, I had the
[8:51] pleasure of being with the
[8:52] community last friday, and it
[8:54] was a beautiful, beautiful
[8:56] collection of families and
[8:58] friends at a joy us moment. And
[9:00] so recognizing here eide al-fitr
[9:05] at the county level sends a
[9:06] clear message, that our diverse
[9:08] sit strong here in orange
[9:09] county. It affirms that orange
[9:11] county is a place where all
[9:12] communities are seen and
[9:13] respected. For many residents,
[9:14] this recognition is not just
[9:16] symbolic, it's a meaningful step
[9:18] towards inclusion and belonging
[9:19] in these public spaces. So with
[9:21] that, I want to welcome you all
[9:23] who are here. Thank you to
[9:25] everybody for all the work, all
[9:26] the community leaders that do
[9:28] work always throughout your
[9:32] careers here in the county, and
[9:32] thank you for your leadership.
[9:35] I also with the chairman and
[9:38] just proud to be here at this
[9:39] historic moment with him. Thank
[9:40] you all.
[9:42] [ applause ]
[9:49] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: eide
[9:52] al-fitr, this is a great day for
[9:55] orange county to celebrate our
[9:57] diversity and to join with our
[9:59] muslim community here as you end
[10:01] your fast. Thank you to the
[10:03] chairman and the -- supervisor
[10:05] sarmiento for bringing this
[10:08] historic resolution forward and
[10:09] for helping us to really in that
[10:12] orange county is a diverse
[10:15] community, and we have so many
[10:18] different residents, who hail
[10:21] from so many different countries
[10:22] and who really brighten and
[10:24] enhance the quality of our
[10:25] overall community because of
[10:27] that. Ramadan, a mark month
[10:32] marked by reflection, virtuosity
[10:36] and deep spiritual commitment
[10:38] for our husband limb communities
[10:39] and for the world is so
[10:42] important to you. We want you
[10:43] to know that we see you and we
[10:45] hear you and we are here
[10:46] standing with you. We remain so
[10:49] fortunate to live in this
[10:50] amazing community where we can
[10:52] all learn from each other and
[10:54] celebrate each other's different
[10:56] cultures and religious
[10:58] experiences and traditions. And
[11:01] it is my privilege to be able to
[11:03] stand here with you as you end
[11:05] your fast and to celebrate with
[11:08] you. Thank you all for joining
[11:10] us here today, and thank you for
[11:11] your good work in the community
[11:12] whether it's public service or
[11:15] commitment to community causes,
[11:17] and congratulations where women
[11:20] here in orange county continue
[11:22] to excel in all parts of our
[11:24] community. So thank you so
[11:25] much.
[11:28] [ applause ]
[11:39] >>speaker: good morning, and
[11:42] eide mubarak. Thank you for
[11:45] your invitation, for your
[11:51] kindness.
[11:52] honorable chair chaffee and
[11:54] honorable supervisor vincent
[11:57] sarmiento, respectable members
[11:59] of the county board of
[11:59] supervisors. Ladies and
[12:03] gentlemen, on behalf of the
[12:04] islamic society of foreign
[12:07] countries for garden grove, this
[12:09] board and staff and many
[12:10] members, I express our deep
[12:12] thanks and appreciation to the
[12:14] board of supervisors of orange
[12:16] county for recognizing eide
[12:21] al-fitr, a major muslim
[12:23] festival. It comes annually.
[12:24] after observing a month of
[12:27] fasting, prayer, and acts of
[12:29] charity. It is a major
[12:30] religious festival of muslims
[12:32] and it is recognized universally
[12:34] by muslims in orange county, the
[12:36] united states and all over the
[12:37] world. The islamic society of
[12:42] orange county has also
[12:43] celebrated recently its 50th
[12:46] anniversary, and is one of the
[12:49] oldest and largest islamic
[12:51] organizations in the area, as
[12:53] well as many other
[12:55] organizations, we are very
[12:55] grateful. We are thankful that
[12:57] the -- last friday morning on
[13:01] the eighth day, the honorable
[13:03] supervisor sarmiento was with
[13:07] thousands of muslims and
[13:09] announced the first time
[13:10] recognition of israel by the
[13:13] supervisors of foreign
[13:14] countries. Thank you for your
[13:16] openness to diversity and
[13:19] multiplicity of races, religions
[13:22] and cultures in our great orange
[13:22] county. We pray to god for
[13:26] peace, prosperity, and happiness
[13:29] of all people in orange county
[13:30] and in america and around the
[13:33] world. We thank you for your
[13:35] wise and gracious leadership.
[13:38] may god bless you. Thank you.
[13:39] amen.
[13:41] [ applause ]
[13:46] >>speaker: good morning.
[13:49] honorable chairman supervisor
[13:50] chaffee, supervisor sarmiento,
[13:54] and all supervisor community
[13:58] partners and distinguished
[13:59] guests, my name is dr. Deana
[14:01] helmy and I'm honored to serve
[14:04] as the first chairwoman of the
[14:06] islamic shura council of
[14:08] southern california. On behalf
[14:09] of the muslim community of
[14:11] orange county I want to express
[14:12] our sincere appreciation to
[14:14] chairman supervisor chaffee and
[14:15] supervisor sarmiento for
[14:15] bringing forward this historic
[14:18] proclamation, recognizing eide
[14:21] here in orange can county. This
[14:23] is a meaningful moment for our
[14:25] community and a powerful
[14:26] affirmation of inclusivity. The
[14:28] holiday being recognized today
[14:29] is one of the most joyful
[14:31] celebrations in islam. It marks
[14:34] the culmination of ramadan, a
[14:35] month of fasting from dawn to
[14:37] sunset which is filled with
[14:41] spiritual reflection, acts of
[14:42] charity, and strengthening our
[14:44] bonds with family and community
[14:45] members. Throughout the month
[14:46] of ramadan, mosques across
[14:49] orange county host nightly
[14:51] prayers and community events
[14:53] where people from all
[14:55] backgrounds gather to share a
[14:57] meal and build relationships. I
[14:58] hope you have had
[15:00] the opportunity to join one of
[15:04] these and if not take in an
[15:06] invitation for next year and
[15:08] partake in avtar. I encourage
[15:13] everyone to join the community
[15:15] in observe and prayer and
[15:19] community celebration. Orange
[15:21] county is a home to vibrant and
[15:23] diverse muslim communities with
[15:24] dozens of course h of mosques
[15:27] serving thousands of families.
[15:28] these institutions are not only
[15:30] places of worship, but also
[15:32] centers of education, youth
[15:34] leadership, interfaith
[15:35] collaboration and extensive
[15:36] community service. Muslims
[15:37] contribute across many sectors
[15:40] in healthcare, education,
[15:42] business, science and technology
[15:43] and public service and nonprofit
[15:46] work, from caring for patients
[15:48] to teaching our students to
[15:50] running small businesses to
[15:52] supporting charitable and civic
[15:54] initiatives, muslim residents
[15:55] help strengthen the social and
[15:56] economic fabric of this county
[15:57] every day. I'm proud to
[16:00] represent the islamic shura
[16:01] council of southern california,
[16:02] a coalition that brings together
[16:04] more than 80 mosques and muslim
[16:06] organizations across the region.
[16:07] the shura county works to foster
[16:10] unity, support community
[16:12] development and build bridges
[16:13] with interfaith partners, civic
[16:16] leaders and local institutions.
[16:17] our mission is simple, to uplift
[16:19] our communities and contribute
[16:23] positively to the broader
[16:24] society we are a part of, lead a
[16:27] celebration of gratitude,
[16:28] compassion and renewed purpose,
[16:29] values that resonate far beyond
[16:32] the muslim community. And by
[16:33] recognizing eide, the board of
[16:35] supervisors not only are
[16:37] honoring a meaningful religious
[16:40] holiday but also contribution
[16:42] diversity and civic spirit of
[16:43] muslim families who helped make
[16:45] orange county a more vibrant and
[16:47] inclusive place to live. Thank
[16:49] you again for your leadership
[16:50] and ensuring that every resident
[16:52] here feels seen, valued and
[16:54] included. Thank you.
[16:57] [ applause ]
[16:59] norwuz. Zandalasini.
[20:01] >>chair, doug chaffee: we're
[20:05] going to go on to our second
[20:07] presentation in morning, and
[20:08] that will be led by vice-chair
[20:10] foley, for bringing forward --
[20:16] if I say that right --
[20:19] celebrating norwuz.
[20:21] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: thank
[20:21] you, mr. Chairman. Norwuz
[20:25] peruz. I'm katrina foley,
[20:29] representing the board as the
[20:32] vice-chair and representative
[20:33] for the fabulous fifth district
[20:35] which covers costa mesa all the
[20:37] way to san clemente, 31 miles of
[20:39] beautiful coast. And home to a
[20:42] vibrant iranian american
[20:45] community. Norwuz marks the
[20:48] bring of a new year on the
[20:49] persian calendar, continuing a
[20:51] more than 3,000 year-old
[20:54] tradition, welcoming spring.
[20:56] norwuz, a new day, is when
[21:01] 36,000 iranian americans that
[21:04] reside right here in orange
[21:05] county start a new day. And
[21:09] this year many of our beautiful
[21:11] festivals that normally would
[21:13] have been happening during this
[21:15] time period have been turned
[21:19] into and converted to vigils or
[21:21] not happening at all. And due
[21:24] to the war and due to the
[21:27] sensitivity and concern that it
[21:29] would be inappropriate to be
[21:31] celebrating and happy and
[21:33] living, you know, these great
[21:35] lives we have here while many
[21:37] are mourning and struggling and
[21:40] grieving for their families. In
[21:42] iran. On sunday I had the
[21:45] privilege of joining the iranian
[21:48] american bar association at a
[21:51] vigil in irvine, and it was a
[21:54] replacement for the normal gala
[21:56] that they have, where they
[21:58] raised money for scholarships
[22:00] and what I enjoyed so much about
[22:02] the vigil was that I got to hear
[22:05] directly from many individuals
[22:08] who were sharing stories about
[22:11] their journey america, sharing
[22:15] stories about the pain that they
[22:17] are feeling because they have
[22:18] family members and friends who
[22:20] are in iran and the uncertainty.
[22:24] and also the conflict between
[22:26] feeling, you know, good that a
[22:30] terrible dictator has been
[22:31] removed and a regime change.
[22:35] but at same time such terrible
[22:39] degradation of the community and
[22:41] death of the people, especially
[22:43] the children. So we today bring
[22:47] this presentation forward to
[22:50] join our iranian community, to
[22:53] recognize norwuz and a new day,
[22:57] making sure, just like we did
[22:59] for the last presentation, we
[23:00] have such a beautiful, diverse
[23:03] community here in orange county
[23:04] where we all get to learn about
[23:06] each other's cultures and
[23:09] celebrations and struggles. And
[23:11] that's what makes orange county
[23:13] a wonderful place to live and
[23:16] where we all can grow together.
[23:18] my office, we will continue to
[23:20] stand with our iranian
[23:22] community, especially the women,
[23:24] and we want you to know that we
[23:29] are here mourning with you as
[23:31] you transition this norwuz. So
[23:37] if some could join me up here,
[23:40] we have the iranian american
[23:42] community group's ceo
[23:43] dr. Michael chegini, who will
[23:48] come up and join to us say a few
[23:50] words. And I know we have
[23:52] representatives from our iranian
[23:53] american bar association, the
[23:55] iranian american community
[23:57] groups, our former mayor of
[24:01] laguna beach, alex ronoghi is
[24:05] here. Come and join us. Our
[24:08] iranian american chamber of
[24:10] commerce, shani moslehi and also
[24:13] the network of iranian american
[24:16] professionals of orange county,
[24:17] please join us. And
[24:20] dr. Chegini, after my
[24:26] colleagues, we'll have that you
[24:28] say a few words. Mr. Chairman,
[24:40] do you want to say a few words?
[24:46] supervisor sarmiento.
[24:48] >>vincente sarmiento: thank you.
[24:52] thank you for bringing this.
[24:55] last year I know I had the
[24:56] pleasure of introducing norwuz
[24:59] and celebrating norwuz. So I
[25:01] want to see if I can have
[25:02] somebody who's very special to
[25:05] me, my chief of staff,
[25:07] yasie goebel, who is persian
[25:11] american, and I want to have her
[25:12] come up. Give her a big round
[25:14] of applause. She does all of
[25:15] the heavy lifting for me. Suzie
[25:18] price from the d.a.'s office,
[25:19] can you join us up here as well?
[25:20] I see you in the audience.
[25:22] please come and join us. We
[25:23] have a lot of persian americans
[25:25] that work here in the county,
[25:27] too many to count and have up
[25:29] here. But we have many, many
[25:31] people that we're blessed who
[25:32] are of persian descent and so
[25:34] today as the vice-chair was
[25:36] mentioning we are joining
[25:37] millions of people around the
[25:38] world to celebrate norwuz, the
[25:40] start of spring, and a new year
[25:42] for over 300 million people.
[25:45] for more than 3,000 years norwuz
[25:48] has been about renewal, it's a
[25:50] time to reflect, make amends, to
[25:52] reconnect with loved ones and to
[25:54] look ahead with hope. It
[25:55] reminds us that just like the
[25:55] world around us begins again in
[25:57] the spring, we can too. But
[25:59] this year I know it is a very
[26:02] solemn moment in the midst of a
[26:05] joy us occasion. So we
[26:07] celebrate with deep concern
[26:10] about what is happening on the
[26:12] other part of the world in iran.
[26:14] we also have to acknowledge the
[26:15] painful reality. Many
[26:17] communities that would normally
[26:18] be celebrating are instead
[26:20] living through fear and loss.
[26:22] in countries like iran, people
[26:24] are enduring profound hardship,
[26:26] mourning the thousands of lives
[26:28] lost during the recent
[26:29] government massacre and ongoing
[26:31] abuses. While also living
[26:34] through unprovoked foreign
[26:35] violence, facing danger both on
[26:37] the ground from their own
[26:38] government and from the sky
[26:40] through active war. In
[26:42] afghanistan, women and girls
[26:43] continue to be stripped of their
[26:45] most basic rights, denied
[26:47] education, denied independence
[26:48] and denied even the freedom to
[26:50] leave their homes without a male
[26:53] guardian, all the while the
[26:54] country remains gripped by
[26:55] instability, conflict from
[26:57] foreign intrusion. Across the
[27:00] region, many families are
[27:01] enduring the realities of war
[27:03] displacement and deep
[27:04] uncertainty. So with that
[27:07] context, I know that the people
[27:09] who celebrate norwuz, who we're
[27:12] celebrating with today, are
[27:13] resilient, are people who
[27:15] endured for 3,000 years and
[27:18] celebrated in a joy us way new
[27:20] beginnings and hope. So this
[27:23] year it is a moment for us to
[27:25] celebrate in solidarity with
[27:26] them. They stand with those who
[27:27] are grieving, who are living in
[27:29] fear and who do not know what
[27:31] tomorrow will bring, but we
[27:32] embrace their resilience and
[27:33] hold on to the hope that freedom
[27:36] and peace lie ahead in this new
[27:38] year with days filled with
[27:40] safety and opportunity for
[27:41] everybody. Here in our
[27:42] community we're blessed we have
[27:44] so many iranians and folks who
[27:47] celebrate norwuz. We are proud
[27:49] to celebrate the cultures and
[27:51] tracks that make us stronger.
[27:53] with that, welcome. Let's
[27:54] continue to celebrate, let's
[27:55] continue to keep hope alive. We
[27:57] know that we've gone through
[27:59] difficult moments as a
[28:01] community, as a country. But as
[28:03] a global community, we must also
[28:05] make sure that we stand with
[28:06] people going through difficult
[28:08] moments. So thank you,
[28:09] everybody, back here for
[28:10] everything that you do,
[28:11] representing your community
[28:12] beautifully. Thank you so much
[28:14] to all of who are joining us as
[28:16] well. Thank you.
[28:17] [ applause ]
[28:21] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[28:22] dr. Chegini, would you like to
[28:25] say a few words?
[28:27] >>speaker: thank you so much.
[28:30] and good morning to chairman
[28:36] chaffee and vice-chairman foley
[28:42] and county supervisor sarmiento.
[28:48] the iranian community are in
[28:51] grief as totally true. This
[28:55] year has been with a difficult
[28:58] year for us. Iran american
[29:02] communities, as ms. Foley
[29:09] mentioned, our diverse
[29:12] community, and we have many
[29:14] association here, the new park
[29:21] community bar association,
[29:23] chamber of commerce. But we are
[29:26] all in one heart, and that's
[29:29] freedom for iran. We all share
[29:33] for that.
[29:34] [ applause ]
[29:35] >> maybe we have different views
[29:37] how to get there. But we all
[29:39] want free iran. And this year
[29:44] has been a difficult year for
[29:50] all of us. I would like to talk
[29:52] about norwuz, iran's new year, a
[29:56] celebration that's more than
[29:57] just a hide holiday. It is a
[29:59] symbol of renewal, resistance
[30:01] and hope. Norwuz, which means
[30:06] new day, in persia is
[30:09] celebrating of the first day of
[30:11] the spring. At exact moment of
[30:15] the vernal equinox. It
[30:20] originally goes back 3,000 years
[30:22] rooted in the ancient persian
[30:25] legend of zoroastrian. Despite
[30:31] centuries of invasions,
[30:33] political changes and cultural
[30:38] shifts, norwuz has been survived
[30:39] and continues to be celebrated
[30:42] by millions of people across the
[30:44] iran and many countries. At its
[30:49] heart, norwuz represents
[30:52] rebirth. The idea after
[30:54] darkness comes light. After
[30:57] winter comes spring. Families
[31:00] gather at home, cleaning, and a
[31:06] special table called haft-seen.
[31:14] the tree is set withheld
[31:16] symbolic items representing
[31:19] life, health, and prosperity.
[31:21] it is a time for conqueredness,
[31:23] reflection and new beginnings.
[31:24] but today as we celebrate
[31:26] norwuz, we cannot ignore the
[31:29] reality that many iranians and
[31:32] americans face. This year
[31:36] norwuz arrives under the shadow
[31:38] of war and conflict. Recent
[31:41] events have brought violence,
[31:45] uncertainty and loss to many
[31:47] families. Celebration that are
[31:53] usually joyful have become
[31:54] quieter, more reflective and,
[32:00] for some, filled with grief. At
[32:04] same time many iranians, both
[32:10] sides, inside of iran and
[32:11] outside of iran, around the
[32:13] world continue to hope for
[32:14] packers dignity and freedom.
[32:16] many see the difficult moment as
[32:20] a turning point, a chance for
[32:23] change to a better future. And
[32:27] yet then hardship, the spirit of
[32:31] norwuz lives on. People are
[32:36] still gathering around their
[32:40] house at tables, they still
[32:42] share meals, tell stories and
[32:44] hold on to tradition passed on
[32:47] by generations. Because norwuz
[32:50] is not just about celebration,
[32:52] it is about endurances. It
[32:58] reminds us that light can
[33:01] overcome darkness. Hope can
[33:03] survive even at difficult times,
[33:06] and renewal is always possible.
[33:10] as we reflect on norwuz today,
[33:14] let us not only celebrate a new
[33:17] year, but also stand with those
[33:20] who long for peace and justice
[33:25] instead of war and conflict.
[33:27] love instead of hate and freedom
[33:30] instead of fear. May this new
[33:39] year truly become a new
[33:42] beginning for iran, the united
[33:45] states, israel and region and
[33:49] for all people seeking a better
[33:51] life. The iranian american of
[33:58] orange county appreciate all of
[33:58] the support and love this
[34:01] country and the country has
[34:04] provided us this year, we in
[34:08] persian say norwuz mobarak, and
[34:14] in hebrew, we say shanah tovah,
[34:20] and in english, we say happy new
[34:21] year. Thank you.
[34:22] [ applause ]
[37:54] >>chair, doug chaffee: good
[37:55] morning again. We have one more
[37:56] presentation to make. Thank you
[37:59] to supervisor sarmiento, bring
[38:05] forward directing h recognizing
[38:08] march 2026 as developmental
[38:11] disabilities awareness month. I
[38:13] guess that's me. Too often
[38:15] those with developmental
[38:16] disabilities are excluded due to
[38:19] preconceived notions of their
[38:21] abilities to perform work. I
[38:25] encourage all resident tots
[38:26] recognize the importance of
[38:27] disability development awareness
[38:30] and support ongoing efforts of
[38:31] the county throughout a range of
[38:34] services including therapy,
[38:36] education and support to address
[38:37] the specific needs of people
[38:39] with developmental disabilities.
[38:41] supervisor sarmiento, thank you
[38:43] for bringing this. Where did
[38:47] you disappear to? Okay.
[38:50] >>vincente sarmiento: I gotcha.
[38:51] thank you, mr. Chairman. And
[38:53] thank you for the opportunity
[38:55] for allowing us to celebrate
[38:57] march 2026's developmental
[38:59] disabilities awareness month.
[39:01] this observance recognizes
[39:03] people with developmental
[39:04] disabilities and the many
[39:06] contributions of those who
[39:08] support them in living
[39:09] independent and fulfilling
[39:10] lives. Developmental
[39:12] disabilities include
[39:13] intellectual disabilities,
[39:16] cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism
[39:19] and other related conditions
[39:21] that affect development and
[39:22] daily functioning. This year's
[39:24] theme is "we're here then, now,
[39:27] and always." it reminds us that
[39:28] individuals with developmental
[39:29] disabilities have always been
[39:31] part of our communities. But
[39:32] not always been treated well and
[39:34] just. We need to continue to
[39:37] contribute today and will remain
[39:39] essential to our shared future
[39:41] that we all recognize our need
[39:44] to do better and to do more. It
[39:46] calls on all of us to build
[39:49] conclusive communities where
[39:50] everyone belongs. We also
[39:52] recognize the vital role of
[39:53] parents, caregivers, advocates
[39:55] and organizations who provide
[39:57] essential services. More than
[39:59] five decades ago california
[40:01] passed a historic landmark law,
[40:05] the lanterman developmental
[40:08] disability service act of 1969.
[40:10] it established a regional center
[40:13] system to replace institutional
[40:14] air and support independent
[40:15] living. Today californians with
[40:18] developmental disabilities are
[40:19] entitled to services that help
[40:21] them thrive in their
[40:25] communities. As we look ahead,
[40:26] it's essential that we continue
[40:27] building on this legacy by
[40:29] prioritizing community-based
[40:32] support and independence and
[40:34] resistant returning to models
[40:35] that push toward -- resist
[40:38] returning to models that push
[40:40] toward isolation or
[40:41] institution-centered systems. I
[40:43] learned that from my wife. In
[40:45] orange county organizations such
[40:46] as the regional center of orange
[40:47] county, the office of clients
[40:50] rights advocacy, the orange
[40:51] county autism foundation and the
[40:53] project independence play a
[40:55] critical role in advocacy and
[40:57] service delivery with support
[40:59] and empower independence rather
[41:01] than centralized closed systems.
[41:04] despite this progress,
[41:06] significant challenges remain.
[41:08] individuals with developmental
[41:10] disabilities continue to face
[41:10] discrimination, underfunding and
[41:12] barriers to housing, health
[41:15] care, employment and civic
[41:16] engagement. To move forward, it
[41:18] is essential that policymakers
[41:20] listen to individuals that have
[41:22] lived experience when addressing
[41:24] these systematic problems. This
[41:26] resolution is deeply personal to
[41:27] me. Through my wife, eva casa
[41:33] sarmiento, who is in the
[41:35] audience, I'm going to ask her
[41:36] come up, as well, she is the
[41:38] managing attorney at office
[41:39] clients rights advocate answers
[41:41] and has dedicated her career and
[41:43] her life -- her life's work as a
[41:46] civil rights attorney, to making
[41:48] sure that people have advocates.
[41:51] and my policy aide I want to
[41:54] recognize, damiana armendariz,
[41:57] who lives with autism spectrum
[42:00] disorder. I have seen both
[42:01] challenges and the invaluable
[42:02] perspectives of this community.
[42:05] so I want to thank damiana
[42:07] because she helped draft this.
[42:09] even though she's upstairs
[42:11] working hard, give her a big
[42:12] round of applause because she
[42:13] does excellent work.
[42:15] [ applause ]
[42:15] and I want to congratulate her
[42:18] on her new roles at my office as
[42:19] a policy aide on issues of
[42:21] legislation older adults and
[42:23] disabilities. As we observe
[42:25] developmental disabilities
[42:26] awareness month, let us recommit
[42:28] to inclusion, raise awareness
[42:29] and remove barriers to community
[42:31] life. Let's ensure that
[42:33] everybody with developmental
[42:34] disabilities have access to the
[42:35] resources, support
[42:36] and opportunities that we all
[42:39] have and need to be fully
[42:42] included and represented within
[42:43] our county. I have a couple of
[42:45] people that I want to ask to
[42:47] come up. Obviously my wife, eva
[42:50] casa sarmiento, somebody who's
[42:51] going to be addressing this as
[42:53] well, my colleague on the
[42:54] caloptima board of directors,
[42:57] maura byron. Maura is the
[42:59] executive director of the family
[43:00] support network which offers
[43:01] resources for family and
[43:04] children with social, emotional,
[43:05] intellectual and physical needs
[43:07] so they can reach their full
[43:08] potential. Maura is nags
[43:11] pate -- passionate about
[43:14] addressing the gaps as a family
[43:16] member in care for vulnerable
[43:18] community members and advocating
[43:19] for parent caregivers. Maura
[43:23] was appointed to the caloptima
[43:26] health board in december 2023
[43:30] and is the vice-chair -- became
[43:32] the vice care in january 2026.
[43:35] maura is the first person in
[43:38] leadership at the board of
[43:39] directors of caloptima who is a
[43:41] family member, and that is very
[43:43] important because she brings
[43:44] lived experience as guidance to
[43:45] our board. I also want to
[43:48] recognize larry land daughter
[43:50] who oversees our regional center
[43:53] here in orange county. Lawyer
[43:55] landauer. Thank you, larry. If
[43:57] you're here, please join us.
[43:59] and also the president of the oc
[44:03] autism foundation, julie diep,
[44:05] she also is the executive
[44:06] director there and oversees
[44:08] speech therapy clinic,
[44:10] disability advocacy center and
[44:11] the community integration
[44:13] program. Thank you so much,
[44:14] julie, for being here as well.
[44:16] so please join us. Thank you
[44:17] for everybody that does tireless
[44:21] work in this area, for making
[44:23] sure that everybody living with
[44:25] a disability, whether it be
[44:27] developmental, intellectual,
[44:29] that we continue working strong
[44:32] together to make sure that our
[44:34] county, our state and our
[44:35] country do better. And there is
[44:39] a lot of room for improvement.
[44:40] I know with the advocates behind
[44:42] me, I know we'll get there. So
[44:43] I will turn this over to
[44:45] vice-chair foley. And thank you
[44:47] all for joining us again.
[44:48] thanks.
[44:49] [ applause ]
[44:51] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: good
[44:52] morning, I'm katrina foley,
[44:53] county supervisor. And thank
[44:55] you to supervisor sarmiento for
[44:58] bringing forward this resolution
[44:59] to recognize the 2026
[45:02] developmental disabilities
[45:03] awareness month. And as you
[45:06] mentioned, the theme this year
[45:07] is "we're here, then, now, and
[45:11] always." and this theme
[45:13] reflects the legacy of progress.
[45:14] as somebody whose family has
[45:17] been involved in the work to
[45:19] support individuals with
[45:22] developmental disabilities for
[45:23] many years, my father-in-law was
[45:27] first hired to work at the
[45:29] fairview developmental center in
[45:31] costa mesa. My husband grew up
[45:33] in a little house right there on
[45:35] the site, and it wasn't unusual
[45:38] to see him out playing
[45:40] basketball with the clients, and
[45:45] their family is a big part of
[45:46] that community. And as that
[45:48] community has transitioned and
[45:50] the fairview developmental
[45:51] scheidt been closed, the
[45:52] community still remains. There
[45:54] are individuals who are living
[45:56] in the apartments and living
[45:59] independently. And as part of
[46:01] the planning for the future,
[46:02] there will be another community
[46:05] built right there at the
[46:06] fairview developmental center.
[46:08] the developmental disabilities
[46:11] awareness month was first
[46:12] established in 1987 by president
[46:15] reagan. So this month we
[46:17] continue to highlight the more
[46:18] than 28,000 county residents,
[46:21] who live with developmental
[46:23] disabilities. And in district 5
[46:25] I want to recognize some of the
[46:26] transformative programs that we
[46:28] have in our district. In costa
[46:32] mesa, the nonprofit project
[46:35] independence, it provides
[46:36] in-home, workplace and
[46:38] community-based services, and
[46:40] every year at winkle park you
[46:43] can join us for a walk around
[46:45] park for independence and help
[46:47] support and meet many of their
[46:48] clients, who are living
[46:50] independently. We have the shea
[46:52] center at san juan capistrano
[46:55] that seeks to improve whether I
[46:57] was people with disabilities
[46:58] through equine therapy. They
[47:00] are making magic there at the
[47:02] shea center. And then one of my
[47:04] favorite surf and turf therapy
[47:07] out of san juan capistrano.
[47:10] their clients can participate in
[47:14] surfing and riding horses,
[47:16] equine therapy, to build
[47:17] strength, disability and
[47:19] confidence through horseback
[47:21] riding and surfing lessons. And
[47:27] another favorite -- and I
[47:27] believe we have a guest here
[47:30] today, tommy stevens a teacher
[47:31] and an education specialist. Is
[47:33] tommy here? Okay. Come on up,
[47:34] tommy. It says tom. I know him
[47:38] as tommy because I've known him
[47:40] for a long time. His dad is
[47:42] mayor of costa mesa, and he
[47:44] helps with rad camp in irvine.
[47:46] they offer vibrant summer camp
[47:47] program force children and
[47:49] adults living with developmental
[47:50] disabilities. And while tom
[47:53] stevens works during the school
[47:55] year as a special education
[47:57] teacher, he -- during the summer
[48:00] and in many parts of his life,
[48:03] volunteers to continue to sport
[48:07] community. So we must honor the
[48:08] past, recognize the present and
[48:10] recommit to the future, a future
[48:12] where everyone belongs and
[48:13] everyone has access, then, now,
[48:16] and always. Thank you.
[48:18] [ applause ]
[48:31] >>speaker: good morning. Thank
[48:32] you for recognizing
[48:33] developmental disabilities
[48:34] awareness month and for your
[48:36] continued leadership in
[48:37] supporting children and families
[48:39] across orange county. My name
[48:40] is maura byron and I'm the
[48:43] executive director of family
[48:43] support network. For more than
[48:45] 40 years our organization has
[48:46] supported families raising
[48:47] children and adults with
[48:49] developmental disabilities and
[48:52] complex medical needs. We are
[48:53] founded by parents who met in
[48:55] the neonatal intensive care unit
[48:57] and recognized as they prepared
[49:00] to leave the hospital that while
[49:01] their children that were being
[49:03] discharged, the support that
[49:04] they needed was far less clear.
[49:06] they came together to help one
[49:08] another navigate a very complex
[49:10] system of care, and that spirit
[49:12] continues to guide our work
[49:12] today. My connection to this
[49:14] work is both professional and
[49:16] extremely personal. I join
[49:18] family support network 19 years
[49:21] ago as a parent mentor. My
[49:22] husband and I have raised three
[49:24] children, and our youngest
[49:25] daughter, now an adult, lives
[49:26] with cerebral palsy,
[49:29] developmental delays and
[49:30] extremely complex medical needs.
[49:32] that experience has given me a
[49:34] practical understanding of the
[49:35] challenges that families face,
[49:37] not only emotionally but in
[49:39] coordinating care, accessing
[49:42] services and planning for the
[49:43] future. Today family support
[49:46] network provides a variety of
[49:48] programs and services reaching
[49:49] nearly 2000 families across
[49:51] orange county every year.
[49:52] through our reach program,
[49:54] resources, education, advocacy
[49:57] and caring health and in
[50:00] partnership with the regional
[50:00] center of orange county, we
[50:02] provide hands-on navigation,
[50:03] developmental screenings,
[50:06] behavioral coaching and access
[50:07] to tools such as communication
[50:08] devices, helping families
[50:10] connect to the right resources
[50:12] as early as possible. What we
[50:15] consistently see is that
[50:17] families are doing an incredible
[50:18] job, managing complex needs.
[50:20] but they benefit greatly from
[50:22] clear guidance and coordinated
[50:25] support. When families can more
[50:26] easily access services and
[50:28] understand their options, they
[50:30] are better able to plan, stay
[50:32] ahead of challenges, and focus
[50:34] on their child's growth and
[50:35] development. That's the role
[50:38] family support network is proud
[50:40] to play. By working alongside
[50:42] families and in partnerships
[50:43] with systems like the regional
[50:45] center, we help make support
[50:46] more accessible, more
[50:48] coordinated and more effective.
[50:51] together we have the opportunity
[50:52] to continue strengthening a
[50:54] system that works, one that
[50:57] ensures that families feel
[50:58] supported, informed and
[50:59] connected every step of the way.
[51:02] thank you so much.
[51:04] [ applause ]
[52:29] >>chair, doug chaffee: that
[52:29] concludes this morning's
[52:30] presentations. We'll begin our
[52:34] regular board meeting in about
[52:35] 10 minutes.
[1:05:27] >>chair, doug chaffee: good
[1:05:27] morning, everyone. If you
[1:05:30] considering please find a seat
[1:05:30] so we can get to our regular
[1:05:34] meeting. Welcome all of to you
[1:05:36] our board meeting this morning.
[1:05:42] today we'll begin with the
[1:05:43] invocations to be offered by
[1:05:46] supervisor wagner to be followed
[1:05:47] by the pledge of allegiance led
[1:05:49] by vice-chair foley. Please
[1:05:51] stand if you're able...
[1:05:58] >>don wagner: dear heavenly
[1:06:00] father, may your people
[1:06:01] persevere in obedience to your
[1:06:03] will so that through this
[1:06:05] obedience we may grow in your
[1:06:07] grace and increase in wisdom.
[1:06:08] we ask this through your holy
[1:06:11] name, amen.
[1:06:14] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: I'd
[1:06:15] like to invite brandon denowics
[1:06:18] [phonetics], who is a
[1:06:20] representative at our orange
[1:06:22] county transit authority in the
[1:06:23] bus operations division, he's
[1:06:25] also an orange county native and
[1:06:26] earned his bachelor of arts in
[1:06:28] music from the university of red
[1:06:30] lands, and he will sing the
[1:06:31] national anthem with us, and
[1:06:33] then we will say the pledge.
[1:06:37] national anthem 777
[1:08:05] [ applause ]
[1:08:06] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: thank
[1:08:07] you, brandon. Bravo. Please
[1:08:10] see with me...
[1:08:12] I pledge allegiance to my flag
[1:08:13] to the united states of america
[1:08:15] and to the republic for which it
[1:08:17] stands, one nation, under god,
[1:08:19] indivisible, with liberty and
[1:08:21] justice for all.
[1:08:28] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:08:29] you, supervisors wagner and
[1:08:31] foley, also brandon for singing
[1:08:32] the national anthem. Just a few
[1:08:36] reminders for today's meeting.
[1:08:40] please use the main entrance
[1:08:41] when entering and leaving the
[1:08:43] room because all other doors are
[1:08:45] alarmed and for emergency exit
[1:08:47] only. Please set all phones to
[1:08:51] "mute" or vibrate at this time
[1:08:54] and for the duration of the
[1:08:55] meeting. The changes to today's
[1:09:01] agenda along with agendas and
[1:09:02] requests to speak are located in
[1:09:04] the lobby just outside the
[1:09:06] boardroom. The board will be
[1:09:07] breaking for lunch around the
[1:09:09] noon hour at which time we'll
[1:09:11] also recess to closed session.
[1:09:14] if you need a parking validation
[1:09:17] for the p4 parking lot, please
[1:09:19] see the deputy clerk next to the
[1:09:20] podium, and you'll get a
[1:09:21] validation card. We will now
[1:09:24] move to the agenda for this
[1:09:25] morning's meeting. Agenda
[1:09:28] contains a brief description of
[1:09:30] each item to be considered
[1:09:33] except as otherwise provided by
[1:09:34] law such an emergency, no action
[1:09:38] shall be taken on any item not
[1:09:41] appearing on the agenda. Agenda
[1:09:43] is divided into sections. All
[1:09:44] matters on the consent calendar
[1:09:45] are approved by one motion
[1:09:48] unless a board member or member
[1:09:50] of the public request a separate
[1:09:52] action on a specific item. If
[1:09:54] you wish to address the board,
[1:09:56] please complete a speaker
[1:09:57] request form located in the
[1:09:59] lobby outside the boardroom. To
[1:10:01] ensure the smooth conduct in the
[1:10:02] meeting, speaker request forms
[1:10:04] must be turned in prior to the
[1:10:06] beginning of the item being
[1:10:07] considered, whether it be the
[1:10:09] consent calendar, the reading of
[1:10:10] individual items or the
[1:10:11] beginning of public comments.
[1:10:14] speakers may address the board
[1:10:15] on up to three occasions with
[1:10:16] three minutes allot per
[1:10:20] occasion. When are you called
[1:10:22] to speak, please step to the
[1:10:24] podium, we ask that you state
[1:10:25] your name and city and residents
[1:10:27] for the record. The green light
[1:10:36] means have you three minutes.
[1:10:36] the light changes to yellow when
[1:10:39] have you 1 minute, and the red
[1:10:40] light means your time has
[1:10:44] expired. We ask that you
[1:10:46] observe the lights so that all
[1:10:47] who wish to speak have the
[1:10:48] opportunity do so. When
[1:10:49] addressing the board, please
[1:10:50] address the board as a whole
[1:10:52] through the chair. . I'll ask
[1:10:57] the clerk if you've identified
[1:10:59] any changes to the agenda or
[1:11:00] requests to receive from the
[1:11:03] public to pull an item for the
[1:11:05] consent calendar.
[1:11:05] >>clerk, robin stieler: on the
[1:11:08] discussion calendar, items 13
[1:11:09] and 29 have both been continued
[1:11:10] to april 14th, be 2026, 9:30
[1:11:14] a.m. And the public has
[1:11:15] requested to pull item 1 from
[1:11:16] the consent calendar.
[1:11:18] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[1:11:19] right. And I have received a
[1:11:22] number of requests for priority,
[1:11:26] that it be heard immediately
[1:11:29] after consent calendar. There
[1:11:31] are so many, I kind of did my
[1:11:32] own re-jumbling a little bit. I
[1:11:34] had like four different
[1:11:36] requests. So after consent
[1:11:37] calendar, we'll then go to item
[1:11:39] 32, and that will be next to
[1:11:43] supplement 31c, supplement 31d,
[1:11:46] supplement 31e, supplement 31f,
[1:11:49] and supplement 31g, and then we
[1:11:52] can come back to item 11. So
[1:11:53] that's the order in which we
[1:11:55] intend to move unless a member
[1:11:56] of the board objects. I see
[1:11:58] none. And I would please be
[1:12:01] mindful, I had multiple requests
[1:12:02] for jumbling the order. We have
[1:12:08] a request to hear -- supervisor
[1:12:10] sarmiento, did you wish to pull
[1:12:12] an item.
[1:12:13] >>vincente sarmiento: simply
[1:12:14] make a comment on item no. 8,
[1:12:16] when that moment comes after we
[1:12:18] approve --
[1:12:19] >>chair, doug chaffee: you want
[1:12:23] just to make your comment.
[1:12:25] >>vincente sarmiento: yes.
[1:12:27] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[1:12:28] objection to approving the
[1:12:29] remaining items? If you'd like
[1:12:31] to make a comment, then we'll go
[1:12:32] to item 1 which has a speaker
[1:12:35] request.
[1:12:35] >>vincente sarmiento: briefly I
[1:12:37] want to thank doug becht and his
[1:12:39] team, everybody who worked on
[1:12:40] the commission to address
[1:12:42] homelessness annual report for
[1:12:44] 2025. As the outgoing chair of
[1:12:48] the commission to address
[1:12:48] homelessness, I'm pleased to
[1:12:50] comment on this item and
[1:12:51] highlight work that has been
[1:12:52] done by the commission. The
[1:12:54] report provides a clear summary
[1:12:57] of the commission's work and
[1:12:58] accomplishments that highlights
[1:13:00] four areas, structure,
[1:13:01] continuing initiatives,
[1:13:02] collaboration and legislative
[1:13:03] engagement. In terms of
[1:13:04] structure, the commission
[1:13:05] updated its bylaws, clarified
[1:13:07] its mission and my duties,
[1:13:10] strengthened recruitment and
[1:13:11] added a commissioner spotlight
[1:13:13] to share individual
[1:13:14] contributions. Continuing
[1:13:14] initiatives included the
[1:13:15] small-scale housing report,
[1:13:17] which we believe is going to be
[1:13:19] one more part of the housing
[1:13:21] inventory that we need to make
[1:13:23] sure people have a path from
[1:13:25] shelters to permanent supportive
[1:13:27] housing. That is a very, very
[1:13:28] gaping absence between those two
[1:13:33] polar ends, shelters and
[1:13:34] permanent supportive housing.
[1:13:36] we also supported the warm
[1:13:39] program, which was the motel
[1:13:40] vouchers, for students and
[1:13:42] families in our five unified
[1:13:46] school districts that have
[1:13:47] access to shelter when the
[1:13:49] rain -- rainy and cold season
[1:13:52] are here. Also updates on the
[1:13:54] homeless prevention
[1:13:55] stabilization program, we have
[1:13:57] to now all of our slots filled,
[1:13:59] families that are now receiving
[1:14:01] support, not only funding, but
[1:14:04] services to make sure that they
[1:14:06] are not suffering from unlawful
[1:14:09] detainers and evictions, and
[1:14:11] they all seem to be so far doing
[1:14:14] well in the program. On
[1:14:16] collaboration, the commission
[1:14:17] has partnered with continuum of
[1:14:19] care board on the 2025 homeless
[1:14:22] survey to review and discuss the
[1:14:23] pace at which our residents are
[1:14:24] entering homelessness and the
[1:14:26] causes behind that. Respect
[1:14:26] to -- with respect to
[1:14:30] legislation, commissioners
[1:14:30] received briefings on the
[1:14:33] relevant state and federal laws
[1:14:33] and submitted letters urging
[1:14:36] collaboration funding for
[1:14:37] expiring hehv vouchers, renewing
[1:14:40] coc grants and offering input to
[1:14:43] the safe task force on
[1:14:46] encampment clean-ups. So this
[1:14:49] report addresses homelessness in
[1:14:50] orange county with dedication
[1:14:51] and strategic work and
[1:14:52] collaboration approach. We have
[1:14:55] a long way to go, much adieu,
[1:14:57] problems not solved but I
[1:15:00] believe that the commission's on
[1:15:00] the right path to making sure
[1:15:03] and identifying the priorities,
[1:15:04] especially prevention, knowing
[1:15:06] that's something that renders
[1:15:07] results, is cost-effective and
[1:15:09] efficient. So with that,
[1:15:11] mr. Chair, I'll go ahead and
[1:15:12] pass it to you.
[1:15:14] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank you
[1:15:14] for comments. Now we go back to
[1:15:15] consent calendar item 1, we have
[1:15:18] a request from a member of the
[1:15:19] public. Madam clerk, would you
[1:15:22] please call that member of the
[1:15:22] public.
[1:15:30] >>clerk, robin stieler: 1. Under
[1:15:31] chair chaffee - commission to
[1:15:32] address homelessness - reappoint
[1:15:32] gina cunningham orange, kelly
[1:15:33] bruno-nelson, long beach, for
[1:15:34] terms ending 4/14/28; appoint
[1:15:35] adam foster, la habra, for term
[1:15:36] ending 4/14/28; and approve
[1:15:36] waiver of residency
[1:15:37] requirements.
[1:15:37] and we have two requests to
[1:15:41] speak, paul hayek and david
[1:15:42] duran.
[1:15:55] >>speaker: good morning,
[1:15:58] council, chair people. On this
[1:16:00] we need to get rid of the "no
[1:16:03] walk-in" rule for the homeless
[1:16:06] shelters to get those that are
[1:16:07] not families often street
[1:16:09] because I have a friend who got
[1:16:12] two tickets for camping.
[1:16:15] >>chair, doug chaffee: sir this
[1:16:15] is about appointments.
[1:16:17] >>speaker: we need make sure
[1:16:20] that whoever we appoint looks at
[1:16:22] places like bridges and kraemer,
[1:16:25] la mesa, the homeless shelters.
[1:16:30] that would help those that are
[1:16:33] not family members to get off
[1:16:34] the street, and let's give them
[1:16:36] jobs while they're in the
[1:16:38] shelters.
[1:16:39] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:16:40] you.
[1:16:41] >>clerk, robin stieler: last
[1:16:43] speaker is david duran.
[1:16:45] >>chair, doug chaffee: may I
[1:16:45] have a motion on item 1.
[1:16:47] >>clerk, robin stieler:
[1:16:47] mr. Chair, one more speaker.
[1:16:49] >>chair, doug chaffee: sorry.
[1:16:50] go ahead.
[1:16:51] >>clerk, robin stieler: last
[1:16:52] speaker is david duran.
[1:16:54] >>speaker: I would like to first
[1:16:57] preface the idea that the
[1:17:01] supervisor, or at least three of
[1:17:02] the supervisors, recognized
[1:17:04] community today. Thank you.
[1:17:11] part 2 is -- has to do directly
[1:17:15] with the appointments of the
[1:17:18] commission to address -- really
[1:17:21] should be end homelessness --
[1:17:26] but address homelessness. And
[1:17:29] I'm in strong opposition that,
[1:17:30] unless the commission has
[1:17:31] changed something, that district
[1:17:35] attorney spitzer sits on that
[1:17:37] commission, already convicted of
[1:17:43] sexual harassment multiple
[1:17:45] times. Has cost the county
[1:17:46] millions of dollars in legal
[1:17:47] fees, and yet you recognize him
[1:17:50] as a leader. He's voiced his
[1:17:54] opinion during meetings that he
[1:17:58] is a proponent of treatment
[1:18:01] first, not housing first. I
[1:18:08] don't believe is qualified to
[1:18:09] sit on that commission. If you
[1:18:13] don't have the guts or the power
[1:18:17] to remove him, at least state
[1:18:21] so, at least verbalize to the
[1:18:22] public, tell the public that
[1:18:27] you're asking for his
[1:18:28] resignation because of who he is
[1:18:32] and how he's conducted himself.
[1:18:34] I would hope that everybody on
[1:18:36] that commission is a better
[1:18:39] citizen than our district
[1:18:41] attorney has proven that he is.
[1:18:44] secondly, I'm hoping that sb-707
[1:18:49] is implemented for that
[1:18:50] meeting --
[1:18:53] >>don wagner: mr. Chairman, this
[1:18:55] is the appointment, good or bad
[1:18:57] of ms. Cunningham, not
[1:18:59] mr. Spitzer or anything else
[1:19:01] being done by council. I move
[1:19:03] the order of the day.
[1:19:04] >>chair, doug chaffee: are you
[1:19:04] referring to one of the people
[1:19:06] up for appointment? Who are you
[1:19:08] talking about?
[1:19:08] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[1:19:09] there's only one person.
[1:19:11] >>chair, doug chaffee: this is
[1:19:12] item 1 on the consent calendar.
[1:19:13] >>speaker: again, it's -- it has
[1:19:15] to do with the commission to
[1:19:16] address homelessness and the
[1:19:18] people that have been appointed.
[1:19:20] >>chair, doug chaffee: but
[1:19:20] that's not on the agenda. This
[1:19:22] is appointment of people to the
[1:19:23] commission.
[1:19:24] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: it's
[1:19:25] three specific people.
[1:19:26] >>speaker: thank you for your
[1:19:27] lack of interest.
[1:19:28] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:19:29] you. All right.
[1:19:32] >>clerk, robin stieler: no
[1:19:33] further speakers, mr. Chair.
[1:19:36] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[1:19:36] supervisor sarmiento.
[1:19:39] >>vincente sarmiento: yes, thank
[1:19:39] you, I'll be supporting the
[1:19:41] appointments, and I think just
[1:19:43] to clarify the appointments that
[1:19:44] are being considered today, gina
[1:19:46] cunningham from orange, she's
[1:19:48] the executive director of
[1:19:49] homemade of orange county,
[1:19:52] los angeles and also kelley
[1:19:52] bruno-nelson from long beach.
[1:19:56] her term -- she is the executive
[1:19:58] director of cal-aim and also an
[1:20:02] employee at caloptima and it's
[1:20:04] also to appoint anna foster with
[1:20:06] the la hambra police department,
[1:20:09] adam foster, he is a police
[1:20:10] chief, as well. Those are the
[1:20:12] appointments we are considering.
[1:20:13] to mr. Duran's point, the seat
[1:20:15] held by d.a. Spitzer was
[1:20:16] considered by the commission. I
[1:20:18] personally had to struggle and
[1:20:21] ensure that all seats made
[1:20:23] sense, that there was some nexus
[1:20:25] between who was sitting in them
[1:20:26] and the relevance and the effort
[1:20:30] and the connection that they
[1:20:31] would have with the mission that
[1:20:34] the commission had. So there
[1:20:35] was that discussion at
[1:20:36] commission with the membership
[1:20:40] ad hoc, as well. So your
[1:20:41] concerns were ones that were
[1:20:43] concerned by others on the
[1:20:44] commission. So it was
[1:20:45] definitely deliberated. But
[1:20:47] today we're just simply looking
[1:20:49] at these three appointments.
[1:20:50] and with that, I'll turn it back
[1:20:52] over.
[1:20:53] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:20:54] you, supervisor. It's been
[1:20:55] moved and second.
[1:20:56] >>clerk, robin stieler: I have a
[1:20:57] motion by supervisor wagner and
[1:20:59] did I hear a second?
[1:21:01] >>janet nguyen: nguyen.
[1:21:02] >>clerk, robin stieler: all
[1:21:04] right. Thank you.
[1:21:04] >>chair, doug chaffee: motion
[1:21:05] carries. And thankful that we
[1:21:06] have qualified people to serve
[1:21:08] on that commission and there are
[1:21:10] three of them being appointed
[1:21:11] today. Now I'm going to go to
[1:21:14] item 32, which is a public
[1:21:16] hearing. Madam clerk.
[1:21:18] >>clerk, robin stieler: 32.
[1:21:19] under
[1:21:20] county counsel - under
[1:21:21] government
[1:21:22] code section 7283.1, conduct
[1:21:23] public hearing regarding
[1:21:24] transparent review of unjust
[1:21:25] transfers and holds (truth) act;
[1:21:27] and receive and file information
[1:21:28] from county law enforcement
[1:21:29] departments regarding
[1:21:30] immigration
[1:21:32] and customs enforcement's access
[1:21:32] to individuals in 2025.
[1:21:39] >>speaker: I'm going to open the
[1:21:40] public hearing.
[1:21:42] >>clerk, robin stieler: we have
[1:21:44] received 11 requests.
[1:21:45] >>chair, doug chaffee: please
[1:21:46] call the speakers.
[1:21:52] >>clerk, robin stieler: alice
[1:21:56] soto, david duran and logan
[1:21:57] smith.
[1:22:08] >>speaker: good morning,
[1:22:08] supervisors. I have not been to
[1:22:10] one of these before. If there
[1:22:13] has been one, I was interested
[1:22:16] in hearing specifically from the
[1:22:20] sheriff's department on the
[1:22:22] process through which the truth
[1:22:25] act interview consent forms are
[1:22:26] done. I have to say when I
[1:22:28] looked at this information, it
[1:22:29] looked pretty clean, pretty
[1:22:33] doable and also it looked like
[1:22:37] the numbers were well-given.
[1:22:40] the reasons for people being
[1:22:42] incarcerated as well. And then
[1:22:44] I asked myself, if I were a
[1:22:47] person who was being asked to go
[1:22:50] through this interview,
[1:22:52] evidently I have a choice, how
[1:22:55] respectful is that choice? I
[1:23:00] notice the forms are in english.
[1:23:01] I would hope that they are in
[1:23:02] other languages. I want to hear
[1:23:04] that. And also the amount of an
[1:23:08] individual would have between
[1:23:09] the time they are given this
[1:23:12] particular information sheet and
[1:23:17] the time that they have to pleat
[1:23:19] it. I'm a highly-educated
[1:23:22] individual, and I have a hard
[1:23:24] time just because I lack spatial
[1:23:26] intelligence to be able to go
[1:23:29] through a process like this
[1:23:30] without having a lot of thinking
[1:23:33] going on. I have a tendency to
[1:23:35] miss information. And if I am
[1:23:38] in a hurried situation or an
[1:23:40] intimidating situation, although
[1:23:43] it is stated that they are not
[1:23:45] intimidated, I'm not sure what
[1:23:47] that means. The very fact of
[1:23:50] being surrounded by police force
[1:23:53] and I.c.e. In particular would
[1:23:55] intimidate the hell out of me.
[1:23:57] so I want to be able to go away
[1:24:02] understanding exactly how this
[1:24:04] process works, not just the end
[1:24:08] results. Thank you.
[1:24:11] >>chair, doug chaffee: next
[1:24:12] speaker, please.
[1:24:26] >>speaker: I too echo the
[1:24:30] comments of alice on the
[1:24:35] community that surrounds orange
[1:24:37] county and how the sheriffs are
[1:24:42] interacting and how they do in
[1:24:47] fact intimidate. Are they
[1:24:52] acting lawfully? And more
[1:24:54] importantly, are they acting
[1:24:57] with humanity? Keep in mind the
[1:25:08] effects of someone who is being
[1:25:11] deported unjustly. Keep in mind
[1:25:17] the effects -- the aftermath of
[1:25:20] what happened to that
[1:25:22] individual's children, what
[1:25:26] happens if they are the bred
[1:25:28] winner. Does that put more
[1:25:32] people on the streets to become
[1:25:33] unhoused? So an act of the
[1:25:39] sheriffs to quote/unquote follow
[1:25:41] the law, what is more important?
[1:25:49] is it law or is it the value of
[1:25:52] human life that the sheriff
[1:25:55] argues is for the safety of the
[1:25:57] community? The supervisors, the
[1:26:05] sheriff have the power to do
[1:26:10] what's right. It's sometimes
[1:26:15] more important than to do what's
[1:26:17] lawful. As all of you look down
[1:26:23] and ignore --
[1:26:24] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: I
[1:26:26] wasn't ignoring you.
[1:26:28] >>speaker: I just want to
[1:26:31] document lack of understanding,
[1:26:32] the lack of care, the lack of
[1:26:34] attention the supervisors quite
[1:26:37] often give people who come to
[1:26:39] this microphone to speak. So
[1:26:46] you can go about your day. If
[1:26:49] you're not an immigrant, then
[1:26:51] you have nothing to worry about.
[1:26:54] you can just enjoy your day.
[1:26:58] but there's a community out
[1:26:59] there that needs help, not
[1:27:05] arrest, not deportation. Think
[1:27:09] about that while you're trying
[1:27:11] to go to sleep.
[1:27:16] >>clerk, robin stieler: the next
[1:27:18] three speakers norma, karen, and
[1:27:20] kelsey gordon.
[1:27:23] >>speaker: my name is logan
[1:27:24] smith and we continue to express
[1:27:27] concern about the orange county
[1:27:30] sheriff's department still
[1:27:33] choosing to transfer people to
[1:27:34] I.c.e. Without judicial
[1:27:36] warrants. The increase in
[1:27:37] I.c.e. Transfers this year
[1:27:38] appears to be driven by judicial
[1:27:41] warrants but still the vast
[1:27:42] majority that osc transferred to
[1:27:44] I.c.e. In the past year were
[1:27:46] transferred voluntarily rather
[1:27:47] than in response to judicial
[1:27:48] warrants. Contact with I.c.e.
[1:27:49] has always been risky for
[1:27:51] community members but over the
[1:27:53] last year I.c.e. Has become even
[1:27:54] more opaque and conditions in
[1:27:56] its facilities and the private
[1:27:57] prisons it contracts with are
[1:27:59] even more brutal. More than
[1:28:01] ever ocs continually voluntarily
[1:28:06] poses a risk to public safety
[1:28:08] soley transferring to I.c.e. At
[1:28:09] least 12 people including 2 u.s.
[1:28:13] citizens have died in I.c.e.
[1:28:13] custody by mass federal agents
[1:28:16] in the streets of america.
[1:28:16] every time sheriff barnes and
[1:28:19] his deputies send another
[1:28:20] community member into the
[1:28:20] clutches of the same federal
[1:28:21] authorities, they're rolling the
[1:28:23] dice with the continued survival
[1:28:25] of mothers, fathers, sons and
[1:28:27] daughters. It is more urgent
[1:28:28] than ever that osc align itself
[1:28:30] with the majority of sheriff's
[1:28:31] departments in the state of
[1:28:33] california and stop this deeply
[1:28:34] harmful practice. Thank you.
[1:28:35] [ applause ]
[1:28:38] >>chair, doug chaffee: next
[1:28:39] speaker, please.
[1:28:42] >>speaker: good morning, board
[1:28:44] of supervisors. My name is
[1:28:45] norma palacios, organizing
[1:28:49] manager for the california
[1:28:50] immigrant policy center. We are
[1:28:51] a statewide organization
[1:28:53] advancing policies to protect
[1:28:54] the rights of immigrants. I am
[1:28:57] here to speak on item 32
[1:28:58] regarding the review of the
[1:29:02] unjust and transparency we are
[1:29:04] deeply concerned about the high
[1:29:05] volume of people that the
[1:29:06] sheriff department has
[1:29:08] transferred to immigration
[1:29:12] custom enforcement. It's
[1:29:13] alarming that they've
[1:29:15] transferred over 200 community
[1:29:16] members to I.c.e. In 2025. It
[1:29:18] puts their health, safety, lives
[1:29:19] and legal rights at risk.
[1:29:21] detention centers expose people
[1:29:24] to dangerous conditions, the
[1:29:27] facilities have failed to meet
[1:29:28] basic standards of care such as
[1:29:30] urgent medical care, food,
[1:29:32] water, and hygiene supplies.
[1:29:35] the people who were transferred
[1:29:36] to I.c.e. Were residents of
[1:29:37] orange county and should have
[1:29:38] been given the opportunity to
[1:29:39] return home after serving their
[1:29:40] time. The continued conclusion
[1:29:43] with federal immigration
[1:29:43] enforcement will only continue
[1:29:45] to drive fear among immigrant
[1:29:47] communities and encourage them
[1:29:48] from accessing emergency and
[1:29:50] essential services which would
[1:29:52] only undermine them their safety
[1:29:55] and health. We urge you to end
[1:29:57] I.c.e. Transfers. L.a. County
[1:29:58] did this in 2000, and now the
[1:30:00] l.a. Sheriff's department
[1:30:02] transfer zero people to I.c.e.
[1:30:04] each year. County resources
[1:30:05] should not be sent to aid and
[1:30:07] intensify I.c.e. Enforcement but
[1:30:09] instead be reserved for
[1:30:11] resources like healthcare, food,
[1:30:12] affordable housing and
[1:30:14] education. It's also important
[1:30:15] that as long as I.c.e. Has
[1:30:17] access to people in the
[1:30:18] sheriff's department, custody,
[1:30:21] that more information is made
[1:30:22] available about those
[1:30:22] interactions. Thank you for
[1:30:24] considering our position and
[1:30:25] requests.
[1:30:26] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:30:27] you. Next speaker, please.
[1:30:28] [ applause ]
[1:30:35] >>speaker: hello, my name is
[1:30:37] karen hernandez. I am with the
[1:30:39] orange county rapid response
[1:30:41] network, and I am a resident of
[1:30:43] anaheim in vincent sarmiento's
[1:30:47] district. I'm here to talk
[1:30:48] about the truth act, which we
[1:30:51] know is about transparency and
[1:30:52] trust. And for many of our
[1:30:55] community interaction women's
[1:30:55] grace enforcement have been
[1:30:57] deeply personal, including for
[1:30:58] me. Leaving devastating and
[1:31:00] lasting effects on families.
[1:31:03] I'm honestly like -- really
[1:31:07] angry that I have to be here
[1:31:09] today because there are counties
[1:31:11] like l.a. That are currently not
[1:31:12] transferring people, and the
[1:31:13] amount of work that the 300-plus
[1:31:15] volunteers that work with ocr
[1:31:18] have to take away from our day
[1:31:20] of supporting the impacted
[1:31:22] community members and their
[1:31:23] families who have lost
[1:31:24] breadwinners, who have lost, you
[1:31:27] know, their fathers, their
[1:31:28] mothers, their kids, it's
[1:31:30] devastating. It is really
[1:31:32] devastating. Orange county for
[1:31:34] a very long time has transferred
[1:31:35] and continues to transfer more
[1:31:37] people to I.c.e. Than any other
[1:31:40] county in the state. It's not
[1:31:44] because we have more criminals.
[1:31:46] it's because policing originated
[1:31:49] from slave paroles and continues
[1:31:50] to this day in this county.
[1:31:52] this is an issue about race. And
[1:31:53] I sheriff don barns is a
[1:31:55] deporter in chief. I'd also
[1:31:57] like to read a people in a good
[1:31:59] friend of mine who's a black
[1:32:01] organizer from anaheim, her name
[1:32:03] is karemi, wrote, it's called
[1:32:06] just another black life that
[1:32:07] mattered in a world undeserving.
[1:32:08] a poem written on another day
[1:32:10] when another black person died
[1:32:11] in a detention center and/or a
[1:32:13] jail and/or a prison, somewhere
[1:32:15] in the united states of america.
[1:32:17] criminal and/or immigrant,
[1:32:18] caged, incarcerated and/or
[1:32:21] detained, because that taillight
[1:32:24] was out, and your skin was dark,
[1:32:26] and you looked like deep trouble
[1:32:27] to me. Worth your weight in
[1:32:29] gold in my vault. Look down at
[1:32:31] you from my horse, restrict your
[1:32:34] hopes and dreams and movements
[1:32:35] from my goals. Are you a
[1:32:36] number, an inmate, and/or
[1:32:37] detainee. Don't you know you
[1:32:39] could never float, let alone
[1:32:43] fly? Good thing you got thick
[1:32:45] skin, hard bones and working
[1:32:47] hands for me. Don't matter your
[1:32:49] accent or passport. Know a
[1:32:52] place for your kind, too black
[1:32:53] to be child or elder or pregnant
[1:32:55] or human. Just a number in a
[1:32:57] cage. So shackled and
[1:32:58] restrained. World use to your
[1:33:03] pain for our gain. Too bad you
[1:33:05] became another name in the
[1:33:07] grave. Only you to blame.
[1:33:09] don't worry, I built a system
[1:33:09] very well-sustained. Pick
[1:33:11] another one of use to abuse and
[1:33:14] minimize, reduce and strength in
[1:33:16] size, watch you fall like place
[1:33:16] to, just another black life.
[1:33:20] finally I just want to send this
[1:33:22] by saying that without
[1:33:26] transparency, we can't build
[1:33:28] trust. Without trust, our
[1:33:32] communities are less safe.
[1:33:33] thanks.
[1:33:35] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:33:35] you, ma'am. May we have the
[1:33:36] next speaker, please.
[1:33:38] >>clerk, robin stieler: next
[1:33:40] three speakers are cheryl long,
[1:33:41] felicity and sandra deonda.
[1:33:44] >>speaker: good morning, my name
[1:33:45] is chelsea and I'm an anaheim
[1:33:47] resident. I'm here today
[1:33:48] because of the truth act and
[1:33:52] call for an end to I.c.e.
[1:33:55] transfers. As a member of the
[1:33:55] orange county rapid response
[1:33:57] network every day I take calls
[1:33:58] from individuals and families
[1:33:59] impacted by the immigration
[1:34:00] system. Immigrants are
[1:34:03] disproportionately pushed into
[1:34:05] deportation by over-policing and
[1:34:07] I.c.e. Collaboration with local
[1:34:08] law enforcement, especially in
[1:34:10] black communities. Orange
[1:34:11] county also has the highest
[1:34:12] number of prop 36 filings not
[1:34:15] box office our more criminals
[1:34:15] but because of our racist
[1:34:16] systems and the d.a.'s office's
[1:34:19] choice to charge so many
[1:34:21] community members makes them
[1:34:22] further vulnerable to systematic
[1:34:24] abuses and I.c.e. Transfers. In
[1:34:26] 2025 transfers have
[1:34:28] disproportionately targeted
[1:34:29] mexican, vietnamese, and central
[1:34:31] american communities. It is not
[1:34:33] a coincidence but a systematic
[1:34:34] inequity in action and demands
[1:34:36] accountability. Black migrants
[1:34:37] are only about 6% of the
[1:34:39] imprisoned I.c.e. Population but
[1:34:41] nearly 30% of abuse complaints
[1:34:42] which indicates that black
[1:34:43] people are detained and
[1:34:45] disproportionately abused
[1:34:47] according to bodies 2022 report
[1:34:49] uncovering the truth, violence
[1:34:51] and abuse against black migrants
[1:34:52] and immigration detention.
[1:34:54] individuals transferred to
[1:34:55] I.c.e. Detention from local
[1:34:56] sheriffs custody have no avenues
[1:34:57] for proper medication given to
[1:34:59] them. They have been several
[1:35:02] cases already named in orange
[1:35:02] county where people have died.
[1:35:04] policing, including I.c.e., do
[1:35:06] not keep people safe. And while
[1:35:09] the truth act is about
[1:35:10] transparency, without the
[1:35:11] transparency we cannot build
[1:35:13] trust, and without trust our
[1:35:14] communities are less safe and
[1:35:16] less connected.
[1:35:17] we care about this county and
[1:35:18] immigrant families and ask that
[1:35:18] you listen to this. Thank you
[1:35:21] for your time, and no transfers
[1:35:21] in oc.
[1:35:23] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:35:24] you. May we have the next
[1:35:26] speaker?
[1:35:29] >>speaker: good morning,
[1:35:32] supervisor. I am dr. Cheryl
[1:35:34] long, and I'm a long-time
[1:35:35] resident of irvine since 1980.
[1:35:37] I am here to ask that each you
[1:35:39] as the orange county board of
[1:35:40] supervisors enforce the truth
[1:35:42] act. The enforcement is needed
[1:35:43] to successfully protect every
[1:35:45] orange county resident from the
[1:35:47] injustices of the lawless,
[1:35:49] excessively violent actions up
[1:35:52] to and including murder and
[1:35:54] inhumane actions of unvetted,
[1:35:56] partially-trained, masked,
[1:35:57] unidentifiable agents work for
[1:36:00] various prospected him grace
[1:36:02] agencies under dhs, but also
[1:36:04] including the fbi. I reference
[1:36:06] these collectively as simply
[1:36:08] I.c.e., making the lawlessness
[1:36:09] even worse is the use of a
[1:36:11] bounty as a reward for catching
[1:36:13] people of color regardless of
[1:36:15] their legal status up to and
[1:36:17] including citizenship. A bounty
[1:36:19] become as reward based on the
[1:36:21] numbers of and not legality nor
[1:36:24] accuracy of targeting. It is
[1:36:26] overwhelmingly dehumanizing the
[1:36:28] individuals being abducted.
[1:36:29] this is un-american, and it is
[1:36:31] inhumane. Because I.c.e. Is no
[1:36:33] longer function as a normal
[1:36:34] agency when -- within the law, I
[1:36:36] am asking that you direct the
[1:36:39] orange county sheriff's
[1:36:39] department to stop work it
[1:36:42] anyway with I.c.e. I.c.e. Is no
[1:36:44] longer serving our country. Ask
[1:36:46] the orange county sheriff's
[1:36:47] department to stop doubling down
[1:36:50] in their enforcement to arrest
[1:36:52] community members that they can
[1:36:53] filter into the deportation
[1:36:55] pipeline. The sheriff's 202045
[1:36:59] systematic reveals systematic
[1:37:02] inequity and action in the
[1:37:05] over-representation of mexican,
[1:37:07] vietnamese, and central
[1:37:08] americans. As physicians we
[1:37:10] take an oath to care for all
[1:37:12] people and to do no harm. As
[1:37:14] law enforcement, the orange
[1:37:14] county sheriffs have taken an
[1:37:17] oath to protect constitution and
[1:37:18] as written the rights of all
[1:37:20] people. I.c.e. Has overtly
[1:37:22] violated the constitution in
[1:37:23] many ways and more egregiously
[1:37:26] due process. Thus the sheriffs
[1:37:28] are not upholding their oath if
[1:37:30] they transfer americans to
[1:37:31] I.c.e. As a physician, I speak
[1:37:33] to the life-threatening risks as
[1:37:34] well as the inhumanity of not
[1:37:36] allowing individuals expedient
[1:37:38] access and really any access at
[1:37:40] all to their need medications
[1:37:42] when they are transferred from
[1:37:43] I.c.e. Custody -- from sheriffs
[1:37:45] custody to I.c.e. Detention.
[1:37:47] over 31 individuals have died in
[1:37:48] I.c.e. Detention including at
[1:37:49] least one resident from costa
[1:37:51] mesa and one from huntington
[1:37:53] beach that we know of. Thank
[1:37:55] you for your time, and I hope
[1:37:56] that you will fully seem your
[1:37:57] role as a critical overseeing
[1:37:59] body for the sheriff's
[1:38:00] department and that you enforce
[1:38:02] all aspects of the truth act to
[1:38:04] protect all of your
[1:38:05] constituents. Simply stated, we
[1:38:08] demand that there are zero
[1:38:09] transfers to I.c.e. In orange
[1:38:09] county. Thank you for your
[1:38:11] time.
[1:38:13] [ applause ]
[1:38:18] >>speaker: good morning, my name
[1:38:20] is felicity. I've lived in
[1:38:22] irvine for over 30 years, the
[1:38:24] immediate past president of the
[1:38:26] newport mesa irvine interfaith
[1:38:28] council, although, this morning
[1:38:29] I'm speaking as a private
[1:38:30] citizen. I'm extremely
[1:38:33] disappointed that with all of
[1:38:33] the information we now have
[1:38:34] regarding how I.c.e. Transfers
[1:38:36] actually make our community less
[1:38:38] safe here in orange county they
[1:38:40] are still happening at a rapid
[1:38:41] pace. When it comes to
[1:38:42] notifying I.c.e. When they can
[1:38:46] pick up undocumented inmates --
[1:38:48] immigrants, nobody in california
[1:38:49] does it as much as orange
[1:38:50] county. In 2019 and 2020 the
[1:38:52] orange county sheriff's
[1:38:53] department transferred the
[1:38:54] largest number of people over to
[1:38:56] I.c.e. Of all california
[1:38:57] counties. Twice as many as the
[1:38:59] number 2 county san diego which
[1:39:01] has a slightly larger population
[1:39:02] than oc and in 2020 they
[1:39:04] transferred even more than l.a.
[1:39:05] county, which has three times
[1:39:07] our population. 2022 data shows
[1:39:09] that sheriff barnes fully
[1:39:12] intended to transfer 155 people
[1:39:15] over to I.c.e. Although I.c.e.
[1:39:16] only accepted 17, which
[1:39:18] demonstrates the blatant
[1:39:20] overreach of the county
[1:39:22] department. In 2023, the
[1:39:23] sheriff's department referred
[1:39:24] twice as many community members,
[1:39:27] 300 to I.c.e., and ultimately
[1:39:29] transferred 221. That's an
[1:39:31] increase of 1200%. The numbers
[1:39:35] went new24, to 228. And last
[1:39:38] year I.c.e. Transfers through
[1:39:39] I.c.e. Detainers increased once
[1:39:43] again by close to 9%, rising to
[1:39:44] 239 people transferred. In
[1:39:46] addition, 2025 transfers have
[1:39:49] disproportionately targeted
[1:39:51] mexican, vietnamese, and central
[1:39:54] american communities making this
[1:39:55] a racial justice issue. There
[1:39:56] are multiple counties in
[1:39:58] california that don't allow any
[1:39:59] transfers from county jails to
[1:40:01] detention facilities with
[1:40:02] absolutely no negative
[1:40:03] consequences. Those counties
[1:40:04] realize that transferring people
[1:40:06] to I.c.e. After they have
[1:40:08] finished their sentences, then
[1:40:11] rehabilitate -- been
[1:40:12] rehabilitated, deemed ready to
[1:40:14] go back to society by the parole
[1:40:16] board or even the governor is
[1:40:17] both pointless or
[1:40:19] counter-productive. What good
[1:40:20] is accomplished by separating a
[1:40:22] shattering family by denying a
[1:40:23] household its principal
[1:40:25] breadwinner or by leaving
[1:40:26] american-born children with
[1:40:27] either parents to care for them.
[1:40:30] local law enforcement are acting
[1:40:33] as immigration police and public
[1:40:35] trustee roads. Witnesses do not
[1:40:36] come forward, domestic violence
[1:40:38] survivors will remain silent and
[1:40:40] even victims of crimes are
[1:40:42] afraid to speak out for fear of
[1:40:44] putting themselves or their
[1:40:46] loved ones in jeopardy. This
[1:40:49] puts all community members in
[1:40:51] danger, not to mention the
[1:40:52] economic toll in our communities
[1:40:54] when our local and state tax
[1:40:56] dollars are being used to do the
[1:40:57] work of federal agents instead
[1:41:00] of providing much-needed
[1:41:01] resources for our own residents.
[1:41:04] no one should be subjected to
[1:41:07] double punishment after they
[1:41:08] have served their time and ready
[1:41:09] to become contributing members
[1:41:11] of their community. And that's
[1:41:13] why I say for the sake of every
[1:41:15] oc resident, end all I.c.e.
[1:41:18] transfers now. Thank you.
[1:41:20] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:41:20] you.
[1:41:20] >>clerk, robin stieler: after
[1:41:21] sandra, the last two speakers
[1:41:23] are jahira and amy s.
[1:41:32] >>speaker: good morning, board
[1:41:33] of supervisor. My name is sandra
[1:41:35] de anda and I'm the director of
[1:41:38] policy and legal strategy at the
[1:41:40] orange county rapid response
[1:41:41] network. I am also a
[1:41:43] constituent of district 2. I'm
[1:41:45] here to speak on item 32, the
[1:41:47] truth act. My colleagues and
[1:41:50] community members have been
[1:41:52] track I.c.e. Enforcement trends
[1:41:54] since our inception in 2017. In
[1:41:57] doing, so last year was an
[1:41:59] immensely heavy task as we saw
[1:42:02] dhs tactics become more inhumane
[1:42:06] and a spectacle of suffering for
[1:42:07] immigrant and refugee
[1:42:10] communities. All while, our
[1:42:12] sheriff was transferring around
[1:42:17] 50 to 70 community members a
[1:42:19] month behind closed doors
[1:42:20] through our jail system. The
[1:42:21] 2025 I.c.e. Transfer data shows
[1:42:24] us that our mexican, central
[1:42:26] american and vietnamese
[1:42:27] community members the most
[1:42:30] criminalized by this county's
[1:42:32] discretionary policy at a time
[1:42:35] when our communities continue to
[1:42:37] go further into the shadows,
[1:42:40] many of them failing to be
[1:42:43] beneficiaries of the county's
[1:42:45] health agency. We know that the
[1:42:47] oc sheriffs screened 824
[1:42:51] community members, even though
[1:42:53] only 501 of our community
[1:42:55] members were not transferred to
[1:42:56] I.c.e. We know that sb-54 is
[1:43:00] functioning as a real barrier to
[1:43:02] this discretionary deportation
[1:43:05] pipeline. A deportation
[1:43:08] pipeline that we know is not
[1:43:10] enough for the sheriff as the
[1:43:12] sheriff also transferred at
[1:43:14] least 32 community members to
[1:43:16] I.c.e., not through the
[1:43:17] traditional I.c.e. Detainer
[1:43:20] process, but through judicial
[1:43:21] warrants. Our team believes
[1:43:25] this may be in line with the
[1:43:27] bill of salaries project
[1:43:30] guardian angel enforcement
[1:43:31] practice, an enforcement
[1:43:34] operation meant to bypass sb-54.
[1:43:39] our colleagues and myself, with
[1:43:41] dough this work, right, because
[1:43:42] we believe that our community
[1:43:45] members are more than numbers
[1:43:48] and statistics, and we know that
[1:43:54] detention at the root of it
[1:43:55] really is inhumane. I have had
[1:43:58] the great privilege, myself and
[1:43:59] my team, to speak to both orange
[1:44:00] county families whose loved ones
[1:44:03] died in detention last year so
[1:44:06] this included the costa mesa
[1:44:08] family, who did not receive the
[1:44:10] proper care in detention and
[1:44:11] also a huntington beach father
[1:44:14] whose also medical attention was
[1:44:18] neglected.
[1:44:21] so let's get rid this policy.
[1:44:24] we need trust, not I.c.e.
[1:44:26] transfers. Thank you.
[1:44:35] good morning. My name is
[1:44:38] jahira...
[1:44:47] your local immigrant and refugee
[1:44:53] communities face -- between
[1:44:59] federal agencies and the
[1:45:00] sheriff's department and other
[1:45:02] local participation in my role
[1:45:03] as a volunteer with the response
[1:45:04] network, I witnessed many
[1:45:06] families from receiving
[1:45:07] essential support services out
[1:45:09] of fear of encountering
[1:45:10] immigration or deputized local
[1:45:12] law enforcement officials on the
[1:45:14] way to receiving services.
[1:45:15] while others have elected to
[1:45:16] forgo essential services simply
[1:45:18] out of fear that their
[1:45:19] information will be shared by
[1:45:21] social services institutions
[1:45:22] with immigration agencies for
[1:45:23] purpose of enforcement as we
[1:45:24] heard from a couple of speakers.
[1:45:27] under the current immigration
[1:45:28] enforcement regime, immigrant
[1:45:30] and refugee communities are
[1:45:32] being forced to live under the
[1:45:33] radar, and in an effort to
[1:45:34] protect not only their family
[1:45:36] unit but also their health
[1:45:37] against the pervasive gaze of
[1:45:40] the immigration state. A key
[1:45:42] component driving this is
[1:45:43] suspicion of local collaboration
[1:45:44] with dhs agencies, although now
[1:45:47] we can confidently say with all
[1:45:49] federal agencies. That's why
[1:45:50] it's critical that ocsd be
[1:45:53] transparent about the types of
[1:45:54] detainer requests that they
[1:45:55] receive and honor and move to
[1:45:57] end such transfers. If
[1:45:59] self-isolation your vince not
[1:46:02] enough, it's critical that you
[1:46:03] recognize many oc families have
[1:46:04] come into the network safe space
[1:46:06] and expressed the barriers that
[1:46:08] they've faced and merely
[1:46:09] dropping off medication for
[1:46:10] their loved ones in federal
[1:46:12] intention progression
[1:46:13] facilities, resulting in your
[1:46:14] own community members suffering
[1:46:15] and dying from medical neglect
[1:46:18] within these facilities, many of
[1:46:19] whom who have ended up within
[1:46:21] these facilities through the
[1:46:22] sort of obscure forms of jail to
[1:46:26] I.c.e. Transfers. So the truth
[1:46:29] act is about ensuring that what
[1:46:30] happens in our communities is
[1:46:31] not hidden from the people in it
[1:46:32] affects. Without transparency
[1:46:35] we cannot build trust, and
[1:46:36] without trust, our communities
[1:46:38] are less safe and less
[1:46:39] connected. We care about this
[1:46:40] county and it's why so many of
[1:46:42] us are involved in this work,
[1:46:44] and we ask that you listen to us
[1:46:45] on these important issues raised
[1:46:47] today because they expand simply
[1:46:48] beyond jail to I.c.e. Transfers.
[1:46:50] and we demand zero transfers in
[1:46:52] oc. Thank you.
[1:46:54] >>chair, doug chaffee: next
[1:46:56] speaker, please.
[1:47:01] >>speaker: I'm amy. I'm a
[1:47:02] teacher, a volunteer, a wife, a
[1:47:04] mom, and a voter living in
[1:47:07] mission viejo. First I want to
[1:47:09] thank the three supervisors.
[1:47:12] supervisor foley, supervisor
[1:47:13] sarmiento, and supervisor
[1:47:14] chaffee who showed up on time
[1:47:17] today to acknowledge our iranian
[1:47:19] community. I'm sure you already
[1:47:21] know this. There are over
[1:47:23] 950,000 immigrants living in
[1:47:25] orange county. That means
[1:47:29] almost 1/3 of our residents were
[1:47:31] born outside the united states.
[1:47:34] they are our friends, our
[1:47:36] relatives, and our neighbors,
[1:47:38] and immigrants make orange
[1:47:39] county great, but right now due
[1:47:42] to I.c.e. Terrorizing our
[1:47:44] communities and the illegal
[1:47:45] transfer of people from sheriff
[1:47:46] custody to I.c.e., I'm seeing my
[1:47:49] friends and neighbors too
[1:47:51] terrified to take their children
[1:47:52] to school, to go to work
[1:47:54] themselves, or even to leave
[1:47:56] their homes to do basic things
[1:47:58] like get groceries or visit
[1:48:00] doctor. While these illegal
[1:48:02] detentions and transfers
[1:48:03] disproportionately affect black
[1:48:06] and brown people in our county,
[1:48:07] I just spoke to a white man
[1:48:10] yesterday from the u.k., who is
[1:48:10] in the process of working on his
[1:48:12] citizenship and has been for
[1:48:14] years. He's worried about being
[1:48:16] detained by law enforcement and
[1:48:18] how that might affect his
[1:48:19] chances of becoming a citizen
[1:48:20] and what might happen to his
[1:48:22] family, were he to be taken.
[1:48:25] but it shouldn't take an impact
[1:48:28] to white people for us to act
[1:48:29] against these illegal
[1:48:30] activities. This isn't public
[1:48:31] safety. This is disrupting
[1:48:33] people's lives, caution distrust
[1:48:36] in our institutions, and
[1:48:37] negatively impacting our
[1:48:39] communities and our local
[1:48:40] economy. A recent study by uci
[1:48:43] find drop in neighborhood
[1:48:45] economic output of almost $60
[1:48:47] million and a loss of $4.5
[1:48:50] million in sales tax in just
[1:48:52] eight weeks last summer. The
[1:48:54] truth act is about transparency.
[1:48:56] we need you. Our supervisors
[1:48:59] elected to serve all the people
[1:49:01] of orange county, to follow the law
[1:49:04] and demand the stop these
[1:49:06] illegal transfers between the oc
[1:49:09] sheriff's department and I.c.e.
[1:49:09] please do your duty and protect
[1:49:11] our community.
[1:49:15] [ applause ]
[1:49:18] >>chair, doug chaffee: is this
[1:49:20] our last speaker? Thank you.
[1:49:21] please go ahead sir.
[1:49:23] >>speaker: good morning, members
[1:49:24] of the board. My name is elmer
[1:49:27] flores. I'm a managing attorney
[1:49:29] at immigration, defenders law
[1:49:31] center. I'm here today to urge
[1:49:33] to you end the orange county
[1:49:35] sheriff's department
[1:49:37] collaboration with I.c.e., a
[1:49:38] practice that continues to harm
[1:49:40] thousands of our neighbors and
[1:49:42] undermine public safety. With
[1:49:43] offices throughout the state
[1:49:45] including santa ana,
[1:49:47] organizations the largest
[1:49:49] nonprofit deportation defense
[1:49:51] law firm in the state. Our team
[1:49:52] hears firsthand the stories of
[1:49:54] many community members who were
[1:49:55] unjustly detained by federal
[1:49:57] immigration officers. I witness
[1:50:00] how I.c.e. Agents arrested
[1:50:01] community members after the
[1:50:02] immigration hearings at the
[1:50:05] santa ana immigration court.
[1:50:06] california laws are clear, our
[1:50:09] state has chosen to protect
[1:50:11] public safety by ensuring local
[1:50:13] resources are not entangled with
[1:50:14] federal immigration enforcement.
[1:50:16] the truth act exists because
[1:50:18] transparency and accountability
[1:50:20] are essential when these
[1:50:22] entanglements occur. Today
[1:50:24] we're asking you to go further,
[1:50:26] to use your authority, and moral
[1:50:30] leadership to ensure that orange
[1:50:30] county is no longer an outlier
[1:50:34] in maintaining deep cooperations
[1:50:37] with I.c.e. It's time to align
[1:50:39] our county with these values.
[1:50:40] it's time to prioritize
[1:50:41] community safety over fear, and
[1:50:43] time to end policies that
[1:50:44] separate families, that depress
[1:50:48] our economy and damage public
[1:50:50] trust. I urge this board to
[1:50:51] take action to end ocsd's
[1:50:53] transfers to I.c.e. And create a
[1:50:55] county where all residents,
[1:50:57] regardless of immigration
[1:50:58] status, can live, work, and
[1:51:01] raise their families in safety
[1:51:02] and dignity. Thank you.
[1:51:05] >>clerk, robin stieler: no
[1:51:06] further speakers, mr. Chair.
[1:51:08] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[1:51:09] you. If there are no further
[1:51:10] speakers, I'm going to close the
[1:51:11] public hearing and bring it back
[1:51:13] to the board. This is an annual
[1:51:17] hearing that we're required to
[1:51:19] do. And I thank everyone for
[1:51:21] their time in coming here and
[1:51:23] sharing with us their view. So
[1:51:25] I'm not closing the public --
[1:51:27] I'm now closing the public
[1:51:29] hearing and bringing it back to
[1:51:30] the board. This is a "receive
[1:51:31] and file" item. There's no
[1:51:33] action that we're being asked to
[1:51:35] take, but if there are comments,
[1:51:38] questions, anyone has of our
[1:51:40] board before we receive and file
[1:51:42] it formally, I'm now open for
[1:51:45] that opportunity. Supervisor
[1:51:46] sarmiento.
[1:51:47] >>vincente sarmiento: thank you,
[1:51:47] mr. Chair. I'm not sure if you
[1:51:49] wanted to bring up the sheriff
[1:51:50] first, if there's any
[1:51:52] presentation that he wishes to
[1:51:53] offer.
[1:51:54] >>chair, doug chaffee: no.
[1:51:54] there's no presentation. You
[1:51:55] may ask questions if you wish.
[1:51:56] >>vincente sarmiento: thank you.
[1:51:57] in any event, I wanted to make
[1:51:58] sure we provided that
[1:51:59] opportunity for comments to be
[1:52:00] made. So let me thank everybody
[1:52:03] who came and spoke. I
[1:52:05] appreciate you all sharing your
[1:52:07] thoughts, and you've done this
[1:52:10] since I've been here, and so
[1:52:12] I've heard you cloud and clear,
[1:52:14] and I think all of us have.
[1:52:16] just so we can kind of recap,
[1:52:17] this is the -- it's a required
[1:52:19] public forum that the
[1:52:21] legislature has cast local
[1:52:24] communities to do. This is the
[1:52:25] california's transparent review
[1:52:28] of unjust transfers and holds
[1:52:30] act, and it requires communities
[1:52:32] provide this forum each year and
[1:52:35] inform the public about
[1:52:37] information and access to what
[1:52:40] policies and numbers and data
[1:52:43] regarding immigration and custom
[1:52:45] enforcement transfers by local
[1:52:48] law enforcement. So in any
[1:52:49] event, that is important for us
[1:52:51] to understand why we're here.
[1:52:53] it's a required public forum,
[1:52:55] and, you know, I wish we would
[1:52:57] just do this voluntarily, and
[1:52:58] hopefully we will continue if
[1:53:00] this is ever rescinded. What I
[1:53:02] also want to sort of clarify is
[1:53:04] that we're talking about
[1:53:05] transfers of people who have
[1:53:08] already done their time for an
[1:53:11] offense that they've committed.
[1:53:12] so this isn't -- what I hear in
[1:53:15] the public sometimes you're
[1:53:17] releasing undocumented people
[1:53:18] who have committed crimes out
[1:53:21] into the community. That's not
[1:53:22] the case. This is folks --
[1:53:25] these are folks who have
[1:53:26] committed offenses, they've
[1:53:28] served their time, and then they
[1:53:30] meet the criteria under sb-54 to
[1:53:36] be transferred. Now, many and
[1:53:39] most counties have chosen not to
[1:53:42] transfer folks to I.c.e. And
[1:53:46] this was well before this
[1:53:48] current administration has been
[1:53:49] in office. And I want to
[1:53:50] emphasize what we're looking at
[1:53:53] with I.c.e. And with the
[1:53:55] detention facilities is a very
[1:53:56] irregular setting and
[1:53:59] environment than what we've
[1:54:00] experienced in the past. These
[1:54:01] are, you know -- there are
[1:54:03] claims, and well-documented
[1:54:07] claims, that demonstrate a
[1:54:09] pattern and practice of conduct
[1:54:13] and treatment of once somebody
[1:54:15] has been detained, civil rights
[1:54:19] abuses, human rights abuses, it
[1:54:21] is considered a rogue agency, in
[1:54:23] my opinion. We also know that
[1:54:25] judicial orders have been
[1:54:26] ignored, people have been
[1:54:28] deported to third-party
[1:54:30] countries that they have had
[1:54:31] absolutely no connection to.
[1:54:33] there are documented reports of
[1:54:34] abuse of treatment during
[1:54:36] transport where people are
[1:54:37] shackled for hours on end,
[1:54:39] denied food, water, and restroom
[1:54:41] access while in transit to
[1:54:44] multiple locations. Medical
[1:54:46] conditions such as diabetes and
[1:54:47] asthma, which require monitoring
[1:54:50] and medication, are disregarded
[1:54:52] or ignored. When and if they
[1:54:54] finally make it to a detention
[1:54:56] center, the only way to find
[1:54:59] them through an unreliable track
[1:55:00] system that sometimes causes a
[1:55:02] person to essentially disappear
[1:55:04] for periods of time, making
[1:55:06] impossible for their counsel, if
[1:55:08] they have one, or their families
[1:55:10] to find them to provide vital
[1:55:12] support as they tempt exercise
[1:55:13] their rights on immigration
[1:55:14] cases. I.c.e. Detainment
[1:55:17] facilities, now that they're
[1:55:19] privately run, have always posed
[1:55:21] a health risk to those detained
[1:55:24] in those facilities, but we've
[1:55:26] seen a drastic and dramatic
[1:55:27] increase in the deaths and
[1:55:29] spread of serious illnesses
[1:55:31] contracted by those that come
[1:55:32] into I.c.e. Facilities during
[1:55:34] this current administration.
[1:55:36] overcrowding, insufficient food,
[1:55:39] irregular access to showers and
[1:55:40] grossly unsanitary conditions
[1:55:43] have led to outbreaks of
[1:55:44] respiratory diseases,
[1:55:46] gastrointestinal diseases,
[1:55:49] measles and acute mental health
[1:55:50] deterioration. These have been
[1:55:53] widely documented and witnessed
[1:55:55] by congressional representatives
[1:55:57] inspecting these facilities and
[1:55:59] receiving testimonials from
[1:56:00] those who have been detained.
[1:56:02] in 2025, there were 32 deaths of
[1:56:05] people in I.c.e. Custody. It's
[1:56:08] the deadliest year in two
[1:56:10] decades. In 2026, just in these
[1:56:15] few short months, we've
[1:56:16] already -- there's already been
[1:56:16] at least 13 deaths in I.c.e.
[1:56:20] custody. In 2025, the office of
[1:56:23] the california attorney general,
[1:56:25] the highest rank law enforcement
[1:56:29] officer in our state rob banta
[1:56:32] inspected all eight detainment
[1:56:34] facilities in california and
[1:56:35] released a report titled
[1:56:37] immigration detention in
[1:56:39] california, a comprehensive
[1:56:41] review with a focus on mental
[1:56:43] health. In that report, the
[1:56:44] attorney general found that
[1:56:45] medical care across all eight
[1:56:47] facilities in california were
[1:56:49] grossly inadequate with many
[1:56:51] healthcare position unfilled.
[1:56:53] mental healthcare was even worse
[1:56:55] with psychiatry care at several
[1:56:57] detention facilities provided by
[1:56:59] one psychiatrist. We know that
[1:57:05] other counties have chosen not
[1:57:08] to transfer folks. This county
[1:57:12] continues to do so. And not
[1:57:14] only does it continue to do so,
[1:57:15] it transfers more than any other
[1:57:17] county that is chosen to do
[1:57:19] that. I'm very troubled about
[1:57:21] the fact that -- specifically in
[1:57:24] our vietnamese community, which
[1:57:26] only makes up about 16% of our
[1:57:27] county population, yet, they are
[1:57:29] represented about 27% of those
[1:57:33] transferred to I.c.e. Custody.
[1:57:34] that means 73 people out of the
[1:57:37] 271 that were transferred. By
[1:57:41] not collaborating with I.c.e.,
[1:57:44] the communities that have chosen
[1:57:45] not to transfer have seen no
[1:57:48] increase in crime. So the nexus
[1:57:51] between transferring people who
[1:57:54] served their time and have
[1:57:54] I.c.e. Detainers doesn't seem to
[1:57:57] have the data to support that
[1:58:00] decision. Also l.a. County
[1:58:04] sheriff's department saved 1.4
[1:58:07] million-dollars of staff time in
[1:58:08] one year by choosing not to
[1:58:11] transfer. We know that right
[1:58:15] now there is a government
[1:58:17] shutdown because of the dilemma
[1:58:18] that our congressional
[1:58:20] representatives are facing with
[1:58:22] respect to funding homeland
[1:58:24] security because of the
[1:58:27] difficulty that they've had
[1:58:29] funding I.c.e. And other
[1:58:33] agencies such as that, that
[1:58:35] continue to have agents that are
[1:58:37] not trained, that are masked,
[1:58:40] and don't show identification.
[1:58:41] we know that there's been
[1:58:43] documented unconstitutional
[1:58:44] practices and lawlessness by
[1:58:47] I.c.e. And other enforcement
[1:58:50] agencies. So if there ever was
[1:58:54] a year for us to step back and
[1:58:55] say, do these transfers make our
[1:58:59] communities safer? This was it.
[1:59:01] this was the moment to say, it
[1:59:03] is so dangerous for somebody to
[1:59:06] be placed in a detention center
[1:59:08] with all the documented
[1:59:09] problems, with people dying,
[1:59:13] this was the moment to say, why
[1:59:14] are other counties not seeing a
[1:59:17] spike in crime once they decide
[1:59:21] not to transfer folks? And we
[1:59:22] could have assessed based upon
[1:59:24] good data to see if that makes a
[1:59:26] difference. I know that people
[1:59:28] who commit crime should be in
[1:59:32] custody and should be detained.
[1:59:34] but once that detention is over,
[1:59:38] it become as choice. It's not
[1:59:39] mandated, for us to transfer.
[1:59:42] and many counties have chosen
[1:59:43] not to. So that is the dilemma
[1:59:46] before us, just to ask that
[1:59:49] fundamental question, are we
[1:59:51] safer as a result of this
[1:59:52] practice? And that's something
[1:59:56] that we've struggled with being
[1:59:57] able to show. And so I know
[1:59:59] that there are dangerous people
[2:00:03] that are undocumented and are
[2:00:05] citizens who -- so we know that
[2:00:08] nobody is saying release them,
[2:00:10] don't have them serve time,
[2:00:12] don't have them convicted or,
[2:00:15] you know, in custody. We are
[2:00:16] saying now that second step,
[2:00:18] that is a volitional step.
[2:00:21] it's something that we need
[2:00:23] reconsider. So this is a public
[2:00:25] forum. It is not something that
[2:00:28] we can dictate to the sheriff.
[2:00:29] he is a directly-elected
[2:00:32] official. This is the
[2:00:33] opportunity for the public to
[2:00:34] make its comments known, for the
[2:00:36] board to make its comments for
[2:00:38] the record. And, you know, my
[2:00:40] comments have been consistent
[2:00:41] all along. I actually hosted
[2:00:43] every year since I've been on
[2:00:45] this board a public forum at a
[2:00:47] time in the evening when the
[2:00:49] public could come and ask
[2:00:50] questions of me, of my staff, of
[2:00:54] any representatives from the
[2:00:55] sheriffs because I believe it's
[2:00:56] important. The legislature and
[2:00:59] its wisdom made sure that we had
[2:01:01] a document for this. And again,
[2:01:04] this is an irregular year. This
[2:01:05] was a moment when we said --
[2:01:08] when we could have said, it is
[2:01:09] so dangerous -- because I don't
[2:01:10] think the sheriff operates the
[2:01:13] local county jails and anything
[2:01:15] close to the conditions that
[2:01:17] these detention centers are. So
[2:01:19] why would we transfer folks from
[2:01:21] what is a safe condition in our
[2:01:23] jails to a possibly fatal
[2:01:25] condition in other detention
[2:01:28] centers? So those are my
[2:01:30] comments for the record. I
[2:01:32] appreciate the work that the
[2:01:34] orange county rapid response
[2:01:36] network continues to do. It's
[2:01:40] not something you should be
[2:01:40] doing. It is incredibly insane
[2:01:44] that we have to be protecting
[2:01:47] neighbors who are going through
[2:01:49] the immigration process, people
[2:01:51] who have children who served in
[2:01:53] the military, who are being
[2:01:54] detained, and all abuse and
[2:01:57] unconstitutional violations that
[2:01:58] we've seen. I want to thanking
[2:02:01] harbor institute for providing
[2:02:03] the documents, data, the
[2:02:06] analysis, kim and grant
[2:02:08] defenders as well. I know that
[2:02:12] the chairman and I -- when the
[2:02:14] salaries were increased for the
[2:02:16] supervisors, that increase that
[2:02:17] we received as a family, me
[2:02:19] personally, was $50,000 that I
[2:02:21] donated to immigrant defenders
[2:02:22] because I know that a person
[2:02:25] without counsel has zero chance
[2:02:27] of making their case, possibly
[2:02:30] being bonded out, and preventing
[2:02:32] a removal. So I hope that was
[2:02:34] used well.
[2:02:35] it was intended well, and I know
[2:02:37] that this board allowed me to
[2:02:41] use my discretionary moneys to
[2:02:43] the amount of half a
[2:02:44] million-dollars that was matched
[2:02:46] by two foundations to begin
[2:02:48] something called the liberty
[2:02:50] fund. And that was to empower
[2:02:51] immigrant families, to be able
[2:02:53] to represent themselves and to
[2:02:55] also retain security council
[2:02:57] they could be accompanied to
[2:02:59] hearings. So I am proud of the
[2:03:00] work that you've all inspired me
[2:03:03] to do. I will continue to do
[2:03:04] that. I hope that they will
[2:03:06] come -- the day will come when
[2:03:09] this county just steps back and
[2:03:11] realizes, does this make sense?
[2:03:12] is there a net benefit? Are we
[2:03:16] eroding public trust so much
[2:03:16] that this is counter-productive?
[2:03:19] and that's something that we
[2:03:20] haven't done in earnest, and I
[2:03:22] hope we will. I'm not saying
[2:03:24] that this -- that's the right
[2:03:26] way or the wrong way. But we
[2:03:27] should certainly look at it and
[2:03:29] make sure that we're doing the
[2:03:31] right thing. So with that, I
[2:03:32] just want to thank all of who
[2:03:33] came and spoke, and I'll go
[2:03:35] ahead and give it back to the
[2:03:37] chair.
[2:03:38] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[2:03:39] you, supervisor. Are there any
[2:03:42] other comments from any other
[2:03:43] supervisors? Let me just close,
[2:03:45] then. I am dismayed by some of
[2:03:49] the lawlessness that I see
[2:03:51] immigration officers use. We
[2:03:54] try to be a nation of laws, but
[2:03:56] then law enforcement itself
[2:03:59] doesn't obey the laws, and
[2:04:00] that's very troubling. So let
[2:04:02] me close on a positive note. I
[2:04:06] sponsored the creation of the
[2:04:08] office of immigration refugee
[2:04:10] affairs and along with some
[2:04:12] funding, and I was pleased that
[2:04:14] the board approved that office.
[2:04:16] it will be celebrating its
[2:04:19] second year on april 8 in santa
[2:04:20] ana. And there will be more
[2:04:22] about that, but should be a
[2:04:24] joyful celebration. It has not
[2:04:29] been ability to do everything I
[2:04:30] had hoped because of the
[2:04:31] circumstances happening with
[2:04:32] I.c.e. And others. So with
[2:04:34] that, there are no further
[2:04:35] comments, this is a "receive and
[2:04:36] file" item, and I'm deeming it
[2:04:39] received and filed, and we'll
[2:04:40] move on now to supplement 31c.
[2:04:49] >>clerk, robin stieler: s31c.
[2:04:50] under supervisor wagner -
[2:04:51] approve
[2:04:52] sponsorship of various nonprofit
[2:04:53] entities from third district
[2:04:54] events funds; approve addition
[2:04:55] or
[2:04:55] revision of events to fy 2025-26
[2:04:56] county events calendar; make
[2:04:58] related findings under
[2:04:59] government
[2:05:00] code section 26227; and
[2:05:01] authorize auditor-controller to
[2:05:02] make related payments.
[2:05:04] we have no requests on s31c.
[2:05:07] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[2:05:08] supervisor wagner, that's your
[2:05:09] item.
[2:05:10] >>don wagner: thank you,
[2:05:11] mr. Chairman. And thank you for
[2:05:12] advancing this item, routine use
[2:05:13] of discretionary funds, I urge
[2:05:16] an "aye" vote and move for
[2:05:17] approval.
[2:05:18] >>chair, doug chaffee: moved and
[2:05:19] seconded by supervisor foley.
[2:05:20] comment.
[2:05:21] >>speaker: thank you, I will
[2:05:22] abstain on this item, within the
[2:05:27] 90 days preceding an election a
[2:05:29] member of the board who is on
[2:05:30] the balance as a supervisor
[2:05:31] district candidate of the board
[2:05:32] and has an opponent on that
[2:05:33] ballot shall not take any action
[2:05:35] related to spending district
[2:05:37] discretionary funds,.
[2:05:41] >>vincente sarmiento: and I have
[2:05:43] no problem with the item itself.
[2:05:45] for clarity, county counsel, I
[2:05:47] respect the vice-chair's
[2:05:48] analysis of it, and it is very,
[2:05:50] very, you know -- being almost
[2:05:53] ultra careful with this, and I
[2:05:54] want to do the same. You can
[2:05:57] give us some guidance on this in
[2:05:58] the event that, you know, it
[2:06:00] isn't our item. We're not
[2:06:01] moving our discretionary monies.
[2:06:03] and again, I believe that ab2946
[2:06:06] has sort of complicated things.
[2:06:08] but we want to make sure that
[2:06:10] we're both consistent. At least
[2:06:11] I'm consistent.
[2:06:14] >>leon page: thank you,
[2:06:14] supervisor. Would you like me
[2:06:16] to give that you advice now.
[2:06:18] >>vincente sarmiento: yes.
[2:06:18] summary, and then maybe you can
[2:06:20] give me sort of a deeper
[2:06:20] analysis later.
[2:06:22] >>leon page: sure. I do not
[2:06:23] believe that you are required to
[2:06:27] recuse yourself or for that
[2:06:28] matter that supervisor foley is
[2:06:30] required to recuse herself. I
[2:06:32] believe that the statute was
[2:06:33] intended to cover the member
[2:06:36] putting the item on the agenda
[2:06:37] only and not other members who
[2:06:40] happen to be up for re-election.
[2:06:42] >>vincente sarmiento: and I
[2:06:42] understand the out of abundance
[2:06:44] of caution, I do that often, but
[2:06:46] to the extent that I am -- I
[2:06:49] concur with what you said, and
[2:06:51] that was my understanding of
[2:06:52] that. Again, it's tricky. It's
[2:06:55] the first time it's been, you
[2:06:55] know, kind of rolled out, we're
[2:06:59] putting it into effect or we're
[2:07:00] subject to it. I'm going to
[2:07:02] support it. I do believe that
[2:07:04] it is -- my understanding the
[2:07:07] way you read, but I completely
[2:07:08] understand the vice-chair's
[2:07:10] cautionary position. Thank you.
[2:07:14] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[2:07:15] further comments.
[2:07:16] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: yeah.
[2:07:16] just for clarification, I just
[2:07:19] don't want to take any chances
[2:07:20] because of the way that it's
[2:07:22] worded. It is I think subject
[2:07:25] to having individuals take
[2:07:27] advantage of it, file a
[2:07:30] complaint, and it's just
[2:07:31] something I don't want to have
[2:07:32] to deal with. Additionally as
[2:07:34] it relates to this item, there's
[2:07:36] actually two nonprofits that are
[2:07:39] actually in my district. And so
[2:07:41] I would feel that I would be
[2:07:43] subject to a complaint even
[2:07:44] more. So that's why I'm erring
[2:07:46] on the side of caution. I don't
[2:07:49] want to have to deal with the
[2:07:50] complaint.
[2:07:52] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[2:07:53] supervisor nguyen.
[2:07:54] >>janet nguyen: mr. County
[2:07:55] counsel, can we -- I think I
[2:07:57] mentioned last time, but why
[2:08:00] don't we make an official
[2:08:00] request to the author to ask for
[2:08:03] ledge council's opinion because
[2:08:05] it's something that we'll have
[2:08:06] to deal with in the future.
[2:08:06] it'd be easier just to get ledge
[2:08:09] council's opinion on it, and how
[2:08:11] that works is he just needs toe
[2:08:13] ask ledge counsel. It is a
[2:08:15] confidential memo to him. He
[2:08:17] chooses if he lets us have that
[2:08:19] information or not. But if
[2:08:20] we're asking for, it I'm sure he
[2:08:22] would. So I think it's just for
[2:08:24] us going forward, and if there
[2:08:26] needs some clarification for
[2:08:28] amendments, then we can also
[2:08:30] have that conversation with him
[2:08:32] just to clarify so that it's
[2:08:33] very clear what can and cannot
[2:08:36] be done.
[2:08:37] >>leon page: thank you,
[2:08:38] supervisor. We absolutely can
[2:08:39] do that. We can ask the
[2:08:42] legislator to ask ledge counsel.
[2:08:44] unfortunately an opinion from
[2:08:46] legislative counsel would not
[2:08:48] provide a board member with an
[2:08:49] affirmative defense. But an
[2:08:51] attorney general opinion would,
[2:08:51] which is another step that
[2:08:52] perhaps we could take.
[2:08:54] >>janet nguyen: I would start
[2:08:55] with let council because if it's
[2:08:59] a tweak that needs to add words
[2:09:01] or just a clarification, he can
[2:09:02] maybe consider anticipating it
[2:09:05] next year, and then you can go
[2:09:06] further. But usually members
[2:09:08] don't ask for ag's opinion until
[2:09:12] they're dead senate they're not
[2:09:14] going to make any changes to it.
[2:09:16] we don't even know if there
[2:09:18] needs to be changes.
[2:09:19] >>chair, doug chaffee: it's been
[2:09:20] moved and second. Madam clerk,
[2:09:21] for charity, would you do a roll
[2:09:23] call vote, please.
[2:09:24] >>clerk, robin stieler:
[2:09:25] supervisor wagner.
[2:09:29] >>don wagner: aye.
[2:09:29] >>clerk, robin stieler:
[2:09:30] supervisor nguyen. Supervisor
[2:09:39] sarmiento. Vice-chair foley.
[2:09:42] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[2:09:43] abstain.
[2:09:45] >>clerk, robin stieler: chair
[2:09:46] chaffee.
[2:09:46] >>chair, doug chaffee: aye.
[2:09:48] >>chair, doug chaffee: 4 yes and
[2:09:51] votes 1 abstention. I wasn't
[2:09:53] sure about that. All right,
[2:09:56] madam clerk, let's move on to
[2:09:58] supplement 31d.
[2:10:01] >>clerk, robin stieler: s31d.
[2:10:02] under supervisor wagner -
[2:10:04] development processing review
[2:10:05] committee - appoint
[2:10:06] stephanie mari fabbri carter,
[2:10:08] tustin, for term concurrent with
[2:10:10] third district supervisor’s term
[2:10:11] of office.
[2:10:12] and we have no requests to speak
[2:10:15] on s31d.
[2:10:16] >>don wagner: this should be
[2:10:18] much easier not spending any
[2:10:19] money. I move for approval.
[2:10:22] >>chair, doug chaffee: second.
[2:10:22] any objection? The item is
[2:10:23] approved. A slight switch here,
[2:10:26] let's do supplement -- lost it
[2:10:38] somewhere. But I think we want
[2:10:38] to dot sheriffs items next,
[2:10:40] which is supplement 31f and g.
[2:10:46] >>clerk, robin stieler: f and g
[2:10:47] are the sheriffs.
[2:10:48] >>chair, doug chaffee: yeah,
[2:10:50] let's do that.
[2:10:54] >>clerk, robin stieler: s31f.
[2:10:55] under sheriff-coroner - accept
[2:10:56] donation from orange county
[2:10:57] sheriff's advisory council
[2:10:58] of architectural and engineering
[2:10:59] plans, contract management,
[2:11:00] permit processing, labor
[2:11:01] and materials for construction
[2:11:01] of
[2:11:02] modular tactical training
[2:11:03] building adjacent to sandra
[2:11:04] hutchens regional law
[2:11:04] enforcement
[2:11:05] training center (estimated value
[2:11:05] $15,000,000); adopt resolution
[2:11:06] approving license with orange
[2:11:07] county sheriff')s advisory
[2:11:07] council
[2:11:09] and making findings under
[2:11:10] government code 26227 and other
[2:11:12] related findings; authorize
[2:11:12] chief
[2:11:13] real estate officer or designee
[2:11:15] to execute license, related
[2:11:16] documents and amendments under
[2:11:17] certain conditions; and make
[2:11:18] california environmental
[2:11:19] quality act (ceqa) exemption
[2:11:20] findings under ceqa guidelines
[2:11:22] section 15303.
[2:11:26] and we have no requests to speak
[2:11:29] on s31f.
[2:11:31] >>chair, doug chaffee: is that
[2:11:32] an all-district item.
[2:11:34] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[2:11:35] second.
[2:11:36] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[2:11:37] objection? Supervisor nguyen?
[2:11:38] >>janet nguyen: I'm just
[2:11:39] excited. Thank you, sheriff,
[2:11:40] thank you, everybody, for
[2:11:42] putting this together. This is
[2:11:44] so exciting for the county and
[2:11:46] all the work that the sheriff
[2:11:48] and his staff has done in terms
[2:11:49] of the training center.
[2:11:51] congratulations, and looking
[2:11:53] forward to it.
[2:11:55] >>chair, doug chaffee: and if no
[2:11:56] objection, the item is approved.
[2:11:58] thank you, sheriff. And now
[2:11:59] let's go on to supplement -- the
[2:12:03] other sheriffs -- g. Okay.
[2:12:07] >>clerk, robin stieler: s31g.
[2:12:07] under sheriff-coroner - approve
[2:12:08] amendment 2 to contract with
[2:12:10] global tel (link corporation dba
[2:12:11] viapath technologies for inmate
[2:12:12] communication services; and
[2:12:15] authorize county procurement
[2:12:16] officer or deputized designee to
[2:12:18] execute amendment.
[2:12:18] we have no requests to speak on
[2:12:21] s31g.
[2:12:23] >>chair, doug chaffee: move for
[2:12:25] approval? Moved and seconded.
[2:12:27] supervisor sarmiento.
[2:12:28] >>vincente sarmiento: yes, thank
[2:12:29] you, mr. Chair. This is an
[2:12:31] amendment number 2 for the
[2:12:33] contract with gtl doing business
[2:12:36] as via path. When this contract
[2:12:40] came before the board the last
[2:12:41] time on june 27, 2023, I voted
[2:12:45] no. And the reason was that the
[2:12:49] vendor via path refused to
[2:12:51] indemnify the county in a
[2:12:53] lawsuit. The vendor was
[2:12:55] defending against due to a phone
[2:12:56] call billing rate commission.
[2:12:59] that, I believe, continues to be
[2:13:01] unresolved, and I believe that
[2:13:05] this asr didn't capture it. But
[2:13:08] I am not going to be supportive
[2:13:10] for that reason. But also
[2:13:11] because I've had some personal
[2:13:13] experience with this vendor and
[2:13:16] their services have been less
[2:13:18] than adequate. One of the
[2:13:21] things that -- in reading this
[2:13:23] asr, and this is sort of outside
[2:13:25] the subject matter of this
[2:13:26] vendor -- was just the music
[2:13:31] facility not having in-person
[2:13:33] visitation. And I know that
[2:13:34] that's something that was
[2:13:37] grandfathered in before the
[2:13:39] legislature required that all
[2:13:40] facilities have in-person
[2:13:43] visitation ability. So I do
[2:13:45] think that, you know, this is, I
[2:13:48] believe, a video or way to visit
[2:13:54] somebody through a device,
[2:13:56] tablet. And I know that the
[2:13:58] county is able to pay for the
[2:14:01] first two visits by video, and
[2:14:05] then I believe the inmate in
[2:14:08] custody or their family has to
[2:14:10] pay for any subsequent ones. So
[2:14:13] there are two 30-minute videos.
[2:14:15] I guess the question to me is,
[2:14:17] you know -- it's more of a query
[2:14:20] about our facility in irvine, at
[2:14:23] music facility. The fact that
[2:14:24] there is no in-person
[2:14:26] visitation, even though it's
[2:14:27] required now, we've predated
[2:14:30] that law -- doesn't mean we
[2:14:32] shouldn't consider it. I do
[2:14:34] believe that, you know, the
[2:14:36] facility here in santa ana has a
[2:14:40] in-person visitation opportunity
[2:14:43] there in space. I guess we
[2:14:47] can't even release folks from
[2:14:48] the music facility in irvine.
[2:14:51] they have to be transferred to
[2:14:52] santa ana to be released. So
[2:14:54] those are things that are
[2:14:54] troubling to me. And I do want
[2:14:57] to make sure that we revisit
[2:14:58] those. But mr. Chair, based
[2:15:00] upon the reasons stated, I am
[2:15:02] going to be consistent went my
[2:15:04] vote from last time, and I'll be
[2:15:06] a no vote on this item.
[2:15:07] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[2:15:07] right. Any other comments? I
[2:15:11] think I -- do we have a motion
[2:15:12] already made? All right. Any
[2:15:17] other objections besides
[2:15:18] supervisor sarmiento? All
[2:15:20] right, then, the matter carries
[2:15:23] 4 in favor, 1 opposed. We're
[2:15:27] going to pull another blip and
[2:15:30] take care of the last sheriffs
[2:15:32] item, which is item 12.
[2:15:38] >>clerk, robin stieler: 12.
[2:15:39] under
[2:15:40] sheriff-coroner - approve
[2:15:40] subordinate contract
[2:15:41] ma-060-26010796 with wcc
[2:15:42] technologies group for
[2:15:42] structured
[2:15:43] cabling and installation
[2:15:44] services, term ending 2/28/27
[2:15:45] ($1,600,000); renewable for one
[2:15:46] additional one-year term; and
[2:15:47] authorize county procurement
[2:15:47] officer or deputized designee to
[2:15:48] execute contract.
[2:15:48] we have no requests to speak on
[2:15:51] agenda item 12 he.
[2:15:52] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[2:15:53] the item.
[2:15:54] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[2:15:55] objection? Motion carries.
[2:15:57] thank you. Let's get to
[2:15:59] supplement 31e, which could take
[2:16:01] some time.
[2:16:03] >>clerk, robin stieler: s31e.
[2:16:04] under internal audit - receive
[2:16:05] and file forensic audit of
[2:16:05] county
[2:16:06] contracts phase one report and
[2:16:07] related presentation by weaver
[2:16:08] and tidwell, l.l.p.
[2:16:16] and we have one speaker.
[2:16:22] steven mcmally
[2:16:45] >>speaker: I'm steve mcmally and
[2:16:54] I'm here today to express an
[2:16:56] opinion about this being a
[2:16:58] supplemental item rather than a
[2:17:01] regular item. It's always
[2:17:03] bothered me when things are on a
[2:17:07] supplemental basis and I can't
[2:17:09] see the backup, and it
[2:17:14] frustrates me because I've read
[2:17:17] the report because I got it from
[2:17:19] a public source, but I didn't
[2:17:22] get it from the people I'm
[2:17:24] looking for to get it from. And
[2:17:28] that's upsetting. Also when you
[2:17:32] give away the ability to control
[2:17:35] the communication and the
[2:17:36] narrative on a topic, then we
[2:17:40] get what I call misplaced,
[2:17:43] misdirected public upset that
[2:17:45] becomes public anger. And I
[2:17:48] have that anger myself, but it's
[2:17:52] mostly frustration when people
[2:17:54] come up here for three minutes
[2:17:56] that maybe becomes two, maybe
[2:17:58] becomes one. It's not easy to
[2:17:59] make public comment. It's not
[2:18:00] easy to make public comment that
[2:18:02] you think you're making a public
[2:18:04] comment that you don't think
[2:18:05] people want to hear. But
[2:18:07] there's a couple of things, like
[2:18:08] I would go to the county press
[2:18:09] releases to look for this.
[2:18:12] don't see one. I get
[2:18:15] everyone -- every supervisor's
[2:18:17] newsletter. So there may have
[2:18:19] been a link. I don't know. I'm
[2:18:21] not going to go there. And I'm
[2:18:25] just wondering when this was
[2:18:27] such an important topic, it's
[2:18:30] put as a supplemental item so I
[2:18:32] have to go outside of my
[2:18:34] supervisors to find it. And
[2:18:38] then a lot's been made about how
[2:18:40] much has changed from supervisor
[2:18:43] dough. This was all a
[2:18:46] supervisor dough concern. There
[2:18:48] was an mhsa audit done back in
[2:18:52] 2021. That also you had to find
[2:18:56] on the vendors website because
[2:18:58] when you asked for it, you
[2:19:00] didn't receive it. Also a
[2:19:05] county ad hoc at that time ran
[2:19:08] multiple, multiple years and
[2:19:10] brought up publically in many
[2:19:13] boards, commission, committee
[2:19:15] meetings and went unaddressed.
[2:19:17] the problem was known way
[2:19:19] before, and yet we couldn't get
[2:19:21] any kind of traction. So that's
[2:19:26] sort of where we are today,
[2:19:27] where we were, and maybe how
[2:19:29] much different really is it? So
[2:19:32] where we could be with the
[2:19:33] reciprocal relationships built
[2:19:36] upon trust between the board and
[2:19:37] the community, and that would
[2:19:40] basically be based on openness,
[2:19:43] willingness and open access to
[2:19:47] the supervisors when asked, the
[2:19:51] board, committee, or commission
[2:19:53] in the county. Thank you.
[2:19:53] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[2:19:54] you, sir.
[2:19:54] >>clerk, robin stieler: no
[2:19:55] further requests, mr. Chair.
[2:19:57] >>chair, doug chaffee: for this,
[2:19:59] a receive of the forensic audit.
[2:20:02] are there any comments -- do we
[2:20:05] have a staff presentation? I
[2:20:05] think there was some request. I
[2:20:07] don't remember. Okay. From the
[2:20:10] auditors, I believe. Thank you
[2:20:18] for waiting. I'm sorry we had a
[2:20:20] number of items that took some
[2:20:21] time.
[2:20:22] >>speaker: not a problem. Good
[2:20:23] morning, board, chair chaffee,
[2:20:25] members of the board. My name
[2:20:26] is travis casner. I'm a partner
[2:20:28] with weaver & tidwell, and I'm
[2:20:30] here with my colleague sasha
[2:20:32] gartman who's a director with
[2:20:34] weaver. We're here today to
[2:20:35] present the findings for the
[2:20:37] phase 1 of the forensic audit.
[2:20:39] we're going to walk through the
[2:20:40] executive summary, and we also
[2:20:43] want to make sure we have time
[2:20:45] to answer any questions that you
[2:20:45] have. And before we get
[2:20:49] started, I did want to mention a
[2:20:52] few things. First of all, you
[2:20:54] know, we received complete
[2:20:57] cooperation from all of the
[2:20:58] employees and staff that we
[2:20:59] spoke with at the county. We
[2:21:01] spoke with individuals within a
[2:21:04] number of different departments
[2:21:05] and agencies, and their
[2:21:08] timeliness and responsiveness in
[2:21:10] providing documents and requests
[2:21:11] to us allowed us to complete the
[2:21:14] phase 1 in a timely manner. So
[2:21:17] we appreciate their cooperation.
[2:21:19] and also I wanted to mention
[2:21:22] that, as you know, this report
[2:21:23] is publically available in its
[2:21:25] completion -- or in its entirety
[2:21:29] through the county website. Let
[2:21:31] me start by talking about the
[2:21:32] scope of work. So this slide
[2:21:35] shows the phased approach with
[2:21:38] the four phases of over 2500
[2:21:40] contracts, totaling about 4.3
[2:21:44] billion dollars. These are
[2:21:44] contracts that were executed
[2:21:45] during the 2019 to 2024 time
[2:21:49] period. So this presentation
[2:21:51] and this report is focused on
[2:21:53] phase 1, which were identified
[2:21:55] through the internal audit
[2:21:56] department as the top priority
[2:21:58] contracts, and this includes 145
[2:22:01] contracts, totaling about 486
[2:22:05] million-dollars. And then this
[2:22:09] table breaks down the phase 1
[2:22:11] contracts, based on the
[2:22:13] department. So just a couple of
[2:22:16] quick observations, the majority
[2:22:17] of the contracts that we looked
[2:22:19] at as part phase 1 were within
[2:22:21] the healthcare agency and then
[2:22:22] oc community resources, and then
[2:22:26] also the county executive
[2:22:27] office. And then for each of
[2:22:30] the 145 contracts that we
[2:22:32] received as part of phase 1, we
[2:22:35] went through an -- eight work
[2:22:39] steps as part that review. So
[2:22:40] that included an initial review
[2:22:44] and investigation of the
[2:22:45] vendors. There were about 60
[2:22:47] unique vendors associated with
[2:22:49] these phase 1 contracts. We
[2:22:51] also examined and reviewed the
[2:22:53] procurement process as far as
[2:22:54] how the vendor was selected,
[2:22:57] what that process was, whether
[2:22:58] it was competitively bid,
[2:23:01] sole-sourced, emergency
[2:23:02] purchased, and the supporting
[2:23:05] documentation associated with
[2:23:06] that. We also looked at the
[2:23:08] payment records, including the
[2:23:09] invoices, the amounts paid
[2:23:11] relative to the contract
[2:23:14] authorization, and that's work
[2:23:17] step 4. We looked at all of the
[2:23:20] email communications between the
[2:23:21] vendor and the contractor and
[2:23:22] the employees at county
[2:23:25] regarding the process and
[2:23:26] decision related to these
[2:23:27] contracts. We evaluated
[2:23:30] compliance with local, state,
[2:23:31] and federal requirements and
[2:23:34] then, as you know, we drafted a
[2:23:37] report and we're here today to
[2:23:38] present the findings for phase
[2:23:40] 1. So now I'd like to get into
[2:23:45] the findings that are listed in
[2:23:47] the executive summary. So I'm
[2:23:49] going to touch on those briefly
[2:23:50] and then go through our
[2:23:51] recommendations. The first
[2:23:53] finding relates to the district
[2:23:55] 1 tone at the top, which binded
[2:23:58] the county's procurement
[2:23:59] controls. Specifically we noted
[2:24:01] that the past district 1
[2:24:03] leadership was very involved in
[2:24:05] the decisions related to
[2:24:07] procurement, and this is
[2:24:09] specifically referring to former
[2:24:10] supervisor dough and the former
[2:24:12] chief staff, ms. Wangsaporn's
[2:24:16] support for district 1. They
[2:24:18] established a culture where
[2:24:19] certain decisions, primarily
[2:24:22] procurement related, were not to
[2:24:23] be questioned, and there were
[2:24:25] people who indicated to us
[2:24:27] during interviews that they were
[2:24:31] concerned at times that they
[2:24:32] would receive phone calls from
[2:24:33] district leadership if they did
[2:24:36] not go along with, you know,
[2:24:38] certain procurement decisions.
[2:24:40] some of the decisions that we
[2:24:41] identified during phase 1
[2:24:43] included lump sum advance
[2:24:45] payments to specific
[2:24:47] contractors. These were
[2:24:48] typically service contracts.
[2:24:51] there was also directives to pay
[2:24:53] vendors and contractors while
[2:24:56] there was open issues still
[2:24:58] under review, and then also
[2:24:59] decisions related to the
[2:25:01] selection and award contracts to
[2:25:03] vendors and grant recipients.
[2:25:07] the second finding that we
[2:25:09] included in the executive
[2:25:10] summary relates to the emergency
[2:25:13] purchasing authority and the
[2:25:15] sole-sourcing, which allowed
[2:25:17] contractor words without
[2:25:18] competitive bidding or board
[2:25:20] approval.
[2:25:21] so essentially what we observed
[2:25:22] was that the environment during
[2:25:25] this time period in 2020, 2021
[2:25:28] in particular, there was a
[2:25:32] lowering of the guardrails that
[2:25:32] are in place through the county
[2:25:34] contract procurement manual,
[2:25:36] which allowed some of these
[2:25:39] things to occur based on the
[2:25:41] emergency purchase proceedings
[2:25:42] that were approved in
[2:25:45] april 2020. As well as the
[2:25:48] frequency and the use of the
[2:25:49] sole source contracts without
[2:25:52] competitive bidding, and the
[2:25:54] result of this was, you know, we
[2:25:55] noted that there was limited
[2:25:57] oversight with respect to the
[2:25:59] emergency purchases. The
[2:26:01] departments as required under
[2:26:03] the policy manual with emergency
[2:26:06] purchases, they're only required
[2:26:09] to provide an emergency
[2:26:10] justification memo, which
[2:26:12] documents essentially that the
[2:26:14] purchase is related to covid-19
[2:26:19] response. So that's essentially
[2:26:21] the requirement for the
[2:26:22] emergency purchase. There's not
[2:26:24] competitive bidding. That's
[2:26:25] waived during this process.
[2:26:27] it's resulted in blanket
[2:26:28] authorizations for broad
[2:26:29] categories of purchases, which
[2:26:32] were directly 69 directly
[2:26:33] related to the covid-19
[2:26:34] response. It also resulted in
[2:26:37] limited visibility of the
[2:26:39] purchase amounts and the vendors
[2:26:42] selected, many of the emergency
[2:26:44] justification memos only
[2:26:45] included broad line items, for
[2:26:48] example, covid-19 testing
[2:26:50] without indication of who the
[2:26:53] contractor that was selected or
[2:26:56] the contract amount. We also
[2:26:59] found that former supervisor do
[2:27:01] steered contracts to specific
[2:27:03] businesses. We identified a
[2:27:06] pattern of contracts that aimed
[2:27:09] to grants that were being
[2:27:10] steered to certain businesses
[2:27:12] specifically by former
[2:27:13] supervisor do, oftentimes
[2:27:16] facilitated by his former chief
[2:27:18] staff mr. Wangsaporn. And these
[2:27:22] businesses that employed
[2:27:23] immediate family members is one
[2:27:27] of the categories, it also
[2:27:28] included businesses that
[2:27:29] contributed to political
[2:27:31] campaigns shortly after the
[2:27:32] award of the contract as well as
[2:27:34] businesses that provided a media
[2:27:36] platform for former supervisor
[2:27:38] do and also businesses involved
[2:27:39] in the two festivals that were
[2:27:41] operated through district one,
[2:27:45] the tet and moon festivals. And
[2:27:48] we'll talk a little bit more
[2:27:53] about this, but as a whole, you
[2:27:56] know, one of the themes we noted
[2:27:58] was that these festivals for
[2:28:00] district 1, we saw the use of
[2:28:01] the term constituents. There
[2:28:04] was invitations that would go
[2:28:06] out to 54,000 constituents, and
[2:28:08] so from our viewpoint, this has
[2:28:10] a connotation of, you know,
[2:28:13] we're not talking about a
[2:28:15] community event for citizens.
[2:28:15] it's more of a campaign-related
[2:28:19] terminology. And we also noted
[2:28:21] that mr. Wangsaporn, the chief
[2:28:23] staff, was also the campaign
[2:28:25] manager for former supervisor
[2:28:27] do, which I think, you know,
[2:28:30] part of the -- plays into some
[2:28:42] of these findings. And notably
[2:28:45] some of these sponsorships were
[2:28:47] being filed third parties in
[2:28:48] lieu of being paid to the
[2:28:51] county. So some aspects of it
[2:28:57] were not going directly to the
[2:29:00] county. There were some -- one
[2:29:02] of the key sponsors, the main
[2:29:04] logo on the stage was cal
[2:29:06] optima. There was payments to
[2:29:07] the county for those. But what
[2:29:08] we're talking about is the
[2:29:11] booths and some of the other
[2:29:13] sponsors, those dollars were
[2:29:15] going to other individuals,
[2:29:16] which included peter pham
[2:29:19] through his business, hd
[2:29:22] entertainment, or by 2t media
[2:29:25] who we found during our
[2:29:26] interview that they actually had
[2:29:28] a separate agreement with hd
[2:29:32] entertainment where they would
[2:29:33] emit 30% of the sponsorship
[2:29:35] revenues that they collected as
[2:29:37] a commission -- or they would
[2:29:39] retain 30% of the commission and
[2:29:41] remit the other portion to
[2:29:42] mr. Pham at hd entertainment.
[2:29:44] we also found that former
[2:29:48] supervisor do mr. Wangsaporn
[2:29:51] were aware these sponsorship
[2:29:53] revenues were being paid to 2t
[2:29:56] media. The county staff was
[2:29:57] aware base on the interviews
[2:29:58] that we conducted. And with
[2:30:00] respect -- did not appear to be
[2:30:02] aware. And with respect to the
[2:30:05] expenditures for the festivals,
[2:30:06] we noted advanced lump sum
[2:30:09] payments with round dollar
[2:30:11] amounts with limited detail in
[2:30:13] the invoices and supporting
[2:30:19] documentation. So for example,
[2:30:22] $50,000 for entertainment at a
[2:30:24] festival, for, you know, a
[2:30:27] number of musical acts without
[2:30:28] any kind of detail that you'd
[2:30:31] expect to see as part of the
[2:30:32] standard contract 69 voicing
[2:30:34] process. So there's limited
[2:30:35] visibility with respect to the
[2:30:37] actual costs of some of those
[2:30:39] payments.
[2:30:40] and while some of these
[2:30:43] contracts that we're talking
[2:30:45] about next were not a part our
[2:30:47] scope, we noted with respect to
[2:30:48] this -- the festivals, that the
[2:30:51] other businesses that were
[2:30:51] involved all appeared to be
[2:30:53] businesses that were in
[2:30:55] different ways connected with
[2:30:56] district 1 or former supervisor
[2:30:58] do, including the viet america
[2:31:01] society, who was doing a lot of
[2:31:02] the food at the festivals, aloha
[2:31:05] financial services, and hd
[2:31:08] entertainment were doing
[2:31:10] festival management services.
[2:31:11] they had contracts with the
[2:31:12] county for that, and premier
[2:31:14] entertainment solutions. We
[2:31:17] found that there were
[2:31:20] pass-through grants related to
[2:31:22] the arts relief program that
[2:31:25] obfuscated the county's
[2:31:27] visibility into the
[2:31:29] disbursements of the
[2:31:30] subrecipients. So just to kind
[2:31:32] of provide an overview, there
[2:31:34] was two the recipients. They
[2:31:37] each received $300,000 the
[2:31:41] westminster chamber commerce and
[2:31:43] then the garden grove community
[2:31:44] foundation each received
[2:31:45] $300,000 as a pass-through
[2:31:47] recipient but they were
[2:31:49] instructed through former
[2:31:50] supervisor do that $200,000 of
[2:31:51] those funds would go to specific
[2:31:54] entities, and so they
[2:31:55] essentially were only
[2:31:57] responsible for identifying the
[2:31:57] recipients for about a third of
[2:31:59] those funds. And in doing so in
[2:32:02] this manner, the pass-through
[2:32:06] recipients obfuscated the
[2:32:09] ultimate recipients of these
[2:32:11] grants, which are included on
[2:32:13] this slide. So for
[2:32:15] 300,000 that was awarded to
[2:32:16] garden grove community
[2:32:17] foundation, we determined that
[2:32:19] 100,000 of those funds went to
[2:32:22] 2t media and then 100,000 to
[2:32:25] premier entertainment solutions,
[2:32:26] both of which were at direction
[2:32:27] of former supervisor do. And
[2:32:30] with respect to the 300,000 to
[2:32:32] the westminster chamber of
[2:32:33] commerce, those were also
[2:32:35] directed to four entities listed
[2:32:37] here for $50,000 each, the viet
[2:32:41] america society integrated
[2:32:44] broadcasting kong gray, saigon
[2:32:46] television corp. And then the
[2:32:48] vietnamese america
[2:32:49] philharmonics. And for purpose
[2:32:52] of comparison, the other four
[2:32:54] districts that had similar
[2:32:56] programs and allocations of $1
[2:32:59] million for the arts relief
[2:33:00] program, they contracted with an
[2:33:03] independent firm to administer
[2:33:06] those grant funds, you know,
[2:33:07] with a process that was
[2:33:09] independent. And so this
[2:33:12] process for district 1, you
[2:33:13] know, differed significantly
[2:33:15] from what we saw with the other
[2:33:16] districts. And most notably,
[2:33:19] based on the amount influence
[2:33:21] and how those contracts were
[2:33:22] steered to specific businesses
[2:33:26] and nonprofits. We found that
[2:33:30] former supervisor do exerted
[2:33:33] influence related to payment
[2:33:35] authorization decisions. And a
[2:33:39] few examples that we identified
[2:33:40] were the authorization of the --
[2:33:43] to the hca directory issue
[2:33:46] payment to 360 clinic for
[2:33:48] uncollectable claims at which
[2:33:50] point the invoice were still
[2:33:52] under review. We also know that
[2:33:58] the grant that we obtained for
[2:34:03] the chamber of commerce, former
[2:34:05] supervisor do directed them to
[2:34:07] pay $50,000 to one of the
[2:34:09] sub-recipients that were still
[2:34:11] in the investigating process.
[2:34:12] so they said they were waiting
[2:34:13] on confirmation related to a
[2:34:16] license but were told to go
[2:34:19] ahead and make the payment by
[2:34:21] former supervisor do. And with
[2:34:24] respect to the district 1 arts
[2:34:29] relief program that the staff
[2:34:31] that was in charge of those
[2:34:32] funds was, you know -- informed
[2:34:35] us that there was pressure to
[2:34:35] get those funds paid as quickly
[2:34:38] as possible by former supervisor
[2:34:38] do. And one other thing that's
[2:34:43] not on the slide that I wanted
[2:34:44] to mention with respect to some
[2:34:47] of the other observations was
[2:34:48] that there was also certain
[2:34:50] contract language that was
[2:34:51] included at direction of former
[2:34:54] supervisor do related to self
[2:34:57] certification for things like
[2:35:00] being eligible to receive the
[2:35:01] grants, which is -- was
[2:35:04] described by staff as unusual
[2:35:06] and differed from some of the
[2:35:08] other contracts, which were
[2:35:09] verified and monitored by the
[2:35:11] county versus this was
[2:35:13] essentially a self certification
[2:35:15] provision in those contracts.
[2:35:23] and finally, we wanted to
[2:35:25] mention, you know, that the find
[2:35:27] things that we've discussed so
[2:35:28] far relates to about 33 of the
[2:35:31] 145 phase 1 contracts. The
[2:35:34] appendix b to the report
[2:35:36] includes the detail of our
[2:35:40] review for the entire 145
[2:35:41] contracts. So that is included
[2:35:42] with the report that is
[2:35:44] available online. . Finally, we
[2:35:50] wanted to go over the relations
[2:35:52] that are included in the phase 1
[2:35:54] report that are for the county's
[2:35:56] consideration. So the first one
[2:35:57] was to adopt standardized
[2:36:00] invoicing requirements within
[2:36:01] the contract policy manual. So
[2:36:04] we saw that there was some
[2:36:07] differences within the contracts
[2:36:10] as far as what needed to be
[2:36:11] required as far as a valid
[2:36:13] invoice and details related to
[2:36:15] pricing and amount as and so
[2:36:17] forth. So standardizing that
[2:36:20] through the contract policy
[2:36:21] manual. The second is updating
[2:36:24] the code of ethic to ensure that
[2:36:26] board members do not influence
[2:36:27] procurement decisions. This is
[2:36:30] really intended to make sure
[2:36:31] that the board, you know, is
[2:36:34] fulfilling the role as governing
[2:36:37] and not managing the county.
[2:36:42] the third one is standardizing
[2:36:43] monitoring requirements for
[2:36:44] federal contracts. That just
[2:36:46] gets into some of the language
[2:36:50] in certain contracts that was
[2:36:52] different for some of these
[2:36:54] grants for district 1. The next
[2:36:56] someone to extend due diligence
[2:36:59] procedures to subcontractors and
[2:37:01] sub-awards, and some of this has
[2:37:03] already been done. We know that
[2:37:05] there was a memo with -- of
[2:37:08] protocols to this effect that it
[2:37:09] was, I believe, issued in
[2:37:12] november of 2024, but ensuring
[2:37:14] that that is implemented across
[2:37:16] the county to avoid situations
[2:37:18] where there's circumvention of
[2:37:23] county processes and policies by
[2:37:25] using subcontractors and
[2:37:28] sub-recipients. The next one is
[2:37:30] enhanced annual training focused
[2:37:32] on fraud and internal controls.
[2:37:33] and the next slide has the
[2:37:39] remainder of our
[2:37:41] recommendations. Evaluating the
[2:37:43] effectiveness of the fraud
[2:37:44] reporting hotline. So we've --
[2:37:48] based on the acsv data for the
[2:37:52] last 20 years or so, the number
[2:37:52] one method of detection of fraud
[2:37:55] continues to be through
[2:37:56] anonymous tips or employees
[2:38:01] coming forward well information.
[2:38:02] and so really focusing on the
[2:38:06] effectiveness of the fraud
[2:38:07] hotline, the awareness of making
[2:38:09] sure that employees know how to
[2:38:11] access it and have a good
[2:38:15] understanding of what
[2:38:15] information is required to
[2:38:16] report something, if they're
[2:38:18] aware of it. Stake guidelines
[2:38:22] for the solicitation and receipt
[2:38:23] of sponsorship revenues related
[2:38:25] to the county-funded events.
[2:38:28] standardizing the emergency
[2:38:31] justification memos across
[2:38:32] departments, some have more
[2:38:35] detail than others, and some of
[2:38:37] them had higher level bullet
[2:38:39] points with limited detail that
[2:38:40] we described earlier. And then
[2:38:44] improving the -- I'm sorry, the
[2:38:48] recovery of any overpayments to
[2:38:50] 360 clinic for uncollectible
[2:38:52] claims related to the covid-19
[2:38:54] testing services. And this is
[2:38:57] discussed in section d of the
[2:39:01] report. But we did a review of
[2:39:04] all the un-celebratable claims
[2:39:06] invoices, and those --
[2:39:09] uncollectible claims invoices
[2:39:11] and those findings are from the
[2:39:12] invoices that we saw through the
[2:39:14] analysis. And finally the
[2:39:15] referral of campaign
[2:39:18] contributions to former
[2:39:19] supervisor do. Notably this
[2:39:21] related to one of the findings
[2:39:23] that a campaign contribution,
[2:39:27] when we spoke with one of the
[2:39:28] vendors that was reported to
[2:39:29] have made the contribution, they
[2:39:31] indicated that they did not make
[2:39:33] that contribution, so that
[2:39:35] raises questions as far as the
[2:39:38] validity of some of the campaign
[2:39:40] finance reports, if in fact
[2:39:41] those contributions were not
[2:39:43] made by that vendor. So some of
[2:39:48] these have already been made to
[2:39:50] some extent, so we wanted to
[2:39:53] acknowledge that. But we wanted
[2:39:54] to also highlight these based on
[2:39:56] the findings from phase 1. And
[2:40:00] I think with that, we are happy
[2:40:02] to answer any questions that you
[2:40:04] have.
[2:40:07] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[2:40:08] right, before I go to questions,
[2:40:10] I'd like to put up on the screen
[2:40:11] the information on our fraud
[2:40:13] hotline. So members of the
[2:40:16] public may record any
[2:40:18] information might be helpful to
[2:40:20] them. A fraud hotline has a
[2:40:23] main number, which is important
[2:40:26] to note. You can call anytime,
[2:40:27] anyplace, day or night 24/7 and
[2:40:29] remain anonymous. Report
[2:40:32] questionable behavior, fraud,
[2:40:34] waste, abuse involving county
[2:40:36] vendors, employees, and
[2:40:37] processes. You'll see a series
[2:40:39] of special numbers regarding
[2:40:41] different topics, one for
[2:40:45] welfare fraud, child abuse,
[2:40:46] medi-cal fraud, consumer and
[2:40:48] economic fraud, u-tip safety and
[2:40:52] loss prevention hotline and
[2:40:53] county employers workers'
[2:40:55] compensation fraud. So if any
[2:40:58] of those numbers are important
[2:40:59] to you, please jot it done and
[2:41:01] you can anonymously call it in
[2:41:03] and not be afraid of reporting
[2:41:04] something. Questions,
[2:41:05] supervisor nguyen.
[2:41:06] >>janet nguyen: I just want to
[2:41:08] thank the weaver team for the
[2:41:09] work that they've done, that
[2:41:11] you've done. This was a very
[2:41:13] thorough and professional. And
[2:41:16] so we appreciate it, and I think
[2:41:18] we can all agree the audit was
[2:41:21] necessary and to continue the
[2:41:23] oddity is necessary as well.
[2:41:26] aggie, I just also want to thank
[2:41:28] you and your staff for pushing
[2:41:30] this forward and making sure
[2:41:32] that we're meeting the deadlines
[2:41:33] and getting the information to
[2:41:34] the board and also to the public
[2:41:36] as needed. I just want, to you
[2:41:39] know, just very clear that this
[2:41:41] is today. We're not trying to
[2:41:45] re-litigate the andrew do case.
[2:41:47] we are trying to find what has
[2:41:49] happened and what process and
[2:41:50] procedure that we need to
[2:41:53] distribution correct and
[2:41:54] amend -- that we need to correct
[2:41:57] and amend so that we can move
[2:41:59] forward as well. When this
[2:42:02] audit was commissioned, you
[2:42:03] know, I've said it before that I
[2:42:05] believe it was just the tip of
[2:42:06] the iceberg. Of, you know, when
[2:42:13] andrew got convicted. But, you
[2:42:14] know, and what actually really
[2:42:18] helped is the fact that this
[2:42:20] report that you have, the first
[2:42:21] phase, does state this is the
[2:42:24] tip of the iceberg. There's
[2:42:26] more that we're looking into.
[2:42:28] so the audit review is a pattern
[2:42:30] of win supervisor using his
[2:42:32] office to steer public dollars
[2:42:34] to his family, campaign donors,
[2:42:37] most without competitive bidding
[2:42:39] and with staff also afraid to
[2:42:42] push back. I know we made a lot
[2:42:44] of strides in improving our
[2:42:47] processes, but it's very clear
[2:42:49] that there needs to be more.
[2:42:50] and so I do have quite a few
[2:42:54] questions. So you're going to
[2:42:56] have to bear with me. I know
[2:43:05] that you've identified some
[2:43:07] folks that you've talked to. I
[2:43:10] guess my first -- I mean, you
[2:43:12] reported that you tried to talk
[2:43:13] to the former chief of staff,
[2:43:16] and there was no response.
[2:43:19] >>speaker: correct.
[2:43:20] >>janet nguyen: you've also
[2:43:21] talked about not being able to
[2:43:26] get a response from the 360
[2:43:27] clinic and vince tien.
[2:43:30] >>speaker: right. When we
[2:43:32] emailed him we received a
[2:43:34] response from 360 clinic's their
[2:43:36] counsel mr. Tien was no longer
[2:43:39] floyd and they were going to be
[2:43:40] answering the questions that we
[2:43:42] had. And they did respond and
[2:43:44] provide information to us on
[2:43:46] behalf 360 clinic.
[2:43:56] >>janet nguyen: I'm sure he's
[2:43:57] still employed there because
[2:43:59] it's all over his facebook. He
[2:44:01] is no longer employed by 360
[2:44:03] clinic or the mother ship of the
[2:44:05] corporation?
[2:44:07] >>speaker: we were informed that
[2:44:08] he is not an employee of the
[2:44:10] special entity, the 360 health
[2:44:12] plan dba 360 clinic, which was
[2:44:16] the questions related to this
[2:44:17] contract. And so that's
[2:44:19] information we were provided
[2:44:21] from the legal counsel. I guess
[2:44:23] the email was forwarded to them.
[2:44:24] >>janet nguyen: which is
[2:44:26] actually very disturbing.
[2:44:28] because 360 clinic itself has
[2:44:29] been shut down for a while, it's
[2:44:31] the mother ship, the 24/7 care,
[2:44:33] hospice care and all of the
[2:44:35] other entities that they own
[2:44:36] collectively between the
[2:44:39] brothers, gary and larry nguyen.
[2:44:42] so they're now declined to speak
[2:44:45] to us because of a company that
[2:44:47] they formed days after or days
[2:44:51] before they got the massive
[2:44:53] millions and millions of dollars
[2:44:54] from this county contract. So I
[2:44:57] think then that tells me that we
[2:44:59] need to either force the
[2:45:02] information or send this over to
[2:45:04] the doj and d.a. Because that's
[2:45:08] not a response we want. I mean,
[2:45:10] that's not a right response, is
[2:45:14] 360 has been shut down for a
[2:45:16] while. And so, but, yet, he's
[2:45:19] still employed within the
[2:45:20] corporation somewhere else. So
[2:45:23] this is where, you know, it's
[2:45:24] frustrating for me, is that if
[2:45:27] we can't get a whole -- if we
[2:45:29] can't talk to his former chief
[2:45:31] of staff, if we can't talk to
[2:45:33] people at 360, then who else?
[2:45:36] if vince tien is no longer
[2:45:38] there, who else is there
[2:45:40] currently? Is it fully shut
[2:45:42] down? When did he leave? These
[2:45:45] are the kinds of information I
[2:45:46] think his attorneys should
[2:45:47] probably submit to us and send
[2:45:49] over to us if they, you know --
[2:45:51] because they're still holding
[2:45:52] our money potentially. And
[2:45:54] that's where, you know, I want
[2:45:56] to go in to is, that you know,
[2:45:59] they submitted to us, what,
[2:46:02] $60,000-plus -- they submitted
[2:46:06] 60,000-plus claims but only
[2:46:09] 30,000 claims were documented.
[2:46:12] we paid for all of these other
[2:46:13] claims without any documents.
[2:46:16] what happens there? Who do we
[2:46:18] go to and ask? If it's not
[2:46:20] vince, who else at the company,
[2:46:23] are the fundings still there?
[2:46:24] and quite frankly at this point
[2:46:26] I think we need to insist on
[2:46:28] doj, the fraud and abuse
[2:46:30] department of doj, to really
[2:46:32] look into this. Because if they
[2:46:34] are sending us -- I think it was
[2:46:38] 69,000 claims, imagine how much
[2:46:41] was sent to the department of
[2:46:43] medi-cal for reimbursement, and
[2:46:46] what has that looked at? I
[2:46:48] mean, this is where, I think,
[2:46:50] you know, the question about 360
[2:46:52] clinic has been out there for
[2:46:53] many, many years. Everybody's
[2:46:55] talked about it. And no one has
[2:46:57] stepped up and actually done
[2:46:59] anything. And we've barely even
[2:47:02] touched a bit of it. And so I
[2:47:04] think, you know, whether you can
[2:47:06] do it or our legal counsel --
[2:47:10] county counsel -- I know that we
[2:47:12] have potential lawsuits and
[2:47:15] et cetera. But I think we need
[2:47:17] to really come up with some kind
[2:47:19] of solution because this is
[2:47:22] getting too old. We need to do
[2:47:26] something besides just suing
[2:47:27] them in a civil case because
[2:47:29] that's going to take forever.
[2:47:30] we're talking about fraud in the
[2:47:33] tens of millions of dollars
[2:47:34] potentially to not just the
[2:47:35] county of orange but also to the
[2:47:37] federal government. And so the
[2:47:42] assistant that, you know, we
[2:47:43] need to go back and ask them,
[2:47:45] one, does the 360 clinic
[2:47:47] actually still officially
[2:47:48] accompany -- a company? Two, if
[2:47:53] yes, then who is still there?
[2:47:54] who can we talk to? If they
[2:47:57] don't want to let us talk to
[2:47:58] vince, then who else? And what
[2:48:00] is the responsibility of the
[2:48:02] corporations that are above 360?
[2:48:07] what are their responsibilities,
[2:48:08] you know? Because obviously,
[2:48:11] 360 is just a dba of, you
[2:48:13] know -- of a subcompany, of the
[2:48:16] mother ship. And so I think
[2:48:18] those are the kinds of questions
[2:48:19] I would like you to go back and
[2:48:21] ask them. But on top of that,
[2:48:23] though, I think we need to go a
[2:48:24] little further and to insist on
[2:48:25] getting all the documentation of
[2:48:28] all the claims that were
[2:48:30] submitted to the county, that
[2:48:32] hasn't been submitted yet
[2:48:33] outside of the 30,000 claims
[2:48:37] that's been submitted.
[2:48:38] >>speaker: and to clarify, with
[2:48:39] the 13,000, this was a function
[2:48:41] of the timing when they were --
[2:48:43] when those were -- the county
[2:48:45] requested the -- so for the --
[2:48:48] prior to that the process was
[2:48:49] they submitted an excel
[2:48:51] spreadsheet with the summary and
[2:48:53] then I don't remember what time
[2:48:54] period it was, but then that's
[2:48:56] when based on some of the --
[2:48:58] that they were reviewing
[2:49:00] information and certain other
[2:49:01] information came to light, the
[2:49:03] decision was made to request the
[2:49:04] supporting documentation and the
[2:49:07] explanations of benefits for the
[2:49:07] remaining 13,000, just to
[2:49:10] clarify as to the why the 13,000
[2:49:13] is the number out of the -- not
[2:49:15] the entire 69,000.
[2:49:17] >>janet nguyen: but that I
[2:49:18] believe is during the time when
[2:49:20] the county looked at it and
[2:49:21] started questioning. That's why
[2:49:23] they asked for that number. So
[2:49:25] I think though at this point we
[2:49:26] should ask for all. We should
[2:49:29] ask to get all the documentation
[2:49:30] of all of the other claims, you
[2:49:33] know. I mean, we're lucky if we
[2:49:36] can get it from them. It
[2:49:37] doesn't seem like they want to
[2:49:39] have any conversation with any
[2:49:41] authority or us, any public
[2:49:44] agency at this point. But I
[2:49:45] think this is what transparency
[2:49:47] is. If they haven't done
[2:49:49] anything wrong, they should then
[2:49:50] submit the information. If they
[2:49:52] haven't done anything wrong,
[2:49:53] vince should be talking to us,
[2:49:55] or whoever it is, whether it's
[2:49:56] gary, larry or whoever it is,
[2:49:58] that, you know, that ran the
[2:50:00] 360. Because they are all
[2:50:02] connected. It's not that they
[2:50:05] aren't. My next -- so what is
[2:50:09] the next step then if his former
[2:50:12] chief staff is not talking to
[2:50:13] us? What do we do? I mean, how
[2:50:16] do we get more information if
[2:50:16] he's not willing to talk to us?
[2:50:20] >>speaker: we don't have
[2:50:21] subpoena power, so -- and he's a
[2:50:23] former employee, he's so not
[2:50:25] obliged to participate. We've
[2:50:27] reviewed his emails, and we've
[2:50:30] conducted interviews with people
[2:50:32] who, you know, were witness to
[2:50:36] how decisions were made, but
[2:50:38] short of having subpoena power,
[2:50:40] there's really not a whole lot
[2:50:42] that we can do from -- as far as
[2:50:45] weaver to compel him to speak
[2:50:47] with us or provide us with any
[2:50:48] kind of information.
[2:50:50] >>janet nguyen: thank you. And
[2:50:51] so then, mr. County counsel, I
[2:50:55] would then -- I know that the
[2:50:57] d.a. Has mentioned publically
[2:50:59] that he is looking at report as
[2:51:00] well. But I think an official
[2:51:05] request from the county to the
[2:51:06] d.a. And ag and/or the doj --
[2:51:12] and actually officially sending
[2:51:13] them the report I think would be
[2:51:15] more helpful than just to hope
[2:51:18] that they caught article and
[2:51:20] read it. So I think, you know,
[2:51:23] furthering that would give them
[2:51:25] potentially -- because, you
[2:51:28] know, all the -- those who were
[2:51:31] part of the scheme has not been
[2:51:34] touched yet. And I think this
[2:51:36] is not just something that is on
[2:51:38] just andrew do. We need make
[2:51:41] sure that the public understands
[2:51:44] that we are going to hold people
[2:51:46] accountable. Not just the one
[2:51:48] individual. And so we just need
[2:51:52] to make sure that they continue
[2:51:54] to look at this case and see if
[2:51:56] there's -- maybe there might
[2:51:58] even be new cases or new
[2:52:01] findings that wasn't part of the
[2:52:04] previous plea agreement with the
[2:52:06] former supervisor. Were you
[2:52:09] able to interview clayton chau,
[2:52:16] the former hca director?
[2:52:19] >>speaker: yes, we were able to
[2:52:21] speak with him.
[2:52:23] >>janet nguyen: I know that you
[2:52:24] found nothing, but is there --
[2:52:26] was it very specific questions
[2:52:28] you asked him or was he willing
[2:52:33] to provide more information
[2:52:33] or -- I'm just -- because
[2:52:38] there's a lot of the items that
[2:52:41] was given out, came -- a lot
[2:52:46] came from hca, and so he was at
[2:52:49] the helm. What is it that we
[2:52:51] don't know, and how can we make
[2:52:54] sure that everybody rock's
[2:52:57] uncovered.
[2:53:00] >>speaker: we spoke with him for
[2:53:01] probably an hour and a half. We
[2:53:03] have, you know, a list of 40 or
[2:53:07] 50 questions, and he answered,
[2:53:10] you know, all of our questions
[2:53:11] and was cooperative. But, yeah,
[2:53:16] we did have specific questions,
[2:53:18] you know, not just about the
[2:53:19] contract with 360 clinic but
[2:53:22] other healthcare agency
[2:53:24] contracts that were awarded
[2:53:26] during his tenure.
[2:53:31] >>janet nguyen: so nothing
[2:53:33] alarming to you?
[2:53:34] >>speaker: I think the common
[2:53:36] theme was the pandemic and the
[2:53:38] certain circumstances that were
[2:53:40] being operated during that time
[2:53:41] period. And I think that
[2:53:43] environment is different than
[2:53:44] the normal procurement
[2:53:45] environment and I think he
[2:53:50] joined the county in april of
[2:53:54] 2020 right when the pandemic
[2:53:56] started or a month into it, so I
[2:53:57] think that that was -- played a
[2:54:00] role into, you know, a lot of
[2:54:02] the contracts that we're looking
[2:54:03] at, you know, in the backdrop of
[2:54:06] that as the pandemic and the
[2:54:08] need to get contracts approved
[2:54:13] quickly, get things -- the
[2:54:15] testing, for example, get it up
[2:54:16] and rung as quickly as possible.
[2:54:18] I think that was, you know, his
[2:54:19] priority and focus.
[2:54:28] >>janet nguyen: the report shows
[2:54:31] he 33 of the 145 contracts
[2:54:34] having significant findings. In
[2:54:38] your professional judgment, do
[2:54:40] you believe that the conduct
[2:54:41] you've documented was isolated
[2:54:44] to just those 33 or does it
[2:54:47] reflect a broader pattern than
[2:54:48] may extend in phases 2 and 4?
[2:54:51] >>speaker: so we highlighted
[2:54:52] kind of the more significant
[2:54:54] findings in the executive
[2:54:55] summary, but there were some
[2:54:57] other observations associated
[2:54:58] with the other -- some of the
[2:55:00] other contracts. We also know,
[2:55:03] as we've started to look at
[2:55:04] phase 2 contracts, which are
[2:55:08] classified as high priority by
[2:55:10] the internal audit department
[2:55:12] selection of contracts, that we
[2:55:13] know that there are contracts
[2:55:15] included in those. There are
[2:55:16] 630 that relate to, you know,
[2:55:19] specific districts and
[2:55:20] specifically district 1
[2:55:21] contracts that, you know, may
[2:55:23] have similar patterns to some of
[2:55:25] the ones we saw in phase 1. So
[2:55:29] I don't think we can speak to
[2:55:31] phases 3 and 4, but for phase 2
[2:55:33] I think there is the potential
[2:55:34] for some of the same pattern to
[2:55:37] be identified in some of these
[2:55:40] phase 2 contracts.
[2:55:44] >>janet nguyen: I know that for
[2:55:47] reference a lot of emails that
[2:55:48] you read between do, his chief
[2:55:51] of staff and the vendors, were
[2:55:53] there any communications you
[2:55:55] reviewed that you were unable to
[2:55:56] include in the report that you
[2:56:00] believe is relevant to the full
[2:56:01] picture and was there any
[2:56:04] repeated approval chain that
[2:56:10] were pragmatic contracts, like
[2:56:12] were there employees whose name
[2:56:14] kept on coming up across
[2:56:16] multiple finding?
[2:56:16] we should be aware of?
[2:56:18] >>speaker: so the first question
[2:56:20] regarding the emails, so there
[2:56:22] was emails that raised concerns
[2:56:25] that we didn't include
[2:56:27] necessarily because of the --
[2:56:29] they didn't relate to the
[2:56:30] contracts included in phase 1,
[2:56:31] although, we did make reference
[2:56:33] to them. So for example, in the
[2:56:35] report we mention that we came
[2:56:37] across an email that showed that
[2:56:39] there was a permit issued by hd
[2:56:42] construction owned by mr. Pham
[2:56:46] related to a kitchen renovation
[2:56:47] for the personal residence of
[2:56:50] former supervisor do. That
[2:56:51] email didn't relate to a
[2:56:53] specific contract, but it was
[2:56:56] relevant. So we referenced it
[2:56:58] as part of a broader picture.
[2:57:01] and so to the extent we didn't
[2:57:05] reference an email specifically,
[2:57:07] it may have just been a function
[2:57:07] of whether it applied or was
[2:57:10] relevant to a specific contract.
[2:57:12] >>janet nguyen: what about names
[2:57:13] of employees that have been
[2:57:16] mentioned multiple times in any
[2:57:19] of the conversations or any of
[2:57:21] the interviews that, you know --
[2:57:24] that we should be aware of?
[2:57:27] >>speaker: so there --
[2:57:30] >>janet nguyen: outside the
[2:57:31] chief of staff, you know, or the
[2:57:35] usual suspect already.
[2:57:36] >>speaker: we talked to a number
[2:57:37] of employees who -- you know,
[2:57:40] whether they were a contract
[2:57:41] manager or, you know, involved
[2:57:45] somehow in the procurement
[2:57:46] process, you know, whether it's
[2:57:48] with occr or hca or the county
[2:57:52] executive office. To the extent
[2:57:54] that we saw that they were part
[2:57:56] of the approval process, we
[2:57:57] wanted to get information from
[2:57:59] them to determine were there any
[2:58:00] efforts to influence or pressure
[2:58:02] them. And I think that's where
[2:58:04] one of the observations and find
[2:58:07] things that we had was that for
[2:58:08] some of the contracts
[2:58:10] specifically with the festivals
[2:58:11] and the events, there was, you
[2:58:14] know, things that were kind
[2:58:15] of -- they did have questions
[2:58:17] about like why are we paying
[2:58:19] this vendor in advance, which is
[2:58:22] a gray area. It's not something
[2:58:24] that's explicitly prohibited.
[2:58:27] there's -- and so they, you
[2:58:29] know, raised concerns to their
[2:58:31] supervisors, and that's where
[2:58:33] the -- I think the culture of,
[2:58:34] if they didn't, you know,
[2:58:36] approve that and move forward
[2:58:39] with, it they were likely going
[2:58:40] to get a call from either
[2:58:42] mr. Wangsaporn or former
[2:58:45] supervisor do. And so that was
[2:58:46] the environment which a lot of
[2:58:49] the procurement decisions, was
[2:58:51] there was some things that were
[2:58:53] in the gray area, especially
[2:58:55] with this period of emergency
[2:58:59] purchases, sole-source
[2:59:00] purchases, district
[2:59:01] discretionary funds that had
[2:59:02] been approved at the board level
[2:59:04] that were used to justify these
[2:59:08] decisions, and they felt, you
[2:59:11] know, that if they didn't go
[2:59:12] along with it that they would
[2:59:14] get a call. So I don't know if
[2:59:16] that answers your question, but
[2:59:22] there were employees involved
[2:59:23] with a lot of the different
[2:59:25] contracts because a lot of these
[2:59:27] were the same types of
[2:59:27] contracts.
[2:59:28] >>janet nguyen: I was looking
[2:59:30] for more of a pattern, right,
[2:59:30] like if there was a specific
[2:59:32] employee that kept on -- besides
[2:59:33] his chief of staff -- pushing it
[2:59:35] internally at the county level
[2:59:36] that we are not aware of.
[2:59:39] >>speaker: not that --
[2:59:41] >>janet nguyen: you know, one or
[2:59:42] two -- I've seen some of the
[2:59:43] emails that questioned it, and
[2:59:45] it went all the way up to the
[2:59:46] highest chain in this county.
[2:59:49] but it's more I'm trying to see
[2:59:52] was there a pattern of county
[2:59:53] employees outside of his office
[2:59:56] that were always involved in
[2:59:59] every one of these potential
[3:00:02] contracts or payments when a
[3:00:05] payment request comes in.
[3:00:07] that's what I'm more curious
[3:00:08] about.
[3:00:09] >>speaker: so I would say no,
[3:00:11] but there were people who were
[3:00:12] being -- on the receiving end of
[3:00:16] it, that they were being pushed
[3:00:18] or they were -- they knew if
[3:00:21] they didn't approve it, they
[3:00:21] would get pushed by district 1
[3:00:24] leadership.
[3:00:25] >>janet nguyen: and then I've
[3:00:26] got a few more, mr. Chairman,
[3:00:28] and then I'll pause so that my
[3:00:30] colleagues, if anybody else has
[3:00:32] questions on, it I would request
[3:00:33] a few more. But let me -- I
[3:00:37] know you also touched on dtn and
[3:00:40] tech. And the report notes that
[3:00:42] the chief of staff, you know, e
[3:00:44] emailed dtn tech to tend out
[3:00:48] 54,000 household mailers to the
[3:00:50] district, right. And did you
[3:00:52] examine whether any of those
[3:00:54] mailers would be billed to the
[3:00:57] county at a different rate other
[3:00:57] than what was billed to
[3:01:00] political campaigns.
[3:01:01] >>speaker: so we spoke with dtn
[3:01:05] techs ownership a couple of
[3:01:06] times and asked similar
[3:01:08] questions. What they informed
[3:01:09] us was that the process by which
[3:01:12] they are contracted for
[3:01:14] different campaigns, there's a
[3:01:15] bidding process, so the pricing
[3:01:17] is locked in based on the bid.
[3:01:20] typically they're engaged
[3:01:21] through a creditor or consultant
[3:01:23] like a campaign consultant,
[3:01:26] versus, you know, directly by
[3:01:27] the campaign but I think that
[3:01:32] varies. But, no, and there's
[3:01:34] also oversight through the
[3:01:36] federal election commission. So
[3:01:37] I think that we didn't identify
[3:01:40] evidence if there was any kind
[3:01:41] of, you know, reduced pricing or
[3:01:45] discounts, you know, for the
[3:01:47] campaign services. But we also
[3:01:49] didn't have full visibility into
[3:01:53] their contracts for campaigns as
[3:01:56] that was outside our scope.
[3:01:58] >>janet nguyen: did you ask for
[3:02:01] it and did they give it to you?
[3:02:03] >>speaker: they said they did
[3:02:04] not have it. I think their
[3:02:07] response was they would need
[3:02:09] permission to provide it based
[3:02:11] on their contracts with campaign
[3:02:12] consultants.
[3:02:13] >>janet nguyen: so that --
[3:02:16] because, here's what's
[3:02:16] interesting, here's a mailer
[3:02:18] from the former supervisor for a
[3:02:21] tet festival. Here's a mailer
[3:02:24] for his chief of staff. They're
[3:02:29] identical, same size. I would
[3:02:31] be curious to see what the
[3:02:32] differences in cost is. Because
[3:02:36] I'll tell you, from what we've
[3:02:38] seen, when you look at campaign
[3:02:40] reports, it seems like he got --
[3:02:43] this is just an estimate because
[3:02:44] we don't know the exact how many
[3:02:46] went out -- almost like 16 cents
[3:02:49] per piece that he paid, which is
[3:02:52] unbelievable. Everyone on this
[3:02:56] dais can say that is like the
[3:02:57] cheapest you can ever -- it's
[3:03:00] unheard of. So that's where is
[3:03:03] that they should be able to
[3:03:06] provide that information because
[3:03:08] it's very clear that campaign
[3:03:11] will pay for what it is in terms
[3:03:14] of postage just like everybody
[3:03:16] else, unless it goes through a
[3:03:19] nonprofit or to the party. It's
[3:03:22] a little discounted rate there.
[3:03:24] but most campaigns pay the same
[3:03:27] stamp rate that you and I would
[3:03:29] pay if we were to mail to our
[3:03:31] family, friends or bills, right.
[3:03:33] and so that's where I think if
[3:03:34] they're exactly identical, it's
[3:03:37] the same company, I'm more
[3:03:38] curious to know was the county
[3:03:42] overbilled or overcharged to
[3:03:45] give someone else a discount,
[3:03:47] which is actually illegal.
[3:03:51] because that's not only, one,
[3:03:53] the county is paying for
[3:03:55] someone's campaign mailers but,
[3:03:58] two, is they're getting favors
[3:04:00] from a county to off-set a
[3:04:03] donation from the company that
[3:04:04] exceeds the contribution limits.
[3:04:06] and so I think going back to dtn
[3:04:11] and asking those questions would
[3:04:13] be helpful a former staff that
[3:04:17] worked for the county at one of
[3:04:18] the supervisor's offices at the
[3:04:20] time is also the campaign
[3:04:22] manager and the consultant to
[3:04:24] dtn tech. And so I think those
[3:04:26] are the kind of questions that
[3:04:28] should be asked, and if they
[3:04:29] won't provide it, then, I'm
[3:04:31] sorry, mr. County counsel, those
[3:04:35] who work for you, it's time to
[3:04:36] ask fppc to ask, because fppc
[3:04:41] can subpoena those records. And
[3:04:43] if it's the question coming from
[3:04:45] the county, this will have to
[3:04:48] provide those records. How much
[3:04:50] was mailed out, for what mailer,
[3:04:53] what the cost was per piece,
[3:04:55] what the cost was per postage,
[3:04:58] and then we should, from the
[3:04:59] county's side, ask that from our
[3:05:02] side, if it was mailed 54,000,
[3:05:04] how much was it per piece? How
[3:05:07] much did we pay in postage? How
[3:05:09] many of the mailers were done
[3:05:11] during that time? Because dtn
[3:05:13] not only had contracts with the
[3:05:14] county in terms of mailers, but
[3:05:17] also had contracts in terms of
[3:05:21] swags. Whether it's t-shirts or
[3:05:24] whatever, they had a huge
[3:05:26] contract with the county
[3:05:27] overall. And so what is it that
[3:05:30] they got that could potentially
[3:05:34] off-set these campaigns? And if
[3:05:38] I'm wrong, then, great, we don't
[3:05:40] have a problem. But if I'm not
[3:05:43] wrong, I mean, I would love to
[3:05:44] be proved wrong. But I don't
[3:05:49] think I'm wrong, but my
[3:05:50] suspicion, my -- I'm thinking --
[3:05:58] or I believe that there's some
[3:05:59] unfairness here. And I think
[3:06:00] that the taxpayer county
[3:06:02] residents had to pay for someone
[3:06:04] else's campaign for favors. And
[3:06:07] so I think, you know, going back
[3:06:09] asking dtn for these documents,
[3:06:11] if they don't provide, it we
[3:06:13] should go ahead and ask fppc to
[3:06:15] get involved.
[3:06:17] >>speaker: yeah. I understand.
[3:06:19] we did ask the questions about
[3:06:21] the pricing for the campaigns.
[3:06:23] and, you know, there's us asking
[3:06:25] for documents related to
[3:06:26] non-county contracts, you know,
[3:06:28] is -- I think that's where we
[3:06:30] have limitations, but we also
[3:06:32] did review the contracts with
[3:06:33] dtn tech that were in phase 1
[3:06:36] that related to mailing
[3:06:36] services, swag services as well
[3:06:38] as obviously the nutrition gap
[3:06:42] program. Those were all
[3:06:44] competitively bid with the --
[3:06:47] well, or emergency purchase.
[3:06:49] but the mailers specifically,
[3:06:51] they're part the group of
[3:06:55] businesses that are, you know,
[3:06:59] selected through the rfp process
[3:07:00] that have a -- on demand or
[3:07:02] as-needed-type contract. I
[3:07:05] understand what you're saying,
[3:07:07] and I think we can ask them and
[3:07:09] then we can coordinate with the
[3:07:11] internal audit department based
[3:07:12] on what kind of response that we
[3:07:14] get.
[3:07:15] >>janet nguyen: mr. Chairman,
[3:07:16] I'll pause for now and pass to
[3:07:18] my colleagues.
[3:07:20] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[3:07:21] supervisor foley.
[3:07:22] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: thank
[3:07:23] you mr. Chairman, thank you
[3:07:24] supervisor nguyen. You gave me
[3:07:26] a lot to think about because --
[3:07:28] so supervisor wagner and I over
[3:07:30] here saying, well, we just use
[3:07:31] the in-house print shop at the
[3:07:33] county wouldn't even occur to me
[3:07:36] to go and hire a private company
[3:07:39] to do mailers or printing for
[3:07:41] our work here at county because
[3:07:43] typically it's going to be a lot
[3:07:45] less expensive to use the
[3:07:46] in-house print shop than to be
[3:07:49] hiring private printers. So
[3:07:52] that is of concern, and I
[3:07:55] support the effort to kind of
[3:07:57] dig into that. So the other
[3:08:00] issue with this dtn, and I like
[3:08:03] us to maybe look into this.
[3:08:08] maybe it can be procurement.
[3:08:10] I'm not sure if it needs to be
[3:08:12] the forensic auditing. But when
[3:08:13] I first got here in 2021, this
[3:08:16] was a company that just was
[3:08:19] given to us in my office. This
[3:08:22] is -- we were told this is who
[3:08:23] we order all of our things
[3:08:25] through. And so we accepted
[3:08:27] that as this is coming from the
[3:08:29] county people, and this is where
[3:08:31] we would order, you know,
[3:08:34] jackets and things that we need
[3:08:41] for the office. And soon
[3:08:43] thereafter, I learned sort of
[3:08:44] the connection with the
[3:08:45] political people and I didn't
[3:08:46] feel right about it, so then we
[3:08:48] did kind of an outsourcing and
[3:08:50] tried to get other bids and went
[3:08:51] to a different vendor. We have
[3:08:53] a couple now that we use for
[3:08:56] purchasing t-shirts or if the
[3:09:05] staff needs a jacket or anything
[3:09:06] like that that we try not to buy
[3:09:08] too much of, but if we do need
[3:09:10] to. So I do that I is in the
[3:09:11] realm of how did this vendor
[3:09:13] become like the vendor for the
[3:09:17] board? I think moving forward
[3:09:20] may be what we might want to do
[3:09:22] is make sure -- and I do think
[3:09:24] the -- some of the procedures
[3:09:27] and protocols that we've put
[3:09:28] into place over the last two
[3:09:30] years will probably eliminate
[3:09:33] that from happening in the
[3:09:34] future. But just in case we
[3:09:39] should probably have -- we
[3:09:40] should probably have like a list
[3:09:42] of approved vetted, you know,
[3:09:45] competitively bid vendors that
[3:09:49] the board office can choose
[3:09:52] from, and that anybody that
[3:09:53] wants to be added to that list
[3:09:54] should have to go through the
[3:09:56] same protocol and process. It
[3:09:59] shouldn't be just like here's
[3:09:59] the vendor for the board,
[3:10:01] especially for people coming in.
[3:10:03] we don't know anything. We all
[3:10:04] know a lot more now than I ever
[3:10:06] knew when I first got here. As
[3:10:08] the 360 clinic, I also think we
[3:10:11] should still consider looking
[3:10:12] into this. And I'll say this, I
[3:10:15] had been hearing about this in
[3:10:16] the community, actually,
[3:10:18] supervisor nguyen, then senator
[3:10:20] nguyen and I spoke about this in
[3:10:22] 2022. And I spoke to the then
[3:10:26] ceo about it. I spoke to the
[3:10:29] then healthcare agency director
[3:10:31] about it, and was basically told
[3:10:35] there's nothing to see here,
[3:10:39] right. And then in january of
[3:10:42] 2025, I brought this up again
[3:10:44] because there was some news that
[3:10:47] came out regarding this
[3:10:49] particular business entity.
[3:10:51] and, again, there was nothing to
[3:10:54] see here. So at some point
[3:10:57] we've got to figure out why we
[3:10:59] don't see what's actually there.
[3:11:02] and so I'm not sure how to fix
[3:11:04] that, but this forensic you ad
[3:11:07] thought we've done now reveals
[3:11:09] there is something to see and
[3:11:10] maybe we should have seen it
[3:11:11] sooner. And so that's something
[3:11:12] that we should look into. And
[3:11:16] that goes to the issue also of,
[3:11:20] during this time period, 2021 to
[3:11:24] 2022/23 time period, multiple
[3:11:31] city managers, multiple
[3:11:32] community leaders, staff,
[3:11:36] nonprofit executives would
[3:11:38] contact me and complain about
[3:11:41] what they were concerned were
[3:11:44] maybe unethical dealings.
[3:11:45] that's all we thought it was at
[3:11:47] that time. Maybe unethical, not
[3:11:48] necessarily realizing it rises
[3:11:50] to the level of criminal
[3:11:53] violations. And so we did not
[3:11:58] have a good -- since we had the
[3:12:01] fraud hotline people could call.
[3:12:03] but it didn't seem to work.
[3:12:06] we -- people would elevate their
[3:12:09] complaint through the chain of
[3:12:11] command. It didn't seem to
[3:12:13] work. So what's to say that all
[3:12:16] these new protocols that we have
[3:12:17] to now will work? What is it
[3:12:21] that will make them work?
[3:12:22] because when you have somebody
[3:12:25] who is the head of a nonprofit
[3:12:26] calling a county supervisor,
[3:12:28] crying on the phone, concerned
[3:12:30] that she's going to be in
[3:12:32] violation of law somehow by
[3:12:34] following a director of another
[3:12:36] county supervisor and there's
[3:12:40] nothing we can do about it, I
[3:12:41] mean, what else do we need to do
[3:12:43] to make sure that when a county
[3:12:47] staff member or a community
[3:12:49] member or a contractor of the
[3:12:51] county makes an official
[3:12:54] complaint, that it actually gets
[3:12:57] investigated by an objective
[3:13:01] third party?
[3:13:02] I think that's where there
[3:13:06] wasn't that happening then. And
[3:13:08] the fact that you're an
[3:13:10] objective third party, so you're
[3:13:11] not -- you're just looking at
[3:13:13] everything objectively, and now
[3:13:15] we're discovering things that
[3:13:16] probably we all thought were
[3:13:17] there but we didn't have any
[3:13:19] proof. So I don't know if you
[3:13:21] could answer that question, and
[3:13:23] then I have another question.
[3:13:24] >>speaker: I think there's a few
[3:13:25] things as far as the
[3:13:26] effectiveness of a fraud hotline
[3:13:28] go, and some of it comes down to
[3:13:31] resources. Some of it comes
[3:13:32] down to the structure and making
[3:13:36] sure there's clear protocols.
[3:13:38] so if an hr-related allegation
[3:13:42] comes in that it's not
[3:13:43] investigated by somebody who is
[3:13:46] the -- in hr that is the
[3:13:48] supervisor of that particular
[3:13:49] group, you know, making sure
[3:13:51] there's -- based on the nature
[3:13:53] of the allegation, who is going
[3:13:55] to be the lead on investigating
[3:13:56] it, there needs to be awareness
[3:13:59] as far as what information is
[3:14:01] going to be required to be
[3:14:03] submitted and collected so that
[3:14:05] there is sufficient -- I think a
[3:14:07] lot of times what we see is the
[3:14:09] people who are investigating the
[3:14:10] information from a hotline, they
[3:14:13] don't have enough information
[3:14:14] submitted, and the person is not
[3:14:16] providing their contact
[3:14:18] information to speak to them,
[3:14:19] and so they don't have anyway of
[3:14:20] getting in touch with them, and
[3:14:21] they have nothing else to go on,
[3:14:23] and then that becomes an
[3:14:24] unsubstantiated, you know,
[3:14:26] claim. So I think there's a few
[3:14:27] things that could make it more
[3:14:29] effective. But, you know, I
[3:14:32] think it has to be something
[3:14:33] that is a focus point for
[3:14:35] making those changes and
[3:14:37] improvements in the hotline
[3:14:39] process.
[3:14:40] >>speaker: so one of the
[3:14:41] complaints that I received
[3:14:42] during this relevant time period
[3:14:45] was that the healthcare agency
[3:14:48] that -- the then healthcare
[3:14:50] agency director was contacting
[3:14:51] the santa ana unified school
[3:14:52] district and requiring that they
[3:14:57] employ 360 clinic instead of the
[3:15:02] even thought had competitively
[3:15:04] bid for that contract or had
[3:15:07] been selected. I'm not too
[3:15:09] informed about the process. But
[3:15:11] the santa ana unified school
[3:15:12] district had picked a different
[3:15:14] vendor, and then the healthcare
[3:15:17] agency director, according to
[3:15:19] this complaint, complained and
[3:15:22] said, no, you have to pick 360
[3:15:24] clinic. Did you investigate
[3:15:25] that issue?
[3:15:27] >>speaker: not specifically. We
[3:15:28] looked at all of the emails
[3:15:31] related to 360 clinic, and I
[3:15:33] think there may have been some
[3:15:35] emails where other entities
[3:15:38] would ask about how it went with
[3:15:40] your covid testing and the
[3:15:42] vendor that you used. But we
[3:15:43] didn't see any emails related
[3:15:45] to, you know, directives or
[3:15:48] advocate for 360 clinic to
[3:15:51] receive a contract at another
[3:15:52] government entity or public
[3:15:53] institution.
[3:15:54] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: okay.
[3:15:55] so --
[3:15:57] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: okay.
[3:15:57] so I think this is really
[3:15:58] helpful, and I think we all can
[3:16:00] agree that it was valuable, and
[3:16:02] thank you supervisor sarmiento
[3:16:04] for pushing us to make -- you
[3:16:04] know, do the full audit. In
[3:16:07] 2024/25, we, you know, we made a
[3:16:10] lot of reforms here at county.
[3:16:14] you commented on some of those.
[3:16:15] and those are intended to
[3:16:18] improve the procedures, the
[3:16:18] protocols, the transparency, the
[3:16:21] accountability, and oversight.
[3:16:24] we've implemented nearly all of
[3:16:26] your recommendations already,
[3:16:27] which is the good news, right.
[3:16:32] there's a few that we have not
[3:16:33] implemented. And they relate to
[3:16:37] things that -- I'm not sure we
[3:16:45] would know how to implement
[3:16:46] them. Recovery for 360
[3:16:50] unrecoverable claims. I agree
[3:16:52] that we must proceed to do that,
[3:16:54] and I believe that that is a
[3:16:56] litigation effort. I don't know
[3:16:58] how we do it otherwise. But
[3:17:00] hopefully someone will work on
[3:17:01] that. Referral of campaign
[3:17:04] contributions to former
[3:17:05] supervisor do. That is
[3:17:09] something that hopefully
[3:17:11] question direct staff to -- I
[3:17:14] suppose that would be directing
[3:17:15] mr. Page's office to refer that
[3:17:18] to the fppc. And it wouldn't
[3:17:21] just be related to supervisor
[3:17:24] do, because I think the mailer
[3:17:26] that supervisor nguyen was
[3:17:31] holding up -- you said "chief,"
[3:17:34] but I don't think you meant the
[3:17:35] chief we've been talking about.
[3:17:38] >>janet nguyen: yes. He had two
[3:17:39] chief of staff.
[3:17:40] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: okay.
[3:17:41] so I think that we need to
[3:17:43] address that particular person
[3:17:44] as well. And then you
[3:17:47] indicated -- and then I -- so in
[3:17:51] preparation for today and for
[3:17:53] some other things that I'm
[3:17:54] working on, I went to the county
[3:17:56] website, and I was trying to
[3:17:57] find -- I was trying to pretend
[3:17:59] like I'm a resident or I'm a
[3:18:01] person that doesn't know what I
[3:18:02] know. How I do find this
[3:18:04] information on the coin's web
[3:18:05] night where is the transparency
[3:18:09] portal? How do I see what all
[3:18:11] the board offices have allocated
[3:18:14] in terms of their grants? How
[3:18:16] do I see the contracts? And I
[3:18:19] have to say -- and I don't know
[3:18:21] if you've found in, if you could
[3:18:23] comment on it -- it's very
[3:18:25] difficult. We do not have a
[3:18:27] good website that is current
[3:18:30] that allows everything to be
[3:18:32] centered into one location. And
[3:18:35] if it's there, it's not easily
[3:18:38] found. So you can comment on
[3:18:41] that? Did you discover that as
[3:18:42] well?
[3:18:43] >>speaker: yeah. And we -- I
[3:18:45] think I know what you're
[3:18:46] referring to. There's the
[3:18:48] transparency section that has
[3:18:49] some of the district
[3:18:50] discretionary funds. You know,
[3:18:54] I think generally speaking as
[3:18:55] far as navigating to certain
[3:18:57] documents, we've found that
[3:18:59] sometimes we would just start
[3:19:00] with -- you could do a search
[3:19:01] and get to it, but navigating
[3:19:03] within the website was, you
[3:19:05] know, not intuitive necessarily.
[3:19:07] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: yes.
[3:19:08] so part of what I would
[3:19:09] recommend for today is that we
[3:19:11] have whomever's responsible for
[3:19:15] our website create a
[3:19:16] transparency page that is more
[3:19:20] easily navigatable, I guess, and
[3:19:25] more intuitive. And then we
[3:19:26] also may want to consider
[3:19:30] requiring that the board use the
[3:19:32] in-house print shop instead of
[3:19:36] outsource printing, unless
[3:19:39] approved by the board, because I
[3:19:41] don't really see why we need to
[3:19:42] go outside of the in-house print
[3:19:43] shop. It's actually less
[3:19:45] expensive in normal
[3:19:46] circumstances. And it's our
[3:19:48] staff, and they do a good job.
[3:19:52] so I'm not sure why we wouldn't
[3:19:53] to require that unless it's
[3:19:57] approved by the board. And I
[3:20:00] had a question about a word you
[3:20:02] used. You talked about the word
[3:20:04] "constituents" being a campaign
[3:20:09] word, which that was a surprise
[3:20:12] me because I wouldn't have
[3:20:12] considered constituent its
[3:20:14] related to a campaign --
[3:20:17] constituents related to a
[3:20:17] campaign. When I use the word
[3:20:19] "constituents," it's because I
[3:20:22] want to include businesses and
[3:20:23] residents, and I want it to be
[3:20:25] one word instead of two or
[3:20:27] three. And so I'm not sure why
[3:20:29] that word -- I hope we don't
[3:20:31] adopt that word as a word
[3:20:33] that -- like a campaign word
[3:20:35] because I don't think that --
[3:20:37] I'm not sure about the rest of
[3:20:38] you, but I don't think of
[3:20:40] "constituents" as necessarily
[3:20:41] related to a campaign. That's
[3:20:43] just a shorter way of saying
[3:20:45] residents, businesses,
[3:20:46] nonprofits, all of the people
[3:20:48] and entities that we represent.
[3:20:51] >>speaker: yeah. I think it's
[3:20:53] probably -- yeah, semantics. I
[3:20:57] see your point, and I think what
[3:20:59] we were trying to distinguish is
[3:21:01] that there that have been a
[3:21:02] connotation -- and if there
[3:21:05] is -- there is some definitions
[3:21:07] that include a voting member of
[3:21:08] a constituent for a constituent
[3:21:11] which is slightly different than
[3:21:12] if you were to say a citizen or
[3:21:15] community member. But it is
[3:21:17] more of a connotation and I
[3:21:18] think we were really describing
[3:21:21] it as this festival and the
[3:21:24] mailers to constituents, you
[3:21:27] know, coupled with that there
[3:21:28] was former supervisor do's logo
[3:21:32] on the backdrop everything on
[3:21:34] the festival screens, that those
[3:21:39] festivals to some capacity
[3:21:42] served as campaign events in
[3:21:45] addition to community events.
[3:21:47] that was a long answering.
[3:21:48] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: but
[3:21:49] that wouldn't have to go through
[3:21:49] legal to get approved? I mean,
[3:21:51] we go through legal to get
[3:21:52] approved for everything, and the
[3:21:53] logos for all of us are on
[3:21:55] everything. So we would -- but
[3:21:56] from our office standpoint, I
[3:21:58] can only speak for us, we don't
[3:22:00] send anything out without
[3:22:02] getting it signed off on by
[3:22:05] james harman. And sometimes
[3:22:06] it's different -- 10 different
[3:22:09] back and forth drafts saying if
[3:22:10] you say d5, that's actually my
[3:22:12] name. It's not always
[3:22:14] intuitive, right. So I guess
[3:22:20] the law has rules that govern
[3:22:24] what is allowed by the
[3:22:26] supervisors. So I wouldn't want
[3:22:28] us to characterize something as
[3:22:31] campaign related if it's legal
[3:22:33] under our laws. Does that make
[3:22:36] sense?
[3:22:36] >>speaker: understood, yeah.
[3:22:37] and we did see situation where
[3:22:39] is mailers and logos were
[3:22:41] approved through counsel. I
[3:22:45] don't know if the -- every logo
[3:22:48] that was displayed, you know, on
[3:22:50] the festivals was necessarily
[3:22:52] approved or not. I couldn't
[3:22:54] speak to that. But, yeah, your
[3:22:56] point is taken though with the
[3:22:58] use of the word "constituent."
[3:23:00] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: I'm
[3:23:01] mostly concerned about the fact
[3:23:02] that money was being funneled to
[3:23:04] a particular organization that's
[3:23:07] a business entity, that's
[3:23:09] collecting money and people are
[3:23:11] getting charged, and it's
[3:23:12] collecting money, and then
[3:23:14] they're getting percentages on
[3:23:16] the back of the house that's not
[3:23:17] transparent and that's going to
[3:23:20] family members and friends, and
[3:23:22] we don't have any record of it,
[3:23:24] right. That I think is the
[3:23:25] bigger concern from -- in
[3:23:28] reviewing your information. So
[3:23:30] I thank you for identifying
[3:23:32] those issues and, yeah, it's odd
[3:23:36] to me that a entity would be
[3:23:39] collecting money. And it's an
[3:23:42] llc. It wasn't even a
[3:23:44] nonprofit -- but collecting
[3:23:46] money from different sponsors
[3:23:49] including other government
[3:23:51] agencies to fund something, and
[3:23:53] then getting a commission on
[3:23:55] that. That's very strange. And
[3:23:57] that shouldn't happen. Okay.
[3:23:59] that's pretty much all I had. I
[3:24:01] do think that some of these
[3:24:02] items have been addressed by us,
[3:24:08] and I am grateful that we did
[3:24:13] the deep dive and we now have
[3:24:17] other, I think, reforms that we
[3:24:19] might want to implement. So
[3:24:21] thank you.
[3:24:22] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[3:24:22] supervisor sarmiento.
[3:24:25] >>vincente sarmiento: yes, thank
[3:24:26] you, mr. Chair. , and thank you
[3:24:30] travis for the presentation of
[3:24:32] the power point. And aggie,
[3:24:35] thank you for having your team
[3:24:35] follow up on this. I know we
[3:24:38] started this discussion early on
[3:24:38] and we debated whether or not
[3:24:39] the investment was worth, you
[3:24:42] know, the product, work product
[3:24:45] that we're seeing here today. I
[3:24:46] think it was. I think in the
[3:24:48] end we'll be better for it
[3:24:49] because of what's been
[3:24:51] implemented, what we maybe can
[3:24:54] continue to work on. So I
[3:24:55] certainly believe there's value
[3:24:58] here in what was done. And I
[3:24:58] want to compliment you on your
[3:25:00] work and the weaver team on
[3:25:02] doing that. Obviously, we've
[3:25:04] lived with this a little bit
[3:25:06] longer here on this board
[3:25:07] because we've seen it even those
[3:25:10] supervisor that saw it from the
[3:25:11] time the pandemic was here and
[3:25:12] these sort of unique set of
[3:25:14] circumstances that may be
[3:25:18] allowed for facilitating the
[3:25:20] movement of money without the
[3:25:23] normal oversight. I know to
[3:25:28] supervisor nguyen's point, I
[3:25:30] know she's lived with it for a
[3:25:31] shorter time here. She's lived
[3:25:34] with it in the community seeing
[3:25:34] the impact and consequences of
[3:25:36] it. So I certainly want to make
[3:25:38] sure she has an ample amount of
[3:25:39] time, but a lot of what was said
[3:25:41] regarding just the scope of what
[3:25:43] you're looking at, not just in
[3:25:45] the disburse phase but in the
[3:25:48] subsequent phases really
[3:25:50] important. And I think when we
[3:25:51] talk about terminology, you
[3:25:52] know, what I'm really impressed
[3:25:54] with you reciting in your report
[3:25:56] and in the audit were terms like
[3:25:59] a culture, influence. And I
[3:26:04] assume you're talking about
[3:26:04] undue influence, obfuscate and
[3:26:09] steering of funds in one
[3:26:11] direction or another. So those
[3:26:13] are really elusive things to
[3:26:15] find, but I do think we needed
[3:26:17] somebody who was sort of
[3:26:22] external, objective, away from
[3:26:24] what we were seeing to look at
[3:26:27] this and take a very close soft
[3:26:29] forensic view of this. So I
[3:26:31] certainly appreciate that, and I
[3:26:33] do appreciate the ceo and her
[3:26:36] staff and aggie's team looking
[3:26:37] at some of what's already been
[3:26:40] implemented. I think we've gone
[3:26:42] a long way in talking about sole
[3:26:44] sourcing, improving on that
[3:26:46] familiar relationships and
[3:26:49] having work and contracts sent
[3:26:52] to them. So those are some easy
[3:26:54] things that can be done, and
[3:26:56] they're not -- you know, this is
[3:26:57] more intuitive, standardizing
[3:27:00] invoicing requirements. I think
[3:27:03] standardizing monitoring when it
[3:27:04] comes to federal contracts,
[3:27:06] doing additional training are
[3:27:07] those are not difficult to
[3:27:09] implement. I think what's
[3:27:10] difficult is going back to this
[3:27:12] culture that's referenced
[3:27:15] throughout the audit, and I
[3:27:16] don't want to pick on this
[3:27:18] county because we saw it, and I
[3:27:20] served -- everybody up here has
[3:27:25] served on other public agencies
[3:27:26] where you see the same
[3:27:27] systematic structural problem,
[3:27:29] right, where the elected
[3:27:32] officials have tremendous power,
[3:27:35] right. Some exert it in a very
[3:27:38] positive way, some exert it
[3:27:40] obviously in ways that can be
[3:27:42] criminal, and we saw that not
[3:27:44] just here, but we saw it in one
[3:27:45] of our cities in anaheim when
[3:27:48] the mayor used his influence to
[3:27:50] conduct himself in a corrupt and
[3:27:52] criminal way. And I've seen it
[3:27:54] throughout my career as an
[3:27:55] elected official, and those
[3:27:58] folks were just not caught.
[3:27:59] they were just more clever.
[3:28:00] they didn't leave the footprint
[3:28:03] that was left here. So I know
[3:28:04] that when I talk I hope I'm not
[3:28:06] being overly critical of the
[3:28:09] county of orange. I just think
[3:28:11] government has this problem
[3:28:13] where, you know, we have a very
[3:28:18] strong and balanced when we have
[3:28:22] an elected official speaking to
[3:28:22] a department manager, an
[3:28:23] executive or even a mid-level
[3:28:25] manager. And sometimes it
[3:28:26] becomes very difficult to, you
[3:28:30] know, balance that, right, and
[3:28:31] make sure that, you know, that
[3:28:34] staff person knows that they
[3:28:36] have rights. And I think to the
[3:28:38] point that was made, how do we,
[3:28:39] you know, create a good fraud
[3:28:42] hotline, whistle-blower
[3:28:43] protection where people feel
[3:28:45] that they're -- that their
[3:28:47] confidentiality will be
[3:28:48] protected. Because that really
[3:28:50] is the only layer of protection
[3:28:51] that we have to be able to find
[3:28:55] some of these things that you
[3:28:56] were looking for. And I want to
[3:28:57] draw your attention to something
[3:28:58] that wasn't mentioned in your
[3:29:07] audit and I saw an occr exchange
[3:29:11] and it was a low-level manager
[3:29:13] or a mid-level manager saying,
[3:29:15] when we were talking about this,
[3:29:16] they said I went to go visit the
[3:29:19] address that was listed on the
[3:29:20] warner wellness viet america
[3:29:23] society offices.
[3:29:24] and they said there's nobody
[3:29:25] there. It's vacant. And this
[3:29:30] is when the discussion was on
[3:29:31] the compliance side, is there
[3:29:32] someone we can speak to from the
[3:29:34] viet america society and warner
[3:29:38] wellness to be able to verify
[3:29:39] whether these meals were
[3:29:41] actually generated and sent and
[3:29:42] received by the seniors in that
[3:29:43] district. Once that email was
[3:29:45] sent, it kind of was
[3:29:52] unresponsive -- or
[3:29:54] under-responded to. I remember
[3:29:56] the former ceo came into my
[3:29:57] office because I asked him to,
[3:29:59] and I said, can you explain what
[3:30:01] happened with this request or
[3:30:02] with this inquiry that was made?
[3:30:07] because that was the first
[3:30:09] indication that I saw in writing
[3:30:11] that somebody was asking the
[3:30:13] question, you know, was there
[3:30:15] compliance with this contract?
[3:30:18] and I remembered the response,
[3:30:21] you know, graphically, which
[3:30:23] was, well, I checked with the
[3:30:27] supervisor's chief of staff, and
[3:30:29] he said that it was. That was
[3:30:31] the response. That was the
[3:30:34] verification. I'm not here to
[3:30:39] throw anybody under the bus but
[3:30:41] I think the point that's being
[3:30:45] made is maybe that people didn't
[3:30:47] work in concert but there were
[3:30:48] people that were trying to draw
[3:30:50] attention to this, and those in
[3:30:51] positions of more executive
[3:30:53] authority disregarded those,
[3:30:58] ignored those, didn't pay
[3:31:00] attention maybe because of that
[3:31:02] same fear and intimidation
[3:31:03] you're referencing in the audit,
[3:31:05] that supervisor do and his chief
[3:31:08] of staff exerted. But that is a
[3:31:09] fatal flaw in government. I
[3:31:14] think what's been said here
[3:31:16] before is you can't legislate
[3:31:18] good behavior. I agree. You
[3:31:19] can't. If someone wants to
[3:31:20] conduct themselves in a criminal
[3:31:23] way and be clever about it and
[3:31:25] be deceitful about it and be
[3:31:27] really good at it, they can.
[3:31:30] it's really hard to govern good
[3:31:32] legal behavior and ethical
[3:31:35] behavior. But one of the things
[3:31:37] I think we can do is we have
[3:31:40] this ethics officer and this
[3:31:43] ethics commission. I don't know
[3:31:44] what it does. It really doesn't
[3:31:47] do anything. I think it should
[3:31:48] have been front and center on
[3:31:50] this with, you know, alarms
[3:31:53] going off, look, this is what
[3:31:54] we're seeing. It's during an
[3:31:57] emergency, we get the conditions
[3:31:59] are irregular, and they're not,
[3:32:01] you know -- it's not a common
[3:32:03] moment. But that's what I think
[3:32:05] that role should have been used
[3:32:08] for at that time. So I don't
[3:32:10] know that's something that can
[3:32:12] be done. I do think that as we
[3:32:14] go through the matrix of
[3:32:19] corrective actions that we've
[3:32:20] taken, I just want to make sure
[3:32:21] that those are fully implemented
[3:32:23] and I know some are in progress,
[3:32:25] and so I certainly appreciate
[3:32:27] the updates and maybe madam ceo,
[3:32:31] we continue with, you know,
[3:32:32] providing updates and maybe
[3:32:34] gap-filling some of what was
[3:32:36] recommended in this audit. So I
[3:32:39] agree with, you know, the
[3:32:39] vice-chair on that and
[3:32:42] supervisor nguyen. I just think
[3:32:44] that, you know, there has to be
[3:32:46] some way where we encourage
[3:32:50] people to come forward because
[3:32:51] this certainly speaks to
[3:32:54] complete discouragement and
[3:32:55] abandonment of people trying to
[3:32:57] call attention to this and
[3:32:58] nothing being done. So I think
[3:33:02] extending the power of the
[3:33:03] ethics officer and its
[3:33:05] commission is something that we
[3:33:05] should consider. And I know
[3:33:07] they're governed by an
[3:33:08] ordinance, and that ordinance is
[3:33:10] really, really toothless, in my
[3:33:12] opinion. It doesn't -- you
[3:33:15] know, they're not allowed to do
[3:33:17] much, they don't have much
[3:33:18] authority, don't have much
[3:33:20] power, and that's something that
[3:33:21] we should revisit. And I think
[3:33:23] that we also may want to
[3:33:25] consider general transparency
[3:33:28] aboard -- at board offices and
[3:33:34] meetings that we entertain, and
[3:33:36] those should be made up.
[3:33:38] they're publically discoverable.
[3:33:40] if somebody asks for a public
[3:33:44] records act request, we should
[3:33:46] have toe demonstrate those. Who
[3:33:48] are we meeting with? Why? How
[3:33:51] long? How often? Those are
[3:33:52] some things that we can do,
[3:33:53] they're general sunshine
[3:33:54] provisions, something we should
[3:33:55] consider looking at. Do we post
[3:33:58] our public contracts? Are they
[3:33:59] readily accessible to the
[3:34:02] public? Again, to the point
[3:34:04] where, is it easily -- is it a
[3:34:08] web site that can be easily
[3:34:09] navigated by a layperson?
[3:34:11] probably not. We just need to
[3:34:14] get better at doing that.
[3:34:15] that's not something I 98 we're
[3:34:16] trying to hide. I just think
[3:34:18] it's more just practical
[3:34:20] challenges for people, an
[3:34:23] average person trying to find
[3:34:24] information. You know, county
[3:34:26] lobbyist registry, I think we
[3:34:29] have that.
[3:34:30] you know, we want to make sure
[3:34:32] that that's also something that
[3:34:33] is readily accessible. I just
[3:34:35] do think that we do have a
[3:34:39] opportunity here, and that's
[3:34:40] what we said at the very
[3:34:42] beginning. This crisis or this
[3:34:45] crime, however we want to
[3:34:47] describe it, gives us a window,
[3:34:48] gives us a moment where we can
[3:34:50] really make improvements to this
[3:34:52] county and be an example to
[3:34:54] others. And I do think that,
[3:34:56] you know, that's how I see it at
[3:34:58] this moment, that we can really
[3:35:00] improve things. I don't think
[3:35:02] we're going to be able to
[3:35:03] eliminate bad behavior or bad
[3:35:06] conduct, but we certainly can go
[3:35:07] a long way into making sure
[3:35:10] there's not complete deference
[3:35:12] to board office. And that's
[3:35:14] something that, to me, I've
[3:35:15] appreciated by our current ceo
[3:35:18] where she pushes back often and
[3:35:20] says, no, we have to go through
[3:35:22] these, and we go through an
[3:35:23] exchange. What I saw when I
[3:35:25] came in it was just the
[3:35:27] opposite, was complete deference
[3:35:29] to certain offices and not
[3:35:31] others. And so that's maybe a
[3:35:35] very difficult problem to solve.
[3:35:38] but, again, I just want to make
[3:35:40] sure we restore that
[3:35:42] responsibility that our
[3:35:43] employees have no matter how --
[3:35:46] you know, whether mid-level,
[3:35:49] low-level, to make sure that if
[3:35:50] they want to call attention to
[3:35:51] something, that it's going to be
[3:35:52] heard, that it's going to be
[3:35:54] received well. So, you know,
[3:35:57] those are sort of my, you know,
[3:36:00] comments on how we can maybe
[3:36:02] gap-fill what you said but also
[3:36:03] going a little bit further on
[3:36:06] making sure that we sunshine
[3:36:07] some of these things and we, you
[3:36:09] know, already disclose things
[3:36:11] that are discoverable. So, you
[3:36:15] know, thank you for doing the
[3:36:16] audit. I look forward to the
[3:36:17] next phases. But you can just,
[3:36:19] you know, quickly tell us what
[3:36:21] do you see in the next phase?
[3:36:25] >>speaker: with respect to phase
[3:36:26] 2, so we've already started
[3:36:28] looking at the vendor reviews
[3:36:29] for phase 2. We know that
[3:36:33] there's contracts and vendors
[3:36:35] that are, you know, also part of
[3:36:36] the district discretionary and
[3:36:39] selected through the districts.
[3:36:42] so we know that there's gonna
[3:36:44] be -- could be similar patterns.
[3:36:47] these are also ones that have,
[3:36:49] you know, emergency purchases,
[3:36:51] sole source procurements, some
[3:36:53] of the other risk factors that
[3:36:55] we see in phase 1. So I think
[3:36:57] that those are, you know, things
[3:36:58] that we're looking for and
[3:37:01] trying to identify the ones that
[3:37:01] we can dig deeper. Do you have
[3:37:09] any thoughts?
[3:37:11] >>speaker: the connections from
[3:37:13] phase 1 -- there is a connection
[3:37:16] sometimes between phase 1 when
[3:37:17] we saw to the phase 2. But we
[3:37:22] marked when we are doing phase
[3:37:26] 1, just that we need to look at
[3:37:28] phase 2 then.
[3:37:32] >>vincente sarmiento: so that's
[3:37:33] helpful. I think phase 2 will
[3:37:35] also hopefully give you an
[3:37:36] opportunity connect some dots,
[3:37:38] right. But if you can make an
[3:37:40] extra effort to look at
[3:37:41] communications, right, and that
[3:37:42] to me is really important. It's
[3:37:45] not to get anybody into trouble.
[3:37:46] it's just a spotlight. What
[3:37:48] happened, how did this occur?
[3:37:51] and I think it's important for
[3:37:53] those communications, whether
[3:37:55] they're text message
[3:37:57] communications, whether they're
[3:37:58] email correspondence staff
[3:38:03] trying to call attention to this
[3:38:05] or any other misuse of public
[3:38:07] funds. I think we have really
[3:38:09] ethical people that work in this
[3:38:11] county, and I'm sure somebody
[3:38:11] saw something. Because these
[3:38:13] are, you know, again, hundreds
[3:38:16] of contracts with, you know,
[3:38:18] hundreds of thousands of dollars
[3:38:19] involved. So I do believe that
[3:38:21] we need to track those
[3:38:23] communications down. I have --
[3:38:25] I saw this communication that
[3:38:26] I'm referring to that I messaged
[3:38:28] to our former ceo once, and it
[3:38:30] was -- it's now completely lost,
[3:38:33] like nobody can produce it. And
[3:38:35] I've asked for it several times.
[3:38:37] so I will work with you to make
[3:38:38] sure we identify that exchange
[3:38:42] and that email chain because
[3:38:45] it's important. It's indicative
[3:38:47] of what we may find more of.
[3:38:50] so, please, let's, you know --
[3:38:53] let's continue on with that, and
[3:38:55] I appreciate the work that
[3:38:55] you've done. Mr. Chair, those
[3:38:57] are my comments.
[3:38:58] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[3:38:58] you, we're back to supervisor
[3:39:00] nguyen.
[3:39:01] >>janet nguyen: thank you
[3:39:01] mr. Chair. Just a couple more
[3:39:04] directives. I know that while
[3:39:05] you're working on the 360 clinic
[3:39:09] issue, I think coordination with
[3:39:10] caloptima, because they were
[3:39:12] looking at it as well, sharing
[3:39:16] of, you know, documents between
[3:39:18] the two public agencies to see
[3:39:20] if there's others I think would
[3:39:22] be more helpful than not. They
[3:39:25] might have information that we
[3:39:25] don't already have. And, you
[3:39:27] know, also looking into, you
[3:39:29] know -- my understanding is the
[3:39:32] former chief of staff's wife's
[3:39:33] work with 360 clinic during that
[3:39:36] time. And that has not been
[3:39:39] mentioned. She got a
[3:39:40] contractor. They was their
[3:39:44] staffing, their hr director or
[3:39:47] something like that. As well as
[3:39:49] the consultant. So I think
[3:39:52] those kind of information --
[3:39:53] when she started, how did she
[3:39:55] get the contract and et cetera
[3:39:57] would be helpful because we had
[3:39:59] similar wish another contract
[3:40:00] with the county that she was
[3:40:01] given a contract that she did
[3:40:03] not provide work for. And so I
[3:40:06] think, you know, again, going
[3:40:08] back to with 360, getting
[3:40:10] information, maybe sharing
[3:40:11] information with caloptima and
[3:40:13] then going further and asking,
[3:40:16] you know, more in depth on to
[3:40:17] 360 and getting the feds and the
[3:40:24] ag and d.a. More involved. And
[3:40:25] also I wanted to touch on 2t
[3:40:28] media.
[3:40:30] you know, in your report, you
[3:40:32] spoke to them, and they said --
[3:40:34] you asked if they gave a
[3:40:37] campaign contribution to this
[3:40:38] former supervisor, and they said
[3:40:39] they did not. But the report
[3:40:40] says they did. So --
[3:40:44] >>speaker: the campaign finance
[3:40:46] report.
[3:40:46] >>janet nguyen: yeah. So I
[3:40:47] think that's also something that
[3:40:49] should be alerted to fppc
[3:40:51] because someone is not telling
[3:40:53] the truth or something happened,
[3:40:55] you know, that -- were they a
[3:40:57] phantom donor that -- you know,
[3:41:01] the former supervisor decided to
[3:41:02] put on there? Was it -- I hope
[3:41:04] they gave it in a check because
[3:41:06] you cannot give it in a check,
[3:41:08] and they gave like $8,100, the
[3:41:12] maximum. So I think those are
[3:41:13] the kind of information that
[3:41:15] should also be alerted to fppc
[3:41:18] because they can subpoena these
[3:41:19] documents that we might not be
[3:41:21] able to. But overall, I just
[3:41:22] wanted to close it and, you
[3:41:26] know, look, the first district
[3:41:28] residents has continuously been
[3:41:29] waiting and waiting. So, I
[3:41:31] mean, the seniors who were
[3:41:33] promised services never got it.
[3:41:34] the patients who needed care
[3:41:36] didn't get it. The veterans who
[3:41:37] also was hoping for a war
[3:41:40] memorial ended up a memorial
[3:41:45] that honored andrew do. His
[3:41:47] name was engraved perfectly but
[3:41:49] everybody else names weren't
[3:41:51] done yet or partially done. You
[3:41:53] know, as we move forward, I want
[3:41:55] to make sure, that you know, we
[3:41:57] don't just take these reports
[3:41:58] just to treated and file it. We
[3:42:01] want to take the next step, and
[3:42:03] I appreciate our procurement
[3:42:05] staff and the ceo for
[3:42:07] continuously looking at this and
[3:42:08] making sure that we have the
[3:42:10] process and procedure in place
[3:42:12] as we move forward. But we also
[3:42:14] need to continue to unearth and
[3:42:16] see what else did we miss. And
[3:42:19] so as we move forward, I just
[3:42:21] want to make sure that we get
[3:42:23] this concluded because that's
[3:42:24] what helps our district, my
[3:42:26] district in particular, that
[3:42:28] were, you know, what these were
[3:42:30] stolen from. And so, you know,
[3:42:32] again, appreciate your time
[3:42:35] didn't your patience for doing
[3:42:37] this. And if our office can be
[3:42:39] of any assistance, let us know,
[3:42:41] because I think there's a lot
[3:42:41] more, and I truly believe this
[3:42:44] is just the tip of the iceberg.
[3:42:45] thank you.
[3:42:46] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[3:42:46] you. Back to supervisor foley.
[3:42:48] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: thank
[3:42:48] you so much, just one add
[3:42:51] request, when you begin the
[3:42:53] process of the work on phase 2,
[3:42:56] it would be helpful for us when
[3:42:58] you report, okay, this -- we
[3:43:02] have a concern about this
[3:43:04] particular issue, however, this
[3:43:05] new protocol that was adopted
[3:43:10] will ensure that that doesn't
[3:43:10] happen in the future or we'll
[3:43:13] address that. So if you could
[3:43:17] make those connections between
[3:43:17] the reforms that we have set
[3:43:19] into place and into practice
[3:43:22] versus what was in place then.
[3:43:25] because I think that would be
[3:43:26] really helpful instead of us
[3:43:27] just having to say, oh, I think
[3:43:30] that one's already covered. If
[3:43:31] it could be in the report, that
[3:43:32] would be helpful.
[3:43:33] >>speaker: sure.
[3:43:34] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: thank
[3:43:34] you.
[3:43:35] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[3:43:35] you. I see no more queries on
[3:43:40] my screen. I do thank you for
[3:43:41] your work, and I thank all of
[3:43:43] our offices and we'll be
[3:43:47] available to help in any way
[3:43:48] that you would like. So this
[3:43:50] receive and file item. There's
[3:43:51] no action agendized to be taken.
[3:43:54] thank you for taking and waiting
[3:43:55] and being so patient. Now we
[3:43:58] are going to go right to item
[3:43:59] 11, we see our auditor
[3:44:03] controller patiently out in the
[3:44:05] audience. Madam clerk, item 11,
[3:44:07] please.
[3:44:09] >>clerk, robin stieler11. Under
[3:44:10] auditor-controller - approve
[3:44:11] amendment 1 to contract
[3:44:12] ma-003-23010066 with eide bailly
[3:44:12] llp for independent auditing and
[3:44:14] related services, term ending
[3:44:14] 4/30/26, ($134,200; cumulative
[3:44:15] total $1,982,436); and authorize
[3:44:16] county procurement officer or
[3:44:17] deputized designee to execute
[3:44:18] amendment.
[3:44:22] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[3:44:24] the item.
[3:44:25] >>don wagner: second.
[3:44:27] >>chair, doug chaffee: already,
[3:44:28] item is approved and thank you,
[3:44:29] auditor controller for being so
[3:44:31] patient, and I hope you enjoy
[3:44:33] the discussion that you
[3:44:34] witnessed.
[3:44:40] all right. Now, we have a
[3:44:47] number of other items, and so
[3:44:49] what is the pleasure of the
[3:44:51] board? Do you want to go to
[3:44:53] closed session? If anyone had a
[3:44:54] hot lunch, it's not going to be
[3:44:56] hot at this point. Closed
[3:44:58] session? A large number of
[3:45:00] items yet to do. So we will be
[3:45:02] back.
[3:45:03] >>speaker: mr. Chair, if I can,
[3:45:06] just really quickly before we go
[3:45:07] into closed session, on item
[3:45:09] no. 31c that was supervisor
[3:45:12] wagner's item, and I know we had
[3:45:13] a discussion about whether or
[3:45:14] not, you know, new legislation
[3:45:16] affects this, and I think, you
[3:45:18] know, now looking back on it,
[3:45:21] not having an opinion from the
[3:45:22] attorney general, which would be
[3:45:24] dispositive, not having alleged
[3:45:28] counsel opinion on, this I'm
[3:45:29] simply going to abstain on this
[3:45:32] as well. I see two of the
[3:45:33] foundations which I really care
[3:45:35] about that are in my district as
[3:45:37] well, jasper ray foundation and
[3:45:39] tustin public school foundation,
[3:45:41] which are completely solid, I
[3:45:42] don't want them to be
[3:45:44] misinterpreted by this really
[3:45:45] clumsy written legislation
[3:45:47] that's now complicated.
[3:45:51] >>chair, doug chaffee: we'll
[3:45:51] record your vote as an
[3:45:53] abstention on that item and it
[3:45:55] still carries with the three yes
[3:45:57] votes. Mad a clerk, would you
[3:45:58] read the closed-session items.
[3:46:00] >>clerk, robin stieler: cs-1.
[3:46:02] under county executive office -
[3:46:03] conference with labor negotiator
[3:46:04] pursuant to government code
[3:46:05] section 54957.6 agency
[3:46:06] negotiator: jamie newton, chief
[3:46:08] human resources officer
[3:46:09] employee organizations:
[3:46:12] association of orange county
[3:46:13] deputy sheriffs (aocds), orange
[3:46:15] county employees association
[3:46:18] (ocea), orange county attorneys
[3:46:20] association (ocaa) international
[3:46:21] union of operating engineers
[3:46:22] (iuoe), association of county
[3:46:24] law
[3:46:24] enforcement managers (aclem),
[3:46:25] american federation of state,
[3:46:26] county and municipal employees
[3:46:27] (afscme) orange county managers
[3:46:28] association (ocma), teamsters,
[3:46:31] and workers represented by
[3:46:34] united
[3:46:35] domestic workers of america
[3:46:36] (udwa) and other nonrepresented
[3:46:37] employees re: terms and
[3:46:39] conditions of employment. Scs2
[3:46:41] under county executive office -
[3:46:42] public employee appointment -
[3:46:43] pursuant to government code
[3:46:44] section 54957(b):
[3:46:46] title: director of office of
[3:46:48] independent review.
[3:46:51] scs3. County counsel -
[3:46:52] conference
[3:46:53] with legal counsel - existing
[3:46:54] litigation - pursuant to
[3:46:55] government code section
[3:46:57] 54956.9(d)(1):
[3:46:59] name of case: orange county
[3:47:00] flood
[3:47:02] control district v. Fico ch llc,
[3:47:03] et al., san bernardino superior
[3:47:04] court case no. Civsb2133824.
[3:47:05] scs4. County counsel -
[3:47:08] conference
[3:47:10] with legal counsel - existing
[3:47:11] litigation - pursuant to
[3:47:12] government code section
[3:47:13] 54956.9(d)(1):
[3:47:15] name of case: juan david
[3:47:17] veramancini, rodrigo torres
[3:47:18] marini v. County of orange,
[3:47:20] united states district court
[3:47:21] case
[3:47:21] no. 8:22-cv-01501-fws-jde
[3:47:22] scs5. County counsel -
[3:47:24] conference
[3:47:25] with legal counsel - anticipated
[3:47:26] litigation - significant
[3:47:26] exposure
[3:47:27] to litigation - pursuant to
[3:47:28] government code section
[3:47:29] 54956.9(d)(2):
[3:47:31] number of cases: multiple. Scs6
[3:47:35] county counsel - conference with
[3:47:38] legal counsel - existing
[3:47:39] litigation - pursuant to
[3:47:41] government code section
[3:47:42] 54956.9(d)(1): name of cases:
[3:47:43] clarisse magtoto v. County of
[3:47:44] orange, orange county superior
[3:47:45] court case no.
[3:47:47] 302022-01241335-cu-oe-cjc, amy
[3:47:47] tallakson v. County of orange,
[3:47:48] orange county superior court
[3:47:48] case
[3:47:49] no. 30-2022-01241346-cu-oe-cjc
[3:47:49] we have no requests to speak on
[3:47:51] the closed-session items.
[3:47:52] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[3:47:53] you, madam clerk, with that, we
[3:47:55] are adjourned to closed session.
[3:48:03] (closed session.)
[3:48:34] >>counsel, leon page: all
[3:48:37] right. So, pursuant
[3:48:39] to government code section
[3:48:40] 54957.6, 54957 subdivision b and
[3:48:41] 54956.9, the board met
[3:48:42] in closed session to discuss
[3:48:43] items on today's agenda:
[3:48:44] scs1 scs2 scs3 scs4 scs5
[3:48:47] and scs6.
[3:48:48] so, with respect to cs1, the
[3:48:49] board took no reportable
[3:48:50] action. With respect to
[3:48:51] scs2, the board took
[3:48:53] no reportable action.
[3:48:54] with respect to scs3, the board
[3:48:55] unanimously approved a proposed
[3:48:58] settlement in an amount
[3:48:59] not to exceed $10,535,000 to
[3:49:01] acquire flowage easement rights
[3:49:02] over various properties in san
[3:49:05] bernardino county identified as
[3:49:06] assessor parcel numbers
[3:49:07] 1027-121-38-39-40 and
[3:49:12] 41 in the matter of orange
[3:49:15] county flood control district
[3:49:16] versus fico chllc, at all. As
[3:49:17] part of today's approvals the
[3:49:18] board authorized and direct
[3:49:19] accounting council and outside
[3:49:20] counsel to file and execute all
[3:49:23] necessary documents. To
[3:49:24] accomplish this settlement.
[3:49:26] upon completion and execution of
[3:49:29] the settlement documents, the
[3:49:30] board authorized and direct the
[3:49:32] auditor controller to encumber
[3:49:34] payment to fico up to an amount
[3:49:36] of $3,779,000 in new money.
[3:49:37] payment of $2,415,548 is
[3:49:40] directed to be made by the
[3:49:42] auditor controller upon request
[3:49:43] within 30 days of entry
[3:49:44] of entry of judgment.
[3:49:45] upon grading, fico will request
[3:49:47] payment of the final $300,000
[3:49:48] that shall be released by the
[3:49:50] auditor controller at the
[3:49:51] request county counsel.
[3:49:53] if fico does not grade the
[3:49:55] remaining settlement of
[3:49:56] $1,363,452 shall be paid by
[3:49:58] march 1st 2030 and shall be
[3:50:00] released by the audit controller
[3:50:01] at the request of county
[3:50:02] counsel.
[3:50:04] when the settlement agreement is
[3:50:06] finalized, copies of the
[3:50:07] agreement will be made available
[3:50:07] through the office of county
[3:50:08] counsel. Any person who
[3:50:09] inquires.
[3:50:10] with respect to scs4, the board
[3:50:12] took no reportable action.
[3:50:13] with respect to scs5, the board
[3:50:14] unanimously approved a 2.5
[3:50:15] million dollar settlement of the
[3:50:17] claim submitted by the collins
[3:50:18] household and that's claimants
[3:50:19] robert and rebecca collins for
[3:50:20] economic and non-economic
[3:50:21] damages incurred as
[3:50:24] a result of the september
[3:50:26] 2024 airport fire. When the
[3:50:27] settlement agreement is
[3:50:28] finalized copies of the
[3:50:29] agreement will made available
[3:50:29] for the office of ceo risk
[3:50:30] management to any person who
[3:50:31] inquires.
[3:50:32] the board unanimously rejected
[3:50:34] the claims of forrest clark and
[3:50:35] glenn pearson.
[3:50:37] with respect to scs-6, on a vote
[3:50:39] of three to two, with chairman
[3:50:40] chafee, vice chair foley and
[3:50:41] supervisor sarmiento voting yes,
[3:50:41] and supervisor wagner and
[3:50:43] supervisor nguyen voting no.
[3:50:43] the board approved
[3:50:46] a $995,000 settlement
[3:50:48] with plaintiff clarice magtodo
[3:50:51] and a $988,000 settlement with
[3:50:52] plaintiff amy tallakson.
[3:50:55] both miss magtoto and miss
[3:50:57] tallakson alleged sexual
[3:50:59] harassment on the part of former
[3:51:02] senior assistant district
[3:51:03] attorney gary legalbo. The
[3:51:04] settlements approved today
[3:51:08] remains subject to the final
[3:51:08] approval others and
[3:51:09] when the settlements are
[3:51:09] finalized, copies of the
[3:51:10] agreements will be made
[3:51:11] available at the office of
[3:51:11] county counsel to any person who
[3:51:12] inquires.
[3:51:12] the board took no other
[3:51:13] reportable action in closed
[3:51:14] session today.
[3:51:14] then finally, with respect to
[3:51:17] the matter of jennifer kearns
[3:51:18] versus county of orange, which
[3:51:19] was considered by the board in
[3:51:20] close session on march 10th
[3:51:21] agenda item scs5, the plaintiff
[3:51:23] has accepted the board's $2.75
[3:51:24] million dollar offer to settle
[3:51:25] and also agreed to resign upon
[3:51:26] receipt of payment. The board
[3:51:29] had on march 10, 2026 approved
[3:51:32] the proposed settlement on a
[3:51:34] voter 3-2 with supervisor foley,
[3:51:35] supervisor sarmiento and wagner
[3:51:35] voting yes, and chairman chaffey
[3:51:36] and supervisor nguyen voting no.
[3:51:38] and that concludes my report.
[3:51:38] thank you, mr chairman.
[3:51:47] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[3:51:48] you. We were waiting for
[3:51:50] supervisor sarmiento, I told him
[3:51:54] 3:15. So, three more minutes.
[3:51:59] unless he arrives sooner.
[3:55:13] it's now 3:15, so calling the
[3:55:15] meeting back to order.
[3:55:15] on item 14 madam clerk
[3:55:16] will you please read item 14
[3:55:17] approve amendment 4 to extend
[3:55:19] contract ma-042-22010072 with hs
[3:55:20] govtech usa inc. For
[3:55:24] environmental health data
[3:55:25] management system, 7/1/26 -
[3:55:26] 6/30/28 ($609,393; cumulative
[3:55:26] total $1,898,506); renewable for
[3:55:27] one additional year; and
[3:55:28] authorize county procurement
[3:55:28] officer to execute amendment -
[3:55:29] all districts
[3:55:30] and we have no requests
[3:55:31] to speak on agenda item 14.
[3:55:32] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[3:55:33] it's an all district.
[3:55:34] moved and seconded. Any
[3:55:35] objection? No objection. Item
[3:55:36] carries. Passed.
[3:55:42] this would be 15 is next
[3:55:44] >>clerk of the board, robin
[3:55:46] stieler: approve
[3:55:47] continuation of local
[3:55:47] health emergency by county's
[3:55:49] health officer issued on 9/20/24
[3:55:52] for trabuco canyon airport fire
[3:55:55] and affected areas to facilitate
[3:55:57] debris and ash removal as well
[3:55:59] as mitigation efforts to protect
[3:56:00] water wells; and set review to
[3:56:00] determine need for continuing
[3:56:02] local health emergency for
[3:56:04] 4/14/26, 9:30 a.m. And every 30
[3:56:06] days thereafter until terminated
[3:56:10] we have no request to speak on
[3:56:11] agenda item 15.
[3:56:12] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[3:56:14] the item.
[3:56:14] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[3:56:16] all district item.
[3:56:17] any objection? Approved.
[3:56:19] 16 please.
[3:56:21] >>clerk of the board, robin
[3:56:22] stieler:
[3:56:23] acting as board of supervisors -
[3:56:24] authorize director or designee
[3:56:25] to utilize available funding
[3:56:27] ($3,990,800) for loan financing
[3:56:28] to partnership by jamboree
[3:56:29] housing corporation for
[3:56:31] development of costa mesa
[3:56:34] senior, 695 west 19th street,
[3:56:37] costa mesa; approve loan
[3:56:39] commitments and subordination at
[3:56:40] construction and permanent
[3:56:41] financing; authorize director or
[3:56:42] designee to subordinate
[3:56:43] additional senior debt and
[3:56:45] execute subordination agreements
[3:56:46] and related documents under
[3:56:47] certain conditions; authorize
[3:56:49] health care agency director or
[3:56:51] designee to execute services
[3:56:52] agreements and related documents
[3:56:54] under certain conditions for
[3:56:55] mental services act funding;
[3:56:59] acting as orange county housing
[3:57:01] authority - approve selection of
[3:57:02] costa mesa senior for
[3:57:04] utilization of up to 34 housing
[3:57:06] choice project-based vouchers;
[3:57:08] and authorize executive director
[3:57:09] of orange county housing
[3:57:11] authority or designee to execute
[3:57:12] related documents under certain
[3:57:13] conditions
[3:57:14] we have received one request to
[3:57:15] speak on agenda item 16. Please
[3:57:17] >>chair, doug chaffee: please
[3:57:18] call the speaker.
[3:57:19] >>clerk of the board, robin
[3:57:20] stieler: paul hyack.
[3:57:22] >>chair, doug chaffee: I do not
[3:57:23] see him here.
[3:57:24] >>clerk of the board, robin
[3:57:25] stieler: he's not present.
[3:57:27] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[3:57:28] we'll bring this back then to
[3:57:30] the board for consideration, the
[3:57:31] district five item.
[3:57:32] >>clerk of the board, robin
[3:57:33] stieler:
[3:57:33] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[3:57:34] thank you, mr. Chairman I move
[3:57:35] this item. And will comment.
[3:57:38] this this is a major milestone
[3:57:40] for this development project
[3:57:44] started when I was mayor
[3:57:46] in costa mesa and it's taken
[3:57:49] seven, almost eight years, to
[3:57:51] get here. What's great is it's
[3:57:54] 70 units senior housing and 34
[3:57:56] of the units will be 30 ami.
[3:57:57] that's those project-based
[3:57:58] vouchers.
[3:58:01] and for those who don't know in
[3:58:04] the public, 30 ami means that a
[3:58:05] person can't make more than
[3:58:06] $35,550 dollars and then 34 will
[3:58:09] be at the 60,000 annually.
[3:58:14] this will have a dog wash, bike
[3:58:16] lockers, connection to the costa
[3:58:18] mesa senior center.
[3:58:20] it's being built right in the
[3:58:22] parking lot there and so I come
[3:58:23] in the county staff city costa
[3:58:24] mesa jamboree housing and the
[3:58:28] housing finance trust for the
[3:58:30] commitment to the project so
[3:58:31] that we can get some senior
[3:58:32] housing online. Thank you.
[3:58:34] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[3:58:35] you. Any objection? The item
[3:58:39] is approved. On to item 17.
[3:58:42] >>clerk of the board, robin
[3:58:43] stieler: acting as the board of
[3:58:43] supervisors and orange county
[3:58:44] flood control district - approve
[3:58:45] contract ma-080-26010792 with
[3:58:47] pacific advanced civil
[3:58:48] engineering, inc. For consultant
[3:58:50] services to update orange county
[3:58:52] hydrology manual, three-year
[3:58:53] term ($1,672,150); and authorize
[3:58:54] county procurement officer or
[3:58:55] deputized designee to execute
[3:58:56] contract.
[3:58:58] and we have one request to speak
[3:58:59] on agenda item 17.
[3:59:01] >>chair, doug chaffee: please
[3:59:02] call the speaker.
[3:59:02] >>clerk of the board, robin
[3:59:03] stieler: brian k.
[3:59:11] >>speaker: happy day. So we're
[3:59:13] discussing the riverbeds the
[3:59:15] flood control maintaining these
[3:59:16] properties maintaining the
[3:59:18] waterways 10 years ago that I
[3:59:21] worked with shirley grindle and
[3:59:22] we got the county to stop
[3:59:24] doing what's called broadcast
[3:59:26] spraying of the river beds.
[3:59:28] they went from broadcast to
[3:59:30] target spraying.
[3:59:32] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[3:59:33] I'm sorry. Mr. Chairman, this
[3:59:34] is for the hydrology manual.
[3:59:35] nothing to do with spraying
[3:59:38] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[3:59:40] well, the river is hydrology.
[3:59:42] so, I'm not sure yet
[3:59:43] with the -- if you're connected
[3:59:45] or not.
[3:59:46] >>speaker: or not the idea is
[3:59:48] that in order to have the
[3:59:48] hydrology systems in place,
[3:59:49] you have to have people
[3:59:50] working in the riverbed.
[3:59:52] and these people are then
[3:59:53] exposed to the roundup.
[3:59:55] as we got the county under
[3:59:56] ms. Blackwood to stop using
[3:59:57] roundup. I think it was just
[4:00:02] in the last few months san
[4:00:03] clemente, san juan capistrano,
[4:00:06] and dana point, the riverbed
[4:00:08] sections were all sprayed with
[4:00:09] large amounts, I think three to
[4:00:10] five hundred gallons of roundup.
[4:00:13] now this implicates and causes
[4:00:15] safety issues for the employees
[4:00:18] of the county. Not to mention,
[4:00:19] the county already knows
[4:00:21] that roundup is unsafe. If you
[4:00:24] had a olympic-sized swimming
[4:00:26] pool, let's just say this room
[4:00:29] filled with water and you added
[4:00:30] about four to eight ounces of
[4:00:35] roundup to that water any woman
[4:00:38] or child who is contacted with
[4:00:39] that is now 10 to 20 times more
[4:00:42] likely to get brain cancer
[4:00:44] or breast cancer.
[4:00:48] so, I'm surprised that
[4:00:50] this board of supervisors would
[4:00:53] allow hundreds of gallons
[4:00:54] of roundup to be sprayed into
[4:00:57] the riverbed, that would then
[4:01:00] wash to the ocean and
[4:01:01] contaminate our beaches
[4:01:01] and cause children and women to
[4:01:03] experience breast cancer and
[4:01:04] brain cancer?
[4:01:06] what did you receive? What was
[4:01:13] the influence that inspired this
[4:01:15] county to use roundup, putting
[4:01:22] people's lives at risk?
[4:01:27] why would you put their families
[4:01:29] at risk? An issue we've already
[4:01:30] decided, roundup is known to be
[4:01:32] unsafe.
[4:01:32] they're paying millions
[4:01:36] of dollars in lawsuits. And
[4:01:38] what we have now are women and
[4:01:40] children who have breast cancer
[4:01:41] and are dying. We have
[4:01:42] children who have breast cancer
[4:01:45] or dying because we've sprayed
[4:01:46] roundup in our riverbed.
[4:01:52] these children are children of
[4:01:55] the workers who handle the
[4:02:00] hydrology systems.
[4:02:04] so what if you receive that's
[4:02:05] more important and more
[4:02:06] valuable.
[4:02:07] and thank you for looking
[4:02:08] at me. I'm surprised. I did
[4:02:08] not expect to see
[4:02:09] you look at me today, janet.
[4:02:10] all right. We'll, take into
[4:02:11] consideration. And hopefully
[4:02:12] you'll do better next time.
[4:02:13] happy day.
[4:02:13] >>chair, don chaffee: thank
[4:02:15] you, sir.
[4:02:16] all right. This is both a
[4:02:17] county and flood control item.
[4:02:18] it is an all district item.
[4:02:19] >>speaker: I'll move the item.
[4:02:23] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[4:02:24] objection? Item is approved.
[4:02:25] let's go on to 18 please.
[4:02:27] >>clerk, robin stieler:
[4:02:28] probation - approve amendment 3
[4:02:29] to renew contract
[4:02:29] ma-057-22011069 with waymakers
[4:02:30] for active recidivism reduction
[4:02:30] initiative via engagement
[4:02:31] services, 5/1/26 - 4/30/27
[4:02:32] ($329,882; cumulative total
[4:02:33] $1,649,410); and authorize
[4:02:33] county procurement officer or
[4:02:34] deputized designee to execute
[4:02:35] amendment.
[4:02:36] we have no request to speak on
[4:02:38] agenda item 18.
[4:02:41] >>chair, doug chaffee: item 18
[4:02:43] is an all-district item.
[4:02:46] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[4:02:47] the item.
[4:02:48] >>janet nguyen: second.
[4:02:50] >>chair, doug chaffee: no
[4:02:51] objection item is approved.
[4:02:52] item 19, please.
[4:02:52] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:02:53] stieler: under social services
[4:03:01] agency - approve increase of
[4:03:02] expenditures for services under
[4:03:02] individual contracts for family
[4:03:03] resource center services, family
[4:03:04] stabilization services and
[4:03:04] differential response-path one
[4:03:05] services, 7/1/25 - 6/30/28
[4:03:06] (aggregate total $1,983,334;
[4:03:06] cumulative aggregate total
[4:03:07] $19,983,334); and authorize
[4:03:08] county procurement officer or
[4:03:08] deputized designee to execute
[4:03:09] individual amendments with
[4:03:10] fifteen family resource centers
[4:03:10] no request to speak on agenda
[4:03:11] item 19.
[4:03:11] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:03:12] item 19 is an all district item
[4:03:14] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:03:15] move the item.
[4:03:16] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:03:17] moved and second.
[4:03:17] any comments?
[4:03:18] seeing none. No objection.
[4:03:19] item is approved.
[4:03:25] let's go on to item 20.
[4:03:27] >>clerk, robin stielr: under
[4:03:29] social services agency - approve
[4:03:30] amendment one to contracts with
[4:03:31] new alternatives inc olive crest
[4:03:33] and south coast children's
[4:03:37] society inc doing business as
[4:03:38] south coast community services
[4:03:39] for wraparound orange county
[4:03:40] direct services. Approve
[4:03:40] amendment 1 to contract with
[4:03:41] family support network for
[4:03:42] wraparound orange county direct
[4:03:43] services and authorized county
[4:03:43] procurement officer of deputized
[4:03:46] designee to accept claims made
[4:03:47] sexual misconduct liability
[4:03:50] insurance under certain
[4:03:52] conditions and execute
[4:03:53] amendments.
[4:03:56] we have no request to speak on
[4:03:56] agenda item 20.
[4:03:58] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:03:59] second.
[4:03:59] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:04:01] all-district item.
[4:04:02] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:04:03] sorry.
[4:04:04] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:04:10] and there's no objection
[4:04:11] the item is approved.
[4:04:12] on to 21 please.
[4:04:13] >>clerk, robin stieler: under
[4:04:14] social services - agency approve
[4:04:15] amendment 5 to contract with
[4:04:15] orangewood foundation for
[4:04:16] independent living program
[4:04:17] services and authorized county
[4:04:18] procurement officer or deputized
[4:04:18] designee to execute amendment.
[4:04:22] we have no request to speak on
[4:04:23] agenda item 21.
[4:04:25] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:04:27] all-district item.
[4:04:28] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[4:04:29] the item.
[4:04:29] >>chair, doug chaffee: moved
[4:04:30] and seconded. Any objection?
[4:04:31] seeing none. Item is approved.
[4:04:32] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:04:34] stieler: under social service
[4:04:35] agency - approve amendment one
[4:04:35] to memorandum of understanding
[4:04:36] with orange county
[4:04:38] superintendent of schools for
[4:04:38] educational support for foster
[4:04:39] youth and authorize county
[4:04:40] procurement officer or
[4:04:42] deputized designee to execute an
[4:04:44] amendment.
[4:04:46] we have no requests speak on
[4:04:48] agenda item 22.
[4:04:49] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:04:50] all-district item.
[4:04:50] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:04:51] second.
[4:04:52] >>chair, doug chaffee: we have
[4:04:53] seconded. Any objection?
[4:04:54] seeing none. Item is approved.
[4:04:56] let's go on to item 23 please.
[4:04:56] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:04:57] stieler:
[4:05:00] under executive officer -
[4:05:00] approve recommended positions
[4:05:01] on introduced or amended
[4:05:03] legislation and or consider
[4:05:04] other legislative subject
[4:05:05] matters.
[4:05:07] we have no requests to speak on
[4:05:07] agenda item 23.
[4:05:08] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:05:09] all-district item.
[4:05:10] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:05:10] stieler:
[4:05:12] thank you. Mr. Chairman?
[4:05:13] >>chair, doug chaffee: please
[4:05:13] go ahead.
[4:05:14] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:05:15] thank you. I just want
[4:05:17] to highlight a couple items.
[4:05:18] assembly bill 1830 by
[4:05:19] assemblywoman petrie norris
[4:05:20] is an ignition interlock
[4:05:23] devices item to address d and
[4:05:28] bill 76 by lowenthal
[4:05:30] is the parents accountability
[4:05:31] and child protection
[4:05:33] act for restrictions on online
[4:05:35] marketplaces as it relates
[4:05:38] to nitrous oxide and then
[4:05:39] senate bill 1314 minjavar
[4:05:43] another nitrous oxide bill
[4:05:47] regulating smoke shops locations
[4:05:49] hours of operation and
[4:05:52] the sale of nitrous
[4:05:52] oxide. So, really pleased
[4:05:54] to see that this issue is
[4:05:58] finally getting some traction in
[4:05:59] the states because it's
[4:06:00] an important issue.
[4:06:01] thank you. Move the item
[4:06:01] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:06:04] and has been seconded. Any
[4:06:06] any objection? Item is
[4:06:08] approved. Item 24, please.
[4:06:09] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:06:12] stieler: under county executive
[4:06:14] officer - contract with path for
[4:06:15] yale navigation center
[4:06:17] operations and services
[4:06:18] and authorized county
[4:06:19] procurement officer
[4:06:20] deputized designee to exercise
[4:06:21] cost contingency increase not to
[4:06:22] exceed 10 percent under certain
[4:06:23] conditions and execute
[4:06:26] contract we have no request to
[4:06:28] speak on agenda item 24
[4:06:31] >>chair, doug chaffee: 24 is a
[4:06:34] district two item.
[4:06:37] >>vincente sarmiento: I'll move
[4:06:38] the item with comment.
[4:06:40] >>chair, doug chaffee: moved
[4:06:41] and seconded. Supervisor
[4:06:42] nguyen?
[4:06:44] >>vincente sarmiento: thank you
[4:06:45] mr. Chair. I just wanted to
[4:06:46] thank staff for updating the
[4:06:50] performance metrics here. I
[4:06:52] know now path will be operating
[4:06:54] and managing both bridges in
[4:06:54] anaheim and yale in santa ana.
[4:06:57] so this is for the yale contract
[4:06:59] which is, you know, they've been
[4:07:00] they've been operating there. I
[4:07:02] mentioned at the prior board
[4:07:03] meeting the importance of
[4:07:04] tracking how many shelter
[4:07:05] residents are being connected to
[4:07:08] medi-cal given that many are
[4:07:08] likely county medi-cal,
[4:07:10] given that many are likely
[4:07:12] county medi-cal members.
[4:07:15] including this metric is
[4:07:19] an important step to ensure we
[4:07:22] are measuring health care
[4:07:23] coverage access, alongside
[4:07:24] housing outcomes which is
[4:07:25] critical for residents overall
[4:07:26] stability and well-being I look
[4:07:27] forward to seeing how this data
[4:07:28] informs program implementation
[4:07:29] helps guide strategies for
[4:07:30] connecting residents to
[4:07:31] essential health and housing
[4:07:32] services. So this isn't
[4:07:33] just congregate shelter. We're
[4:07:37] looking at you know housing
[4:07:40] options for them, but healthcare
[4:07:43] solutions as well. So I'm
[4:07:45] excited about this. I'm hoping
[4:07:49] that they that path can use
[4:07:50] economies of scale now that
[4:07:51] they're going to be working at
[4:07:53] both county shelters. I know
[4:07:55] that we have a new commissioner
[4:07:57] to the commission to address
[4:07:58] homelessness council, member
[4:07:59] benjamin vasquez, who is
[4:08:01] from santa ana. He's very
[4:08:01] interested in making sure that
[4:08:03] yale continues to be successful
[4:08:04] I know the city has their own
[4:08:05] shelter. So maybe there's some
[4:08:08] learned or shared thoughts that
[4:08:11] both shelters can work with
[4:08:12] and learn from each other
[4:08:14] so with that, mr. Chair, I move.
[4:08:14] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:08:17] supervisor nguyen?
[4:08:21] >>janet nguyen: thank you,.
[4:08:25] mr. Chairman. If I may? Some
[4:08:27] of my questions relate
[4:08:28] to 26 as well, mr. Chairman.
[4:08:30] but just -- I mean, I understand
[4:08:32] that path has owner to owner
[4:08:33] operator for yale since 2021 and
[4:08:40] then we're looking at a contract
[4:08:42] of 30 million dollars with 425
[4:08:43] -- 420 -- it's getting late --
[4:08:48] 125 emergency shelter beds which
[4:08:51] equates to 10 million a year
[4:08:52] that's 23,500 per bed. And if
[4:08:55] we're going to approve them
[4:08:59] to take over bridges, which
[4:09:01] is in a 60 million dollar
[4:09:02] contract with 200 beds, which is
[4:09:05] about 26,000 per bed. And I
[4:09:08] guess my question for staff is
[4:09:11] has path been effective
[4:09:13] in operating the yale navigation
[4:09:18] center since 2021?
[4:09:23] I have a few other ones too.
[4:09:26] okay. I'm trying to understand,
[4:09:31] like, what is our end goal with
[4:09:32] these shelters? Is our end goal
[4:09:34] getting them off the
[4:09:35] street? Getting them help,
[4:09:38] temporary housing? Getting them
[4:09:40] jobs? What is our end goal?
[4:09:42] because then we can walk
[4:09:43] backwards on how whether we
[4:09:44] are successful or not.
[4:09:49] >>doug beck: yeah, absolutely.
[4:09:52] mr. Chairman and honorable
[4:09:53] board. Doug beck,
[4:09:54] director of the office
[4:09:55] of care coordination.
[4:09:57] to the question about has
[4:09:58] path been successful at yale.
[4:10:02] in the most objective
[4:10:07] way we look at that through the
[4:10:10] outcomes or metrics that we
[4:10:15] outline in the asr and in
[4:10:18] the last, specifically, 24/25
[4:10:19] and you're initial data for
[4:10:23] 2025, 2026.
[4:10:26] they're hitting all of our
[4:10:28] outcome performance metrics.
[4:10:33] the one that they're
[4:10:34] challenged with is the
[4:10:35] percentage of individuals.
[4:10:37] going into permanent housing
[4:10:38] when they exit. That one is
[4:10:41] difficult because it is largely
[4:10:44] dictated by the market and the
[4:10:49] operator. Doesn't have as great
[4:10:52] of an impact on the market as
[4:10:54] we'd like them to. So we put
[4:10:58] that goal in there understanding
[4:11:01] that the market is -- that
[4:11:03] housing is highly dictated by
[4:11:04] the market, but continue to
[4:11:05] emphasize the importance that
[4:11:06] people need to be moving from
[4:11:08] the navigation center into
[4:11:09] permanent housing. We have an
[4:11:13] additional that's in the asr and
[4:11:15] that we measure, which gives us
[4:11:16] an understanding of if the
[4:11:18] operator is doing everything in
[4:11:20] their power to get the
[4:11:21] individual ready. And that's
[4:11:24] the metric related to if someone
[4:11:26] is on the coordinated entry
[4:11:28] system list. And path has hit
[4:11:35] that year over year. And I
[4:11:37] believe the expectation is,
[4:11:42] yeah, 85 percent and they've hit
[4:11:46] that. Operating as shelters is
[4:11:50] extremely challenging because
[4:11:52] the purpose of a shelter
[4:11:53] is to get folks into
[4:11:55] permanent housing
[4:11:56] and to be a vehicle out. And
[4:11:57] our metrics here measure
[4:11:58] that but then they've also
[4:12:00] been incredibly they've
[4:12:01] been very successful and
[4:12:03] have continued to improve
[4:12:04] on the way that they just
[4:12:05] maintain the building day
[4:12:07] in and day out providing a
[4:12:10] respectable space for people to
[4:12:16] live with integrity and then
[4:12:18] they've, you know look at them
[4:12:22] day to day on their good
[4:12:24] neighbor how they are in
[4:12:28] regards to ensuring that
[4:12:29] shelter is having a
[4:12:31] minimal impact on the
[4:12:33] neighbors and or a
[4:12:35] minimal negative impact on the
[4:12:36] neighbors and over
[4:12:38] the last year and a half two
[4:12:39] years we've heard
[4:12:41] very little in the terms of from
[4:12:45] complaints from our neighbors
[4:12:48] in and around the yale
[4:12:49] facility in regards to concerns
[4:12:50] about the you know
[4:12:52] impact to local neighborhood
[4:12:54] >>janet nguyen:
[4:12:56] and and and
[4:12:57] I appreciate that.
[4:12:58] I guess for me is looking at the
[4:13:00] matrix right is are we
[4:13:02] accomplishing what we need?
[4:13:05] are we more than in the past?
[4:13:07] are we moving people into jobs?
[4:13:09] are we moving people into
[4:13:10] permanent housing? What is the
[4:13:15] average the length of stay for
[4:13:18] the emergency shelter and how is
[4:13:21] that compared to the intent of
[4:13:23] design of the program.
[4:13:31] >>doug beck: so, I don't have
[4:13:31] the data in front of me,
[4:13:33] although I do have the data, and
[4:13:34] that's why I'll reference it
[4:13:36] here. The length of stay is
[4:13:39] longer than what was originally
[4:13:41] designed for.
[4:13:43] >>janet nguyen: what are we
[4:13:44] looking at?
[4:13:46] >>doug beck: length of stay is
[4:13:49] usually somewhere around,
[4:13:51] I believe, a year and a half to
[4:13:51] two years.
[4:13:53] >>janet nguyen: what were we --
[4:13:54] >>speaker: in an emergency
[4:13:56] shelter, I know the original
[4:13:58] design is no more than 6 to 9
[4:14:01] months. The difficult part is I
[4:14:03] have worked in many
[4:14:06] jurisdictions and that's the
[4:14:07] industry standard. But very few
[4:14:10] communities, or at least
[4:14:10] communities I have worked in,
[4:14:12] are able to hit that and that's
[4:14:14] due to lack of housing to move
[4:14:17] people on. The one thing that's
[4:14:19] very clear two things are clear
[4:14:25] people would still on the
[4:14:29] secrete where we found them.
[4:14:31] and second thing -- and I would
[4:14:33] have to come back to you on the
[4:14:34] exact specifics -- a very high
[4:14:38] majority of individuals that
[4:14:42] leave shelter, straight into
[4:14:44] permanent housing stay there and
[4:14:45] we do not receive them back our
[4:14:51] people stay at a rate
[4:14:54] successfully in their housing
[4:14:55] for at least one year,
[4:14:57] post-placement somewhere
[4:15:02] around 91 and 92 percent
[4:15:03] a year and then two years it's
[4:15:05] about people last in their
[4:15:08] shelter housing system-wide
[4:15:09] not just at our shelter
[4:15:09] 82 and 84 percent of the
[4:15:10] people that go into permanent
[4:15:11] housing in our system
[4:15:13] last at least two years
[4:15:16] and then in all fairness
[4:15:19] we don't have the
[4:15:21] metrics past that.
[4:15:22] >>janet nguyen:
[4:15:24] we should track them to see that
[4:15:28] we don't want to see it
[4:15:29] revolving door; right? We don't
[4:15:31] want to see them get into our
[4:15:33] system for a year year and
[4:15:35] a half get out versus getting
[4:15:36] permanent housing, get a job and
[4:15:38] then a year later come back, or
[4:15:40] two years later come back.
[4:15:41] because then something failed
[4:15:46] somewhere in the system.
[4:15:52] failed them and so I think
[4:15:54] we need to find the housing
[4:15:57] first approach is not working,
[4:15:58] has not worked. And so,
[4:15:59] we need more -- do
[4:16:00] -- should we duplicate
[4:16:01] these shelters all over
[4:16:03] the county instead? I'm --
[4:16:09] because, look till this day, I
[4:16:10] still hear it, right? And
[4:16:11] you've heard me.
[4:16:12] I'm preaching to the choir.
[4:16:13] whatever we're doing right now
[4:16:13] is not working in the
[4:16:14] eyes of the residents in our
[4:16:15] county. Because every day it
[4:16:16] doesn't look like it has
[4:16:18] decreased; it looked like it has
[4:16:18] increase. And obvious it
[4:16:21] varies, depends on the cities.
[4:16:26] some of my cities have done
[4:16:26] really well in reducing their
[4:16:29] numbers of homeless individuals,
[4:16:31] others count -- other cities
[4:16:31] have increased. And they're
[4:16:37] next to each other and they're
[4:16:39] actually far from each
[4:16:39] other too. So it's not like one
[4:16:40] moved into the other city next
[4:16:41] door and then that number goes
[4:16:44] up over there. And so I think
[4:16:45] that's where it's it's
[4:16:47] frustrating is that we're
[4:16:48] looking at spending 40 something
[4:16:50] million dollars here. And yet,
[4:16:51] you know, I don't know how we
[4:16:54] can account and say, hey for
[4:16:56] five years those individuals
[4:16:58] have permanent housing. I mean,
[4:16:59] obviously after five years, or
[4:17:01] three years, they should be
[4:17:02] committed. Should work out.
[4:17:07] >>doug beck: I do think the
[4:17:09] numbers are favorable. We can
[4:17:12] look at data to see how many
[4:17:14] people we have placed into
[4:17:16] permanent housing from bridges
[4:17:17] and yale. That have returned
[4:17:20] back to bridges and yale. And I
[4:17:22] think, you know, from my
[4:17:24] understanding, tha number is
[4:17:25] very low. But we can look into
[4:17:27] that and share that with the
[4:17:28] board if that's of interest.
[4:17:29] >>janet nguyen: yeah that would
[4:17:30] be helpful. And I think if this
[4:17:31] is other navigation centers
[4:17:35] around that the county is
[4:17:37] helping to fund, I think that
[4:17:38] would be helpful for us to see
[4:17:40] those numbers, as well.
[4:17:42] because if one is extremely
[4:17:44] successful, and if one isn't
[4:17:46] then we need to help more.
[4:17:48] thank you.
[4:17:51] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:17:52] supervisor sarmiento?
[4:17:54] >>vincente sarmiento: yes,
[4:17:55] thank you mr. Chairman. I just
[4:17:56] want to, you I think the
[4:17:57] question that the questions
[4:17:59] supervisors are asking are
[4:18:01] really important because they're
[4:18:02] fundamental and pro found at the
[4:18:03] same time like is this working.
[4:18:05] and I think we always want to --
[4:18:09] and I think it's beyond, sort
[4:18:11] of, the scope almost of you
[4:18:13] know, the item before you us
[4:18:15] because we're finding somebody
[4:18:17] to operate the shelter we were
[4:18:20] talking about at the commission
[4:18:22] to address homelessness was we
[4:18:24] have plenty of people who are at
[4:18:25] the shelter ready to leave so
[4:18:27] they're hitting the ces **3
[4:18:29] numbers and we just don't have
[4:18:31] the inventory to place them in
[4:18:34] in order to graduate into
[4:18:37] permanent supportive housing as
[4:18:41] an option, looking at how do we
[4:18:44] fund projects do hotel
[4:18:48] conversions invest in adus and
[4:18:50] these didn't things. I want to
[4:18:52] go back, what the supervisor
[4:18:56] said whatever we're doing isn't
[4:18:59] optimal. I don't think it's a
[4:19:02] function of us not doing
[4:19:04] anything wrong but we have to
[4:19:07] look at other options congregate
[4:19:10] shelters optimum 6 to 9 months
[4:19:13] and permanent supportive housing
[4:19:14] which costs 7 to 800,000 a unit
[4:19:21] labors and materials, and they
[4:19:22] cost 18 to 2 stand up a single
[4:19:25] unit those are at polar opposite
[4:19:28] of the spectrum of housing. So
[4:19:30] this missing gaping middle which
[4:19:32] is a transitional housing, which
[4:19:34] small scale housing could help
[4:19:36] solve, because they cost 60 to
[4:19:41] $100,000 a unit. They're small
[4:19:43] in size so they can be stood up
[4:19:47] in probably nor no more than six
[4:19:50] months and they're easy to put
[4:19:51] together and they're not
[4:19:53] long-term housing, they're
[4:19:54] temporary housing but that is
[4:19:55] that place that people can
[4:19:57] graduate from emergency shelters
[4:19:59] are into the transition from
[4:20:01] transitional into permanent
[4:20:02] supportive housing as permanent
[4:20:04] supportive housing is being
[4:20:05] built so it gives you at least
[4:20:07] this conveyance, I guess, of
[4:20:09] getting folks into those units
[4:20:12] that take a long time that are
[4:20:14] really expense 55. I'm glad
[4:20:16] we're looking at that. The
[4:20:17] other thing we're looking at is
[4:20:18] just prevention. The more we
[4:20:21] can prevent people from falling
[4:20:23] into homelessness and the ending
[4:20:25] up in one of our shelters that
[4:20:27] pays off in the long run because
[4:20:30] we don't have to put them in the
[4:20:31] whole cycle we can keep them
[4:20:33] housed and invest in that,
[4:20:35] that's a really good thing. I'm
[4:20:37] not savings this to abandon
[4:20:39] investment in permanent
[4:20:41] supportive housing I think we
[4:20:42] need to augment it with these
[4:20:44] other two things because you
[4:20:45] know as you know, the front door
[4:20:49] keeps getting full, the back
[4:20:51] door, the exit is really limited
[4:20:53] and you know we just don't have
[4:20:54] a lot of people or a lot of
[4:20:56] inventory to, you know, put
[4:21:00] people in those permanent
[4:21:01] supportive units. So, I just
[4:21:03] wanted to kind of fill that out.
[4:21:05] I think with path they're doing
[4:21:06] as well as they could, given
[4:21:09] that huge barrier, like getting
[4:21:14] people on to -- into units
[4:21:17] permanent supportive units so I
[4:21:20] don't -- you know, defend them
[4:21:22] nor -- kind of agnostic given
[4:21:25] what the limitations are and
[4:21:27] inventory available of housing
[4:21:29] but I do think we need to look
[4:21:31] at small scale option,
[4:21:32] prevention, and continue
[4:21:35] investing in perm enhancement
[4:21:37] supportive.
[4:21:39] >>speaker: all options outside
[4:21:40] of the shelter will make our
[4:21:42] shelters more successful. Yeah.
[4:21:49] >>chair, doug chaffee: vice
[4:21:49] chair foley.
[4:21:50] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:21:51] thank you mr. Chairman what I
[4:21:52] was really pleased about
[4:21:54] mr. Beck was when we tacked and
[4:21:56] when I read the report was to
[4:21:57] see that the past case managers
[4:22:03] are doing a good job of getting
[4:22:05] the residents in the shelter all
[4:22:08] paperwork everything teed up so
[4:22:10] that when a unit becomes
[4:22:11] available they're at the ready
[4:22:13] as you know we have had many
[4:22:14] meetings over the last couple of
[4:22:16] years where some of our housing
[4:22:18] providers have been complaining
[4:22:20] this we didn't have people ready
[4:22:21] to go and so then they would say
[4:22:23] hey we have a housing unit
[4:22:25] available and unfortunately
[4:22:28] they're not ready because they
[4:22:30] don't have, you know, a social
[4:22:33] security card or they didn't
[4:22:34] fill out some piece of paper or
[4:22:36] they don't have their pay stubs
[4:22:39] so now that we have path doing
[4:22:42] such a good job of getting -- I
[4:22:44] think what was of the number?
[4:22:46] more than 80% of the people are
[4:22:48] teed up and ready to go that's
[4:22:50] going help us to reduce the
[4:22:52] bottleneck if you will.
[4:22:54] additionally, as it relates to
[4:22:55] the shelters and to the progress
[4:22:57] we have made, look, we're always
[4:23:00] going to be challenged to do
[4:23:01] more and to do better. And I
[4:23:04] support that. But I remember
[4:23:07] six years ago, when I would dish
[4:23:10] was in a long trial, 28 day
[4:23:12] trial in the court hours and
[4:23:14] every day I would walk in with
[4:23:16] my client and walk through the
[4:23:18] courtyard of flags, and I would
[4:23:21] tell my clients just look
[4:23:24] straight ahead and hold your
[4:23:26] breath. Because you would walk
[4:23:28] through this area and it was
[4:23:29] just wreaking with vomit and
[4:23:34] urine and people were living in
[4:23:36] encamping right at the
[4:23:39] courthouse. That's not there
[4:23:40] anymore. I remember around that
[4:23:42] same time period, there were
[4:23:44] people living all up-and-down
[4:23:46] the riverbed. That's not
[4:23:48] happening anymore. I also
[4:23:51] remember when I was mayor of
[4:23:53] costa mesa you could not go to
[4:23:55] the park at the lion's park
[4:23:58] where we have one of our
[4:24:00] beautiful libraries, the donald
[4:24:02] -- library which is the county
[4:24:04] library, that's not happening
[4:24:05] anymore. Now do we still have
[4:24:07] pockets where people are trying
[4:24:08] to encamp? Yes we do. And we
[4:24:11] will continue to address that
[4:24:13] and continue to get out and give
[4:24:15] services and continue to get
[4:24:16] people into the shelters or into
[4:24:19] recuperative care or permanent
[4:24:21] supportive housing or maybe
[4:24:22] reconnect them with their
[4:24:24] families. But we have made a
[4:24:26] lot of progress in the system of
[4:24:27] care, and housing and focusing
[4:24:30] on housing, the housing first
[4:24:33] model, in my opinion, does work.
[4:24:36] because you cannot treat people
[4:24:39] who are struggling, who are
[4:24:43] under the influence, who have
[4:24:45] mental health issues, maybe they
[4:24:47] need medication, they're not
[4:24:48] stable. You county treat them
[4:24:51] consistently. You county care
[4:24:52] for them if they're not under
[4:24:55] roof. And housing first
[4:24:57] includes the shelter. You know,
[4:24:58] that is housing. And, so, from
[4:25:01] my perspective, it does work
[4:25:04] because we're able to treat
[4:25:05] people. We're able to get them
[4:25:08] all of the paperwork that they
[4:25:09] need. We're able to help them
[4:25:11] get to the next place if they're
[4:25:14] housed. And a shelter is a
[4:25:16] housing from the temporary time
[4:25:19] being. So, I really believe
[4:25:21] that path has made a lot of
[4:25:23] progress. When I was
[4:25:25] representing district two, you
[4:25:26] know, I was the one calling all
[4:25:27] the time complaining because the
[4:25:29] businesses around the area were
[4:25:32] complaining and there is a lot
[4:25:33] of progress that has been made
[4:25:35] to reduce the ancillary impact
[4:25:38] and ensure that we're good
[4:25:40] neighbors. So I'm fine to
[4:25:41] support this item. I will say,
[4:25:45] we can make all this progress.
[4:25:47] we can't control external
[4:25:49] factors, like funding cuts to
[4:25:53] health care, like, premium
[4:25:56] increases, cost of living
[4:25:59] increases. Gas increases. We
[4:26:01] can't control all of those
[4:26:03] external factors that contribute
[4:26:04] to why some people become
[4:26:07] homeless. So, we can only do
[4:26:08] what we have control over. And
[4:26:11] so, I think do think we're
[4:26:13] building out a system of care
[4:26:14] and building up permanent
[4:26:16] supportive housing and we're
[4:26:17] doing a good job. With that.
[4:26:18] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[4:26:19] you if I may make a few
[4:26:21] comments. As supervisor nguyen
[4:26:23] points out the cost is about
[4:26:26] 23,800 per year per bed, about,
[4:26:29] that was my calculation too.
[4:26:31] the concern is 93% of that money
[4:26:32] is coming out of our already
[4:26:34] stretched general fund. And,
[4:26:37] so, that leads back to something
[4:26:39] that works better called
[4:26:41] prevention, it's a fraction of
[4:26:43] the cost if we can do that, as
[4:26:45] some of our pilot programs are
[4:26:47] demonstrating keeping people out
[4:26:49] of the trauma in the first place
[4:26:52] is an aside benefit besides the
[4:26:56] cost maybe being 10 to 15% what
[4:27:00] it is to keep the person in the
[4:27:01] shelter for a year. I would
[4:27:02] 
[4:27:05] neighbor policy that path must
[4:27:09] follow it's important we keep
[4:27:11] good relationships in the
[4:27:12] neighborhood and not have
[4:27:13] loitering or other trash thrown
[4:27:15] around, all that, then we also
[4:27:17] have county standards of care
[4:27:19] that they must follow as well.
[4:27:21] and they do a good job on that.
[4:27:23] so, one issue that I have is
[4:27:27] when we have people staying in
[4:27:29] the shelter, seems like forever
[4:27:31] sometimes, and then we have an
[4:27:34] affordable housing project that
[4:27:35] goes online. I'm wondering if
[4:27:38] we can't require that that new
[4:27:40] project that's going online,
[4:27:42] give some part of its available
[4:27:46] units to people who are already
[4:27:48] in a shelter. Do we have an
[4:27:49] ability to give the shelter
[4:27:52] population priority in some of
[4:27:54] these projects, irrespective of
[4:27:57] where that project may be
[4:27:58] located? I know the cities tend
[4:28:00] to upon to limit coming to a
[4:28:03] shelter, that they're in their
[4:28:06] city but we're providing
[4:28:08] funding. Can we come in here
[4:28:09] and help some of our people who
[4:28:11] are in the shelter get housing
[4:28:14] in a new project that's coming
[4:28:16] online.
[4:28:17] >>doug beck: we -- so many
[4:28:18] projects due to their funding
[4:28:20] require -- into the system for
[4:28:33] that coordinated system is
[4:28:35] orange continuum of care this
[4:28:38] is one priority given to folks
[4:28:40] that were in shelter, that
[4:28:42] priority has been taken away.
[4:28:47] one of the main reasons is it's
[4:28:50] that it was -- there were
[4:28:52] people, not a large amount, so
[4:28:54] most of the -- most of the
[4:28:57] revels from the go towards
[4:29:01] housing are from shelters high
[4:29:04] majority the reason is there is
[4:29:06] work that needs to be done in
[4:29:11] order to be ready to accept
[4:29:12] referral and housing one of the
[4:29:13] ways do that is working with a
[4:29:16] case manager this's where the
[4:29:18] shelter has a real advantage.
[4:29:20] there is a small subset of
[4:29:22] people on the street that we
[4:29:24] have been able to successfully
[4:29:26] house that have said if they're
[4:29:28] unemployment going into a
[4:29:29] shelter, specifically, some of
[4:29:31] our larger shelters but are
[4:29:34] willing to work with us, towards
[4:29:37] housing, but they just don't
[4:29:39] want to go into the shelter, we
[4:29:40] have been able to successful of
[4:29:42] house some of those folks. So,
[4:29:45] the challenge is there are a lot
[4:29:48] of competing needs or a lot of
[4:29:50] competing entities. Because
[4:29:56] they're, you know, coc would
[4:29:59] have to consider whether or not
[4:30:00] that would be specific to county
[4:30:02] shelters or specific to city
[4:30:04] shelter, or things to that
[4:30:06] nature. We have seen our
[4:30:09] quickest and most impactful time
[4:30:12] of getting people into housing
[4:30:14] through this policy of not
[4:30:17] having a specific requirement or
[4:30:20] a preference for shelter. Just
[4:30:22] because we don't -- and I'll
[4:30:24] state it again, just because we
[4:30:25] don't have that preference for
[4:30:27] shelter doesn't mean the high
[4:30:29] majority of people that go into
[4:30:30] and get selected for housing
[4:30:33] aren't from a shelter.
[4:30:35] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[4:30:35] you. You know, the problem with
[4:30:36] the people living at the shelter
[4:30:39] a year and a half two years
[4:30:42] there is no place to go I hope
[4:30:44] if we're funding some of these
[4:30:46] new affordable housing projects
[4:30:47] they may have first opportunity
[4:30:49] to qualifiy. That's where I
[4:30:50] think it would be a good way to
[4:30:52] go. Because part of the goal of
[4:30:54] the shelter care is to prepare
[4:30:55] them for housing.
[4:30:57] >>speaker: so, I should also
[4:30:58] clarify, the main criteria for
[4:31:02] prioritizing people is the
[4:31:04] length of homelessness so if
[4:31:08] someone has a long length of
[4:31:09] stay in the shelter they're
[4:31:11] going to be matched to an
[4:31:12] opportunity. So, yes, the goal
[4:31:15] is absolutely to move people as
[4:31:17] quickly through these shelters
[4:31:18] as possible.
[4:31:20] >>chair, doug chaffee: okay.
[4:31:20] well, you heard where I'm at.
[4:31:26] yeah.
[4:31:26] >>chair, doug chaffee:
[4:31:27] supervisor nguyen.
[4:31:28] >>janet nguyen: thank you
[4:31:29] mr. Chairman. What I'm hearing
[4:31:30] is prevention transitional
[4:31:32] housing is needed. What I'm
[4:31:34] also hearing is our emergency
[4:31:35] shelters are not delivering
[4:31:37] enough to self-sufficiency
[4:31:39] because you know how are
[4:31:42] becoming operating as a
[4:31:43] long-term transitional shelter.
[4:31:44] is that what I'm hearing?
[4:31:46] because it's not emergency
[4:31:50] shelter anymore. It is now a
[4:31:52] one-year, you know, two-year
[4:31:58] transitional housing.
[4:32:00] >>doug beck: that's one of the
[4:32:01] challenges is when we don't have
[4:32:03] somewhere to place someone, they
[4:32:05] sit longer. And now the
[4:32:07] function of the shelter changes
[4:32:10] from an immediate, you know, an
[4:32:14] emergency shelter, to your
[4:32:15] point, to almost means more of a
[4:32:19] transitional opportunity.
[4:32:20] >>janet nguyen: but it also,
[4:32:21] though, shows to -- I mean, at
[4:32:24] least to me, is that we -- if
[4:32:27] we're in an emerge shelter we're
[4:32:29] not really operating in terms of
[4:32:31] helping these individuals to
[4:32:33] get, you know, education, to get
[4:32:35] a job, other than, you know, it
[4:32:37] also depends on their job,
[4:32:40] right? You can move them into
[4:32:41] the next housing phase but what
[4:32:44] kind of housing are we talking
[4:32:45] about? Because if they're not
[4:32:47] able to keep a job or to get
[4:32:48] their kids in school to get a
[4:32:51] baby-sitter how are they going
[4:32:52] to move out even after that? I
[4:32:54] mean, what -- you know, auto a
[4:32:57] long-term goal. With what we
[4:32:59] currently have, it's just
[4:33:00] temporary -- literally just
[4:33:03] temporary should be temporary
[4:33:04] but it's becoming a very long
[4:33:07] temporary system.
[4:33:08] >>doug beck: yes. And we do
[4:33:09] have case managers there that
[4:33:11] help in those regards. And I
[4:33:12] would argue that is why one of
[4:33:14] the metrics we continue to have
[4:33:16] is exits into permanent housing.
[4:33:18] it's not exits into permanent
[4:33:21] supportive housing it's exits
[4:33:23] into permanent housing obviously
[4:33:25] supportive permanent housing
[4:33:27] includes that. The reason I
[4:33:28] state that is because we do work
[4:33:30] with path, closely, to ensure
[4:33:33] that the folks who are in our
[4:33:35] shelter are working towards the
[4:33:38] different options if they can
[4:33:40] work we're doing our best to
[4:33:42] link them with employment. If
[4:33:44] they could -- we have mental
[4:33:47] health subsidies programs in
[4:33:48] onsite and offsite. So that is
[4:33:50] one of the challenges is that
[4:33:53] people are staying longer, but
[4:33:55] with our model whether we like
[4:33:57] it or not does adapt to that.
[4:33:59] we have the case managers and
[4:34:01] that's their goal and focus.
[4:34:03] >>janet nguyen: and maybe next
[4:34:04] time you come back to give us an
[4:34:06] update on this program is to add
[4:34:07] in that data. Right? Is to add
[4:34:10] in to let us know okay 100 has
[4:34:12] shown up 100 has been in here
[4:34:14] since january 1st, ten of them
[4:34:17] have gone into permanent
[4:34:20] amendment jobs, making over this
[4:34:22] income. The -- you know, the
[4:34:25] other 25 are disabled, unable to
[4:34:30] work. The other one are over,
[4:34:32] you know, age, or whatever it
[4:34:35] is, I think -- then it helps us
[4:34:37] to know what population is
[4:34:39] coming in and which one is being
[4:34:41] helped more permanent which one
[4:34:44] isn't and maybe we shift our
[4:34:45] money into other opportunities
[4:34:47] if auto more seniors that are,
[4:34:50] end up in homelessness, what is
[4:34:52] that? Is it because of, you
[4:34:54] know, addiction? Mental health,
[4:34:57] or is it because of income? I
[4:35:01] think that would help us in how
[4:35:05] many families have children, how
[4:35:07] many don't, and what are the
[4:35:08] age, under 18. I think those
[4:35:11] kind of questions would help us
[4:35:12] or that data would assist us to,
[4:35:18] okay maybe we're fine where we
[4:35:19] are. But if there is an anomaly
[4:35:23] somewhere this's something we
[4:35:26] consider and pivot.
[4:35:28] >>chair, doug chaffee: I think
[4:35:29] we need to move on. We have got
[4:35:30] another similar item coming up
[4:35:32] soon we can do that. Can we
[4:35:36] just go to a little --
[4:35:38] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: one
[4:35:39] request. Mr. Beck can you
[4:35:41] forward to supervisor nguyen the
[4:35:43] link to the dashboard that has
[4:35:46] most of the information that she
[4:35:48] requested?
[4:35:50] >>speaker: may I?
[4:35:52] >>chair, doug chaffee: I
[4:35:53] believe we have a motion and
[4:35:53] second. Any objection? Motion
[4:35:58] carries and the item is
[4:35:59] approved. We go on to item 25.
[4:36:02] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:36:04] stieler: approve charge ready
[4:36:04] transport program participation
[4:36:07] agreements with southern
[4:36:08] california edison for deployment
[4:36:10] of make-ready electrical
[4:36:12] infrastructure and/or receipt of
[4:36:15] related rebates, term ending
[4:36:16] 12/31/26; authorize chief real
[4:36:16] estate officer or designees to
[4:36:18] execute agreements, easement
[4:36:19] deeds and amendments under
[4:36:20] certain conditions; and make
[4:36:21] california environmental quality
[4:36:22] act (ceqa) exemption findings
[4:36:24] under ceqa guidelines section
[4:36:26] 15301 - all districts no
[4:36:27] requests to speak on agenda item
[4:36:27] 25.
[4:36:28] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[4:36:28] district item.
[4:36:29] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[4:36:30] the item.
[4:36:30] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[4:36:31] objection? Item is approved.
[4:36:32] item 26 please?
[4:36:34] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:36:35] stieler: approve contract
[4:36:36] ma-017-26010918 with path for
[4:36:38] bridges at kraemer place shelter
[4:36:39] operations and services, 5/1/26
[4:36:40] - 6/30/29 ($15,993,179);
[4:36:42] renewable for two additional
[4:36:43] one-year terms; and authorize
[4:36:44] county procurement officer or
[4:36:45] deputized designee to exercise
[4:36:47] cost contingency increase not to
[4:36:48] exceed 10% under certain
[4:36:49] conditions and execute contract
[4:36:51] - district 4 no requests to
[4:36:53] speak on agenda item 26.
[4:36:54] >>chair, doug chaffee: district
[4:36:54] four item I'm going to approve
[4:36:58] it with some comments. Is there
[4:36:58] a second?
[4:36:59] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:37:00] second.
[4:37:00] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[4:37:01] other comments?
[4:37:03] this shelter site was selected
[4:37:05] subject by a combined effort of
[4:37:09] the cities of fullerton and
[4:37:11] anaheim that the county support
[4:37:13] both fullerton and anaheim to
[4:37:15] provide additional funding to
[4:37:19] acquire the site I was voted
[4:37:22] representative of the county at
[4:37:24] that time. It's an interesting
[4:37:25] site. It was not our first
[4:37:27] choice actually but it has
[4:37:29] worked. Nearby about half block
[4:37:32] away is a gentleman's club.
[4:37:34] used to be a piano store, and a
[4:37:36] bar is about a block away but it
[4:37:40] has worked well. One thing I
[4:37:43] would note it's more costly than
[4:37:45] the yale shelter on a per bed
[4:37:47] basis. I think it's older, and
[4:37:50] wasn't -- there would be --
[4:37:51] yeah, it was built at kind of
[4:37:54] took the benefit of some of what
[4:37:56] this shelter could have done
[4:37:58] better. And so you have a more
[4:38:00] efficient shelter at yale than
[4:38:02] you do at the kraemer place
[4:38:04] shelter. So it's my pleasure to
[4:38:05] move this item.
[4:38:06] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:38:07] second.
[4:38:08] >>chair, doug chaffee: moved
[4:38:09] and seconded. Any objection?
[4:38:11] okay. Is approved. Now we go
[4:38:15] on to item 27.
[4:38:15] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:38:16] stieler: uapprove amendment 1
[4:38:17] to contracts ma-017-23010733
[4:38:18] with fieldman, rolapp &
[4:38:19] associates and ma-017-23011310
[4:38:21] with csg advisors, inc for
[4:38:22] general public finance municipal
[4:38:24] advisory services, 4/10/26 -
[4:38:25] 4/9/28 ($200,000 each per year;
[4:38:26] cumulative total $1,000,000
[4:38:27] each); and authorize county
[4:38:27] procurement officer or deputized
[4:38:28] designee to execute amendments -
[4:38:31] all districts no request to
[4:38:32] speak on agenda item 27.
[4:38:35] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[4:38:36] district item.
[4:38:37] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[4:38:38] the item.
[4:38:39] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[4:38:39] objection? Item 27 is approved.
[4:38:41] 28 please.
[4:38:42] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:38:43] stieler: approve assignment,
[4:38:44] novation and consent agreement
[4:38:46] from stradling yocca carlson &
[4:38:49] rauth assigning to stradling
[4:38:51] yocca carlson & rauth llp;
[4:38:54] approve amendment 1 to contract
[4:38:55] ma-017-23010759 with stradling
[4:38:56] yocca carlson & rauth llp and
[4:38:57] amendment 2 to contract
[4:38:58] ma-017-23011183 with orrick
[4:38:59] herrington & sutcliffe llp for
[4:39:01] general public finance legal
[4:39:03] services, 4/11/26 - 4/10/28
[4:39:04] ($200,000 each per year;
[4:39:05] cumulative total $1,000,000
[4:39:05] each); and authorize county
[4:39:06] procurement officer or deputized
[4:39:07] designee to execute agreement
[4:39:07] and amendments - all districts
[4:39:09] no requests to speak on agenda
[4:39:10] item 28.
[4:39:12] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[4:39:12] district item.
[4:39:13] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[4:39:14] the item.
[4:39:14] >>chair, doug chaffee: any
[4:39:15] objection? Item is approved.
[4:39:17] item 29 has been continued. So
[4:39:20] now we come to item 30.
[4:39:23] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:39:24] stieler: county executive
[4:39:25] office - approve grant
[4:39:27] applications/awards submitted by
[4:39:28] district attorney and oc
[4:39:29] community resources in 3/24/26
[4:39:31] grant report and other actions
[4:39:33] as recommended - all districts
[4:39:34] no requests to speak on agenda
[4:39:35] item 30.
[4:39:36] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[4:39:37] district item.
[4:39:38] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[4:39:38] the item.
[4:39:39] >>chair, doug chaffee: moved
[4:39:41] and seconded. Any objection?
[4:39:43] item 30 is approved.
[4:39:45] item 31, please
[4:39:46] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:39:47] stieler: adopt resolution
[4:39:50] approving property tax exchange
[4:39:52] for annexation of gateway notch
[4:39:53] parcels to city of irvine -
[4:39:55] district 3 no requests to speak
[4:39:56] on agenda item 31.
[4:39:58] >>chair, doug chaffee: district
[4:39:58] three item.
[4:40:00] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: move
[4:40:01] the item.
[4:40:03] >>chair, doug chaffee: moved
[4:40:03] and seconded. Any objection?
[4:40:05] seeing none. It is approved.
[4:40:08] item 32 was our public hearing
[4:40:10] earlier on. So now we go to
[4:40:12] supplement 31a.
[4:40:15] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:40:16] stieler: chair chaffee - buena
[4:40:17] park library district board of
[4:40:17] trustees - appoint (rudy)
[4:40:18] rodolfo solorzano, buena park,
[4:40:21] to complete term ending 12/6/28
[4:40:25] no requests to speak on s31a is.
[4:40:28] >>chair, doug chaffee: I move
[4:40:28] the item.
[4:40:29] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:40:29] second is. Any objection? Item
[4:40:31] is approved.
[4:40:32] item supplement
[4:40:33] 31b please
[4:40:34] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:40:35] stieler: under supervisor
[4:40:36] nguyen supervisor nguyen -
[4:40:37] orange county cemetery district
[4:40:38] - appoint kelly ann rivers,
[4:40:39] huntington beach, for term
[4:40:40] ending 1/7/30
[4:40:42] >>chair, doug chaffee: did
[4:40:44] nguyen no objection item is
[4:40:47] aproved. I think that was all of
[4:40:49] the supplements madam clerk?
[4:40:52] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:40:53] stieler: yes. Yes.
[4:41:00] >>chair, doug chaffee: all
[4:41:01] right. Now we're coming on to
[4:41:04] our comment section. And we'll
[4:41:07] go to public comments. Madam
[4:41:09] clerk would you call the
[4:41:10] speakers?
[4:41:11] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:41:11] stieler: yes we received 12
[4:41:13] requests to speak I'll call
[4:41:14] three names at a time please
[4:41:15] line up behind the podium when
[4:41:16] your name is called. Steve
[4:41:18] rocco, moonheart and paul
[4:41:20] hyack.
[4:41:26] >>speaker: there are white lies
[4:41:28] and there are black lies.
[4:41:31] did you know that
[4:41:33] slavery is legal? It's right
[4:41:36] there in the constitution. Look
[4:41:39] it up. And abe lincoln got rid
[4:41:41] of slavery, he had an exception
[4:41:45] and that exception was
[4:41:50] prisoners. And if you're a
[4:41:53] prisoner, you're a slave if you
[4:41:56] think that's not relevant today,
[4:41:58] who do you think made your car
[4:42:00] license plate and fighting these
[4:42:02] forest fires? Big surprise.
[4:42:08] well, that leads us to today.
[4:42:11] this is still reconstruction.
[4:42:13] after the civil war, nobody
[4:42:14] paid a greater price for slavery
[4:42:15] than white folks. And they paid
[4:42:16] it in the -- well they paid it
[4:42:17] by soldiers, almost one million
[4:42:21] dead, almost 1 million. After
[4:42:24] the war they had their voting
[4:42:27] rights taken away and they were
[4:42:31] governed by scallywags and
[4:42:32] carpetbaggers and freed negro
[4:42:35] slaves.
[4:42:35] the big sin was, for white folks
[4:42:39] anyway, if you ever saw that
[4:42:40] mini series "roots" it begins
[4:42:44] with with a bunch of white folks
[4:42:45] and the jungles of africa
[4:42:48] looking for black folks to
[4:42:50] enslave. It's not true. As a
[4:42:52] matter of fact, black folks
[4:42:55] enslave black folks in tribal
[4:43:00] wars, and they were sold to
[4:43:02] arabs, arab merchants. And then
[4:43:11] they were sold you yankees. Did
[4:43:13] you know why yankees bought
[4:43:14] slaves? Because you got free
[4:43:17] land. The more slaves you had,
[4:43:18] the more you got free land. All
[4:43:19] this doesn't make white folks
[4:43:20] look very good. And we still
[4:43:20] have that strange notion that
[4:43:22] white folks who are responsible
[4:43:23] for slavery and they're the bad
[4:43:24] guys and all this other
[4:43:26] nonsense. And it comes to today
[4:43:32] white folks now becoming
[4:43:33] second-class citizens, not as
[4:43:37] good as, not as many opportunity
[4:43:39] as. And what has been
[4:43:39] weaponized is something which
[4:43:42] is pretty much close to
[4:43:44] a genocide or an extermination
[4:43:51] of the race. And that is
[4:43:54] illegals. You know it's against
[4:43:56] the law to be in the united
[4:44:00] states without a passport, and
[4:44:02] you could be charged with
[4:44:02] harboring. That's a
[4:44:03] misdemeanor. Catch you twice
[4:44:06] it's a felony. But for some
[4:44:07] strange reason, people think
[4:44:08] that, well you've been
[4:44:09] in prison and now you're let go
[4:44:10] and you're as good as anybody
[4:44:12] else. You're not an american.
[4:44:13] you're not an american.
[4:44:13] you shouldn't be here. That's
[4:44:14] what americans want. They want
[4:44:15] a robust deportation. They want
[4:44:23] you gone. They don't want
[4:44:26] homelessness. The solution to
[4:44:33] homelessness is get rid of the
[4:44:35] illegals.
[4:44:38] >>chair, doug chaffee: next
[4:44:38] speakers please.
[4:44:39] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:44:40] stieler: the next three
[4:44:41] speakers are felipe lopez, karla
[4:44:45] alvarado, and cher.
[4:44:56] >>speaker: good afternoon board
[4:44:56] of supervisors, miss foley, mr.
[4:44:57] chafee, mr. Sarmiento miss
[4:44:58] nguyen. My name is felipe
[4:44:58] lopez, ii. For 36 years I've
[4:44:59] lived in orange county. And I'm
[4:45:01] just here to give thanks and
[4:45:02] praise to the county board of
[4:45:05] supervisors. I love this
[4:45:06] county. I work here. I don't
[4:45:14] travel, which further anchors me
[4:45:19] here. I love being a resident
[4:45:21] of orange county. I currently
[4:45:22] work at path yale navigation
[4:45:25] center as overnight safety
[4:45:28] support associate is doing big
[4:45:31] things. Paths leadership is
[4:45:33] taking into consideration
[4:45:35] everything that you're saying.
[4:45:37] I just started working there and
[4:45:42] I've fallen in love with all
[4:45:43] things homelessness. I'm trying
[4:45:44] to learn everything so I can be
[4:45:46] a better citizen and help in
[4:45:47] any way I can. But really just
[4:45:48] want to give a shout out to all
[4:45:50] of you. Shout out to the
[4:45:51] sheriff's department. I know
[4:45:54] mr barnes gets a lot of heat but
[4:45:55] I know if I call 911, someone's
[4:46:02] coming. Someone's coming to
[4:46:02] help me.
[4:46:04] and so, many people, many
[4:46:04] citizens come and complain. I
[4:46:06] want to take a little bit of
[4:46:07] time and say thank you.
[4:46:08] especially to you, mr sarmiento,
[4:46:09] I can see that you're doing
[4:46:12] big work. I appreciate all the
[4:46:14] comments that you've said.
[4:46:16] you've been very involved. You
[4:46:19] responded to the 11 commenters
[4:46:22] that were here, and I have just
[4:46:24] been very impressed with you. I
[4:46:29] believe your future is big and I
[4:46:31] just want to say that. And also
[4:46:33] regarding your donated salary,
[4:46:35] wow. Big round of applause to
[4:46:37] you, sir. But to all of you for
[4:46:41] sitting back there, working
[4:46:43] behind the scenes to make us
[4:46:44] better, again, I love this
[4:46:50] county and thank you for being
[4:46:51] up there taking the heat and
[4:46:53] trying to be strong. Thank you
[4:46:55] to the staff here and appreciate
[4:47:12] you all. Thank you.
[4:47:12] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[4:47:13] you. May I have the next
[4:47:14] speaker, please.
[4:47:14] >>speaker: sorry. Good
[4:47:15] afternoon board members. My
[4:47:22] name is karla alvarado. I'm
[4:47:24] here representing the mobile
[4:47:25] home park in your county by the
[4:47:27] name of coach royal park owned
[4:47:35] by an out-of-state corporation,
[4:47:36] kingsley management. I'm here
[4:47:37] because there is ongoing crisis
[4:47:38] affecting us mobile homeowners
[4:47:38] in your county, one
[4:47:41] that is resulting the total loss
[4:47:43] of our home and the failure of
[4:47:44] the very system that was meant
[4:47:47] to protect us. This corporation
[4:47:49] is initiating evictions actions
[4:47:51] without without proper legal
[4:47:53] foundation, often pretextual,
[4:47:54] retaliatory and unsupported by
[4:47:55] legitimate violations, while
[4:48:01] simultaneously -- simultaneously
[4:48:03] interfering with homeowners'
[4:48:04] ability to lawfully sell our
[4:48:05] homes. Were being stripped
[4:48:11] from our homes and left with
[4:48:16] nothing. As a result, the
[4:48:20] homeowners are being stripped
[4:48:22] from their ownership rights and
[4:48:25] losing everything they worked
[4:48:26] for in america. This is not an
[4:48:28] isolated incident. There have
[4:48:30] been repeated complaints and
[4:48:31] hundreds of affected residents
[4:48:33] throughout the whole county,
[4:48:36] documented violations and years
[4:48:37] of notices to the appropriate
[4:48:38] agencies here there has been a
[4:48:39] failure to take meaningful
[4:48:40] enforcement action homeowners
[4:48:44] are being treated as tenants and
[4:48:47] classes are being used in ways
[4:48:50] that bypass protections
[4:48:53] significantly established under
[4:48:54] california law for mobile home
[4:48:56] residents the department of
[4:48:58] housing and community
[4:49:00] development was created to
[4:49:02] protect homeowners and address
[4:49:04] power imbalances. But its
[4:49:05] failure to act is allowing these
[4:49:05] imbalances to be exploited.
[4:49:06] the consequences are
[4:49:08] devastating. Families are
[4:49:09] losing everything and their
[4:49:11] stability, there are laws in
[4:49:13] place. There's funding in
[4:49:16] place. There are agencies that
[4:49:20] has to protect residents, yet --
[4:49:22] yet in practice those
[4:49:25] protections are not being
[4:49:26] enforced.
[4:49:27] this is not a housing issue --
[4:49:29] this is not just a housing
[4:49:31] issue, it's an accountability
[4:49:32] issue. It's an ongoing issue is
[4:49:34] impacting hard-working families
[4:49:36] vulnerable elderlies and minor
[4:49:39] children are affected violating
[4:49:41] a lot of loss you you our county
[4:49:43] does not stay silent and no one
[4:49:44] should have to live in fear.
[4:49:45] yet that is happening within our
[4:49:46] community. So today we're
[4:49:48] asking you guys what will this
[4:49:48] board do to ensure enforcement
[4:49:49] with the laws already in place?
[4:49:50] what oversight will you -- will
[4:49:54] be initiated to address, both,
[4:49:58] conduct of these corporations
[4:50:00] that are out of state and the
[4:50:03] failure of the agencies to act
[4:50:04] we're asking you to use your
[4:50:06] authority to protect our
[4:50:08] community and the very people
[4:50:09] that you were put in place to
[4:50:11] protect and ensure this
[4:50:12] does not continue. No one
[4:50:13] should lose their home because
[4:50:14] us because of the system
[4:50:16] designed to protect them has
[4:50:18] failed to act. Thank you.
[4:50:19] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[4:50:21] you ma'am.
[4:50:23] >>vincente sarmiento:
[4:50:24] mr. Speaker before we go on I
[4:50:25] want to say to the last
[4:50:26] speaker's point, karla is a
[4:50:28] constituent of mine in district
[4:50:30] two she's referring to a mobile
[4:50:34] home park called coach
[4:50:36] royal. There's been a lot of
[4:50:37] unnecessary harassment,
[4:50:39] hostility towards the mobile
[4:50:41] home park owners. So our
[4:50:42] office has been working with
[4:50:44] them. What was really
[4:50:47] egregious is that just two weeks
[4:50:48] ago one of the mobile
[4:50:49] home park residents her name was
[4:50:52] lucy pedraza committed suicide.
[4:50:54] and part of that had to do with
[4:50:57] the hostility and threats that
[4:51:01] she was receiving from the
[4:51:03] property managers they were
[4:51:06] threatening to call ice on her
[4:51:07] she was a legal resident. Her
[4:51:09] -- she was the only caretaker
[4:51:13] for her sister claudia, and now
[4:51:15] dr. Kelly has been really
[4:51:16] helpful. Have to give her a
[4:51:17] shout-out because she's now
[4:51:19] trying to find a caregiver for
[4:51:20] the sister. And so you know you
[4:51:24] know. It's a very unfortunate,
[4:51:24] really terrible condition
[4:51:25] there. But we don't have any
[4:51:26] jurisdiction as a county over
[4:51:32] that site. But I'm working
[4:51:33] with the city manager and
[4:51:35] council member hernandez,
[4:51:39] whose district this is. And
[4:51:39] we're trying to place all
[4:51:42] our efforts to support what
[4:51:42] they're doing. We're also
[4:51:44] -- but what I also see is this
[4:51:45] needs a legislative
[4:51:46] fix. So we're reaching out to
[4:51:49] senator umber's office because
[4:51:50] some of the residents want to
[4:51:51] sell their units but the consent
[4:51:53] is being unreasonably withheld
[4:51:54] by the property owners. So
[4:51:55] that's something that needs
[4:51:56] to be fixed in the law.
[4:52:00] you know, what happens is some
[4:52:03] of these mobile home park owners
[4:52:04] want to sell their units;
[4:52:06] property owner, you know,
[4:52:08] doesn't want to consent so
[4:52:09] they're limited to now just
[4:52:11] accepting a below market amount
[4:52:13] from people that the property
[4:52:17] owner will share. So, it is --
[4:52:21] it's very difficult. We have a
[4:52:23] meeting with the property owner
[4:52:24] coming up. So I'm going to try
[4:52:27] to compel and at least appeal
[4:52:29] to letting them know that they
[4:52:30] are now, you know, overstepping
[4:52:32] what they should be doing as
[4:52:38] property owners. But I just
[4:52:39] wanted to give the board just an
[4:52:40] update let them know that we're
[4:52:41] in contact with them and trying
[4:52:42] to provide as much support both
[4:52:44] you know on the mental health
[4:52:45] side. But ours also
[4:52:48] legislatively and making
[4:52:49] sure we're supporting the city
[4:52:50] and their efforts.
[4:52:53] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[4:52:54] you for your assistance in this
[4:52:55] matter.
[4:52:56] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:52:58] mr. Sarmiento?
[4:52:59] >>chair, doug chaffee: vice
[4:52:59] chair?
[4:53:00] >>v. Chair, katrina foley:
[4:53:00] supervisor sarmiento,
[4:53:03] are you working with gsmol?
[4:53:04] they're a manufactured home
[4:53:05] league and they do advocacy work
[4:53:07] and litigation. So you might
[4:53:08] want to reach out to them
[4:53:11] because they're a good advocate.
[4:53:12] >>vincente sarmiento: thank
[4:53:13] you.
[4:53:14] >>chair, doug chaffee: are
[4:53:14] there any more speakers?
[4:53:15] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:53:16] stieler: yes, we do. The next
[4:53:17] three speakers are elmer
[4:53:18] flores, greg aerosmith, and
[4:53:20] patty kabada.
[4:53:36] >>speaker:
[4:53:37] california brown act of 1953
[4:53:38] forcing local government
[4:53:40] agencies to be transparent
[4:53:42] with the taxpaying
[4:53:43] citizens. Focus I emailed this
[4:53:46] to be informed about government
[4:53:47] actions and decisions in
[4:53:49] conclusion the purpose of having
[4:53:51] orange county board of
[4:53:53] supervisors meetings are to
[4:53:55] involvement is in violation of
[4:53:57] the brown act and violates
[4:53:59] rights of speech chaffee took
[4:54:03] around, leon page replied back
[4:54:06] to my march 11th 2026 e-mail, my
[4:54:12] letter lacks merit with his
[4:54:14] further explanation and the body
[4:54:15] of his e-mail. Here's my follow
[4:54:18] up argument brown act 2003 page
[4:54:24] 19, section 1115d of the bagley
[4:54:26] keen act concerning state
[4:54:31] bodies. 1967 open meeting act
[4:54:34] is a california law that
[4:54:35] requires state agency meetings
[4:54:37] to be open to the public
[4:54:39] ensuring transparency and
[4:54:40] accountability in government. I
[4:54:42] asked ai if I can present the
[4:54:46] bagley keen open meeting act at
[4:54:48] a local government stetting.
[4:54:51] ai's response, yes you can
[4:54:52] present the bagley keene open
[4:54:54] meeting act at a local
[4:54:55] government setting as it's
[4:54:55] relevant to state agencies and
[4:54:59] regarding open meetings accords
[4:55:02] to the first amendment
[4:55:03] coalition. Formerly the bagley
[4:55:05] keen act specifically applies to
[4:55:08] state entities. Principles can
[4:55:09] be relevant in local government
[4:55:11] settings. This act is crucial
[4:55:13] for protecting citizen's rights
[4:55:15] to protect and be informed about
[4:55:18] decisions. In conclusion, the
[4:55:20] purpose of having orange county
[4:55:21] board of supervisors meetings
[4:55:21] are to increase transparency and
[4:55:23] involvement with the tax paying
[4:55:25] citizens. The meetings are not
[4:55:27] designed for the convenience of
[4:55:28] the public civil servants that
[4:55:31] receive financial compensation,
[4:55:32] health care, pension, et cetera
[4:55:33] from the tax paying citizens.
[4:55:35] the public civil servants keep
[4:55:39] on forgetting where his or her
[4:55:40] place is. Like you see analogy
[4:55:41] that a public civil servant, in
[4:55:42] general, is similar to an out
[4:55:43] out of control and spoiled
[4:55:44] teenager that has no respect
[4:55:46] under his or her parents roof.
[4:55:47] this was is an issue with the
[4:55:48] state of california and the
[4:55:49] local governments. I do look
[4:55:50] forward to seeing a change
[4:55:51] for the best interests of the
[4:55:52] taxpaying citizens in the near
[4:55:54] future.
[4:55:57] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[4:55:58] you, sir.
[4:55:59] next speaker, please.
[4:56:06] >>speaker: good afternoon
[4:56:11] board. I'm here to also ask you
[4:56:13] to please look into the
[4:56:14] situation that is happening with
[4:56:15] coach royal mobile home park. I
[4:56:18] would like to say thank you to
[4:56:19] supervisor vincente sarmiento
[4:56:22] for taking the time to invest
[4:56:25] into these residents. I would
[4:56:27] ask that all of you perhaps take
[4:56:29] time out of your day to look to
[4:56:31] see what is happening there.
[4:56:32] because we do have american
[4:56:35] citizens that live there. It's
[4:56:36] not just a mobile home park with
[4:56:41] undocumented residents. But I
[4:56:43] have a question. I would like
[4:56:45] to know if, what these
[4:56:46] residents, the undocumented ones
[4:56:47] are going through. Would that
[4:56:49] qualify for extortion? And if
[4:56:54] it is, does that allow these
[4:56:57] undocumented residents to apply
[4:56:59] for a new visa. Most of people
[4:57:01] are deeply afraid to speak up.
[4:57:07] if you took time out of your day
[4:57:09] to look and see the people that
[4:57:11] are being affected here, right
[4:57:12] in our county, you would see how
[4:57:13] detrimental it has been to many
[4:57:15] of them because people have been
[4:57:18] made homeless families with
[4:57:20] multiple children per household
[4:57:22] have been made homeless due to
[4:57:23] all this criminal and illegal
[4:57:25] activities in this mobile home
[4:57:27] park. Mind you, the same owners
[4:57:30] of that park own another mobile
[4:57:31] home park in the same street
[4:57:33] right down with hundreds of
[4:57:34] residents that are experiencing
[4:57:35] the same thing so you see this
[4:57:36] is a county problem it's not
[4:57:39] just a district problem.
[4:57:43] because all of these people
[4:57:46] reside within orange county
[4:57:49] so this is everyone's problem
[4:57:51] you to please use your
[4:57:52] resources.
[4:57:53] help, supervisor vincent
[4:57:58] sarmiento to allow these
[4:57:59] residents to be able to sell
[4:58:00] their homes without fear to be
[4:58:04] able to speak up without fear of
[4:58:05] having ice picking them up.
[4:58:06] and it's very unfortunate
[4:58:09] because every person that
[4:58:10] purchased their mobile home they
[4:58:12] worked for it. Nobody gave it
[4:58:14] to them. They didn't get a
[4:58:15] voucher for their mobile homes
[4:58:17] you have residents that were
[4:58:21] evicted after 15, 20 years of
[4:58:26] being residents there. That's
[4:58:27] criminal.
[4:58:28] so I ask and urge you, once
[4:58:29] again. I'm pleading with you to
[4:58:30] please reach out to these
[4:58:30] residents so that mother no
[4:58:34] other single mother makes an
[4:58:39] unfortunate decision to commit
[4:58:40] suicide. Because the mother
[4:58:43] that committed suicide was a
[4:58:47] working mother who worked very
[4:58:49] hard to purchase her home
[4:58:49] and her son found her dead in
[4:58:51] the tub from suicide.
[4:58:51] I would hope that we don't want
[4:58:52] that to happen again. Thank
[4:58:56] you.
[4:58:57] >>chair, doug chaffee. Thank
[4:58:57] you so much.
[4:58:58] >>clerk of the board, robin
[4:58:59] stieler: after elmer flores,
[4:59:00] the last three speakers are
[4:59:01] brian k, stephen mcnally and
[4:59:02] reeder.
[4:59:16] >>speaker: happy day. I'll
[4:59:22] touch on the mobile home park.
[4:59:23] sharon quirk silva had a lot
[4:59:24] of success working to stop
[4:59:26] rancho la paz from doing
[4:59:27] the same thing.
[4:59:30] it was about five years ago I
[4:59:32] saw a deputy slamming doors.
[4:59:37] I asked him why he did it.
[4:59:41] he bragged, he said, oh, I'm
[4:59:43] working graveyard and I'm pissed
[4:59:44] and I'm angry and I'm slamming
[4:59:44] doors.
[4:59:46] and then one of them broke.
[4:59:51] little of sharing with me that
[4:59:53] he broke a jail door, putting
[4:59:55] his life and his inmates life at
[4:59:57] risk, he learned. He learned
[5:00:01] that slamming a jail door isn't
[5:00:02] a good idea.
[5:00:05] and recently I was
[5:00:07] in jail, and it was about seven
[5:00:12] hours, maybe eight hours
[5:00:13] before I heard a jail door slam.
[5:00:14] and when that door was slammed,
[5:00:15] all the other deputies
[5:00:17] looked at the deputy
[5:00:18] who slammed the door like
[5:00:21] what's wrong with you? Don't
[5:00:23] you have any respect for your
[5:00:24] other deputies?
[5:00:27] you know, today
[5:00:28] janet nguyen talked about how
[5:00:30] she has trouble reaching
[5:00:31] out, and how other
[5:00:33] people within the
[5:00:34] county don't answer
[5:00:35] her messages.
[5:00:39] >>speaker: it's been about ten
[5:00:42] minutes not getting
[5:00:46] communications. You spent half
[5:00:47] an hour talking about problems
[5:00:48] with ice and issues with
[5:00:50] government.
[5:01:20] >>speaker: anaheim police shot
[5:01:22] and killed a man who had his
[5:01:24] hands up. Have you done
[5:01:26] anything to protect your
[5:01:27] constituents? I mean, you're
[5:01:28] doing the same things ice are
[5:01:31] doing. Anaheim police have
[5:01:34] killed just as many people as
[5:01:36] ice has. And you're asking for
[5:01:39] help. Janet is asking for help.
[5:01:45] katrina foley is asking for
[5:01:47] help. She actually doesn't
[5:01:49] understand -- she didn't
[5:01:51] understand the requirements for
[5:01:53] buying flyers and jackets. She
[5:01:55] spent a good five minutes
[5:01:57] talking about that today.
[5:01:58] that's why we have first
[5:02:03] amendment so we can come down
[5:02:05] here and tell you that you have
[5:02:06] made a mistake and that you can
[5:02:08] correct it. I don't know why
[5:02:09] janet thinks it's funny to
[5:02:12] ignore somebody and then
[5:02:14] complain about being ignored
[5:02:16] herself does that I make sense
[5:02:19] to anybody? Happy day.
[5:02:22] >>chair, doug chaffee: any more
[5:02:24] speakers?
[5:02:25] >>clerk of the board, robin
[5:02:26] stieler: and alley reeder.
[5:02:43] >>speaker: do not envy evil men
[5:02:46] do not desire to be with them
[5:02:48] for their heart studies
[5:02:50] destruction and their lips talk
[5:02:53] of trouble a house built through
[5:02:56] wisdom it is established by
[5:02:59] understanding and by knowledge
[5:03:00] will the chambers be filled with
[5:03:03] all pressures and pleasant
[5:03:06] riches, a wise man is strong yet
[5:03:08] a man of knowledge increases for
[5:03:12] wise counsel you will make war
[5:03:14] and to multitude of counselors
[5:03:17] there is safety wisdom is too
[5:03:19] high for a fellow he does not
[5:03:21] open his mouth in the gate he
[5:03:23] devices to do evil will be
[5:03:25] called a mischievous person the
[5:03:26] thought of the foolish is sin
[5:03:27] this corner is an abomination to
[5:03:32] men if you paint the day of
[5:03:34] adversity your strength is
[5:03:36] strength small if you refrain to
[5:03:39] deliver those who are drawn unto
[5:03:42] death are ready to be slain if
[5:03:44] you say behold we did not know
[5:03:46] it does not he who ponders the
[5:03:49] heart of considerate and he who
[5:03:51] keeps your soul does he know it
[5:03:53] and will he not rendered to
[5:03:57] every man according to his
[5:03:59] works. My son, eat honey
[5:04:01] because it is good and the
[5:04:03] honeycomb which is sweet to your
[5:04:04] palate so will the knowledge of
[5:04:06] wisdom be to your soul when you
[5:04:08] have found it then there will be
[5:04:10] a future in your expectation
[5:04:12] will not be cut off do not lie
[5:04:16] in wait oh wicked man against
[5:04:18] the dwelling of the righteous do
[5:04:20] not plunder his resting place
[5:04:23] for a righteous man falls seven
[5:04:25] times then rises up again do not
[5:04:27] rejoys when your enemy falls do
[5:04:30] not let your heart rejoice
[5:04:34] enthusiastically when he
[5:04:35] stumbles left the lord see it
[5:04:37] and displease him he would turn
[5:04:40] away his wrath from him do not
[5:04:43] fret yourself because of bad
[5:04:45] people do not envy the wicked
[5:04:47] for there will be no future for
[5:04:49] the bad one the lamp of the
[5:04:51] wicked will be put out my son
[5:04:53] revere in the lord the king do
[5:04:54] not meddle with those who are
[5:04:56] given to change for their cal
[5:04:58] amity will rise suddenly and who
[5:05:00] knows the ruin of them both
[5:05:06] these things also for the wise
[5:05:08] it is not good to have
[5:05:11] respective persons in judgment
[5:05:13] he says to the wicked you
[5:05:15] righteous the people will curse
[5:05:17] him nations will abhor him but
[5:05:21] to those who rebuke him will be
[5:05:22] delight and good blessings will
[5:05:24] come upon them, prepare your
[5:05:27] work outside and make ready for
[5:05:31] yourself in the field and
[5:05:33] afterwards build your house do
[5:05:35] not be witness against your
[5:05:38] neighbor without a cause or
[5:05:40] deceive with your lips do not
[5:05:42] say I shall do him as he has
[5:05:44] done for me.
[5:05:48] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[5:05:48] you.
[5:05:49] >>clerk of the board, robin
[5:05:49] stieler: no further speakers.
[5:05:50] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[5:05:55] you madam clerk now coming to
[5:05:59] board comments we start with our
[5:06:02] ceo, do you have any comments to
[5:06:04] make? Not at this time.
[5:06:07] supervisor nguyen?
[5:06:10] >>janet nguyen: thank you
[5:06:13] mr. Chairman I have a few I'm
[5:06:14] sorry I know time is getting
[5:06:17] late I'm going to try to breeze
[5:06:18] through this real quick last
[5:06:20] week I was part of organizing
[5:06:22] and helping a father in
[5:06:25] huntington beach who has been
[5:06:27] diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
[5:06:29] stage four last month one of the
[5:06:31] things that we did was when we
[5:06:33] fond out last friday a week
[5:06:35] before that that he has been
[5:06:40] taken off all treatments we got
[5:06:43] together contacted the school
[5:06:45] district, you know, the city of
[5:06:48] huntington beach, and we put on
[5:06:49] a graduation for his daughter.
[5:06:52] that was one of his wish that he
[5:06:55] gets to see her graduate and
[5:06:59] abby is, you know, it's abby cur
[5:07:02] win, her graduation, it was
[5:07:04] official, she actually did
[5:07:06] qualify to receive her
[5:07:09] graduation diploma, her dad was
[5:07:13] administrator at huntington
[5:07:16] beach union high school district
[5:07:18] a 20 year army veteran also
[5:07:20] coached a lot of youth sports in
[5:07:22] huntington beach baseball,
[5:07:23] football, soccer, basketball was
[5:07:25] also my son's coach as well and
[5:07:27] actually my son and his son have
[5:07:30] known each other since six
[5:07:32] months and you know he always
[5:07:33] made sure every student showed
[5:07:35] up for practice even that meant
[5:07:37] picking them up driving them
[5:07:40] home feeding them or you know
[5:07:41] making sure any roadblocks he
[5:07:44] assisted for over two decades in
[5:07:48] huntington beach I want you to
[5:07:49] know I want to highlight this
[5:07:51] because this is the human side
[5:07:53] of all of us that we forget how
[5:07:55] precious life is also how you
[5:07:58] put together 16 parents
[5:08:00] including myself my husband we
[5:08:02] can pour put something like this
[5:08:07] together but it's not just us
[5:08:08] it's as I mentioned this
[5:08:12] huntington beach school
[5:08:13] district, are the trustees
[5:08:15] principal, city of huntington
[5:08:18] beach police chief, huntington
[5:08:23] beach police association city
[5:08:24] manager we had our council
[5:08:26] members three of them went up
[5:08:28] there and has commit to working
[5:08:30] to put together a ben there to
[5:08:32] be named after him so he can
[5:08:33] always be there to see all the
[5:08:35] kids and families grow up in
[5:08:37] that same part that he's always
[5:08:41] been there, these are the
[5:08:43] kindness of things the last week
[5:08:45] and a half has been overwhelming
[5:08:52] but it's been gratifying to know
[5:08:55] that the community can come
[5:08:56] together like this. I also
[5:08:57] wanted to -- it's not just those
[5:09:02] that I just mentioned, people
[5:09:05] like code four, tons of
[5:09:07] restaurants came in, from claim
[5:09:09] jumper, masala, indian, and
[5:09:16] nepali cuisine, kitchen long
[5:09:22] board you name it they all came
[5:09:24] in and over 400 people showed up
[5:09:26] in a small park wasn't even
[5:09:30] advertised you know we just want
[5:09:32] to tell the crowe family we're
[5:09:35] here for them communities are
[5:09:36] here for them and I want to
[5:09:38] thank everybody for coming
[5:09:40] together.
[5:09:41] then on some county issues, I
[5:09:43] want to say thank you to pam
[5:09:45] from oc parks because that
[5:09:47] weekend we didn't know where to
[5:09:49] host this and we thought about
[5:09:50] the freedom hall, freedom park
[5:09:53] in monte square park is a
[5:09:56] possibility she picked up my
[5:09:57] call saturday morning just to
[5:09:59] try to help us navigate to see
[5:10:02] if it's possible but the family
[5:10:03] wanted him to be near home just
[5:10:06] in case pea needed to get back
[5:10:08] to the house quicker than go all
[5:10:11] the way to fountain valley but I
[5:10:13] want to thank pam for picking up
[5:10:14] my call when my deputy chief
[5:10:16] diane called her saturday
[5:10:18] morning. So, thank you, pam.
[5:10:19] and then just a few things. We
[5:10:25] hosted our community health care
[5:10:26] and social service expo this
[5:10:29] last weekend, wanted to thank oc
[5:10:32] parks, county agencies,
[5:10:34] non-profits, and lots of
[5:10:37] volunteers. The expo had a lot
[5:10:40] of health care services and many
[5:10:43] other agency that were there to
[5:10:45] assist. I want to thank tran
[5:10:49] our ssa director he was there, I
[5:10:52] want to thank cal-optima for
[5:10:54] also being a part of it and
[5:10:56] hosting. We had over know 700
[5:10:59] people attended services include
[5:11:01] medical, dental, vision,
[5:11:03] recorders office was there,
[5:11:06] legal aids, child support you
[5:11:08] name it, ssa assisted over 100
[5:11:11] people on their medi-cal and
[5:11:12] cal-fresh applications over 400
[5:11:14] people food items were provided
[5:11:17] 200 people were able to visit
[5:11:18] the dental clinic and we gave
[5:11:20] marriage license and also one
[5:11:22] dog was also adopted from oc
[5:11:25] animal care as well. Couple
[5:11:27] things we are hosting in our
[5:11:29] district coming up wanted to
[5:11:32] highlight if it any agencies or
[5:11:34] any businesses that would like
[5:11:35] to partner with our non-profit
[5:11:38] please let us know first our pet
[5:11:41] expo will be coming up in the
[5:11:43] district at city of huntington
[5:11:44] beach at central park west on
[5:11:47] april 25th as many of you know
[5:11:48] one of my priorities has been to
[5:11:50] help our animals at the shelter
[5:11:52] and two of our shelters local
[5:11:54] shelter managed by wags pet
[5:11:57] adoption will also be there to
[5:11:58] adopt thyself pets we start
[5:12:00] hosting these expos to bring
[5:12:02] animal awareness and bring the
[5:12:06] animal to the community so this
[5:12:08] will be free adoption city of
[5:12:11] huntington beach will waive the
[5:12:13] cat adoption fee county is
[5:12:16] waiving the dog adoption fee
[5:12:18] there will be vaccination clinic
[5:12:20] affordable services you know
[5:12:21] that would be like $15 for
[5:12:23] rabies shots, no appointments
[5:12:26] necessary we also have $50 off
[5:12:29] coupons for spay and neuter at
[5:12:31] low-cost golden state humane
[5:12:34] society animal hospital as well
[5:12:36] so if you are a pet business who
[5:12:39] would like to participate any
[5:12:41] non-profit county agency please
[5:12:42] let us know and contact my
[5:12:44] office. Next thing we're
[5:12:46] hosting coming up in april is
[5:12:48] our passport event our oc clerk
[5:12:51] recorder hew wynn april 11th
[5:12:59] from 9:00 a.m. To 3:00 p.m. At
[5:13:01] garden grove courtyard center
[5:13:04] we're going to be providing
[5:13:06] assisting folks in the community
[5:13:07] who would like to come out and
[5:13:08] get their passport submit their
[5:13:10] application et cetera please
[5:13:11] reach tout my office. Thank you
[5:13:13] mr. Chairman
[5:13:15] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[5:13:16] you vice chair foley did you
[5:13:17] have a comment?
[5:13:19] >>v. Chair, katrina foley: yeah
[5:13:19] just real quickly, I want to
[5:13:21] give an update we did vote on
[5:13:23] supporting two items that relate
[5:13:27] to the nitrous oxide bills
[5:13:29] pending. The work is gaining
[5:13:31] momentum in sacramento, senator,
[5:13:33] umber has advanced sb 758
[5:13:36] targeting retail sales at smoke
[5:13:39] shops and similar outlets under
[5:13:44] blakespear sb 936 which the
[5:13:47] county cosponsor as well passed
[5:13:50] the committee on march 17th so
[5:13:52] both bills have got own out of
[5:13:54] the committee the bill will
[5:13:56] establish stronger statewide
[5:13:58] standard for restricting
[5:14:02] flavored and directly inhaleable
[5:14:04] nitrous oxide products this
[5:14:06] weekend. The reason why this is
[5:14:08] real you see the picture behind
[5:14:10] me maybe you have put it on the
[5:14:12] screen so this weekend a friend
[5:14:14] of mine stopped by just to pick
[5:14:16] up a soda at the local liquor
[5:14:18] store on his way to the 55
[5:14:20] freeway and to his surprise he
[5:14:22] saw this stack right next to the
[5:14:24] cashier with shelves stocked
[5:14:27] with nitrous oxide for purchase
[5:14:30] this properties a clear issue of
[5:14:33] enforcement and retailers being
[5:14:35] permitted to sell this product
[5:14:36] in open and then literally if
[5:14:40] you walk outside with one of
[5:14:41] these canisters, a police
[5:14:43] officer could arrest you for
[5:14:44] having possession of this
[5:14:52] canister. I know notices have
[5:14:53] gone out to the retailers to let
[5:14:56] them know that this is illegal
[5:14:57] and hopefully we can get some
[5:14:59] traction going on from
[5:15:01] prohibiting this in our
[5:15:02] community because it is a public
[5:15:03] health nuisance. And, so,
[5:15:05] moving on to orange county
[5:15:11] housing finance trust update.
[5:15:16] the trust in the last week and
[5:15:17] we hired a new fund and grant
[5:15:19] raiser to get private money into
[5:15:21] the trust to build workforce
[5:15:23] housing and have more
[5:15:24] flexibility with the dollars in
[5:15:25] the trust. But to give an
[5:15:28] update in 2025, the trust closed
[5:15:30] its first acquisition loan
[5:15:32] secured $3 million from
[5:15:33] congressman korea for mark's way
[5:15:37] project in orange completed ten
[5:15:39] permanent loan conversion closed
[5:15:40] three construction loans and
[5:15:42] celebrated seven grand openings
[5:15:44] across the county. Since 2018
[5:15:45] these efforts have helped create
[5:15:47] 10115 affordable homes and we
[5:15:50] have 1182 units in the pipeline
[5:15:53] so good work happening there.
[5:15:56] orange county housing authority
[5:15:57] also has been hard at work
[5:16:00] moving 475 households into the
[5:16:05] housing choice voucher program,
[5:16:07] and I want to really
[5:16:08] congratulate our team here at
[5:16:10] the county, because the state
[5:16:13] auditor has given us a really
[5:16:18] positive review in terms of how
[5:16:19] we handled our housing choice
[5:16:22] voucher lottery and we got a
[5:16:26] clear no negative findings. We
[5:16:30] -- it showed no deficiencies and
[5:16:33] that what I thought was a really
[5:16:35] incredible number was 97%
[5:16:40] acceptance rate. So, 97% of the
[5:16:42] people who applied for housing
[5:16:44] choice voucher were accepted.
[5:16:46] and 82% of the emergency housing
[5:16:51] voucher recipients have been
[5:16:53] housed. So, good work. Thank
[5:16:54] you to our housing team.
[5:16:57] next up we have some town halls
[5:17:00] coming up. We have -- gosh a
[5:17:03] lot of town halls rancho mission
[5:17:09] viejo town hall will be march
[5:17:10] 26th that's our senior supports
[5:17:12] town hall will be focused on
[5:17:15] senior scams trying to make sure
[5:17:17] the communities knows about some
[5:17:19] red flags to look for so they
[5:17:21] don't get scammed we also have
[5:17:23] our dana point harbor annual
[5:17:27] town hall with our oversight
[5:17:29] committee where we give update
[5:17:31] on revitalization of the harbor
[5:17:34] to answer questions joined by
[5:17:36] our oversight committee members
[5:17:38] as well as dana point harbor
[5:17:40] partners we'll have our e-bike
[5:17:41] safety town hall april 6th that
[5:17:43] will include a free bike helmet
[5:17:46] give away while supplies last
[5:17:49] hopefully you will join us then
[5:17:50] my final update is on our flood
[5:17:53] control improvements I want to
[5:17:54] thank our orange county public
[5:17:57] works staff and flood district
[5:17:59] staff for amazing work they do
[5:18:02] we continue to address the
[5:18:03] public safety issues related to
[5:18:05] people congregating in our flood
[5:18:07] channels or in our parks near
[5:18:09] flood channels so last year we
[5:18:11] launched this new program to
[5:18:12] install security cameras and
[5:18:14] increase patrols and add
[5:18:15] anticlimbing fencing in critical
[5:18:17] areas then oc public works has
[5:18:19] disposed more than 25,000 cubic
[5:18:21] yards of trash from our channels
[5:18:23] what does that mean? Think of
[5:18:27] seven olympic side size swimming
[5:18:34] pools, I don't know if they
[5:18:36] showed the picture but we have
[5:18:38] some before and after pictures
[5:18:39] thank you to public works staff
[5:18:41] for helping us keep things clean
[5:18:43] and safe. That's all I have
[5:18:45] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[5:18:46] you vice chair sarmiento any
[5:18:48] comments?
[5:18:52] >>vincente sarmiento: yes I
[5:18:53] have a few but will compress
[5:18:55] down to one it's actually a
[5:18:57] positive thing I love ending on
[5:18:58] something that's optimistic and
[5:19:00] positive so I want to give a
[5:19:02] huge congratulations to the
[5:19:03] modern day monarchs an
[5:19:05] incredible season there in the
[5:19:08] inaugural cif state soccer
[5:19:11] championships the boy's team
[5:19:13] came out on top with 21 victory
[5:19:15] over alvarez high school and
[5:19:18] right after that the girls team
[5:19:21] captured the d1 title with 2-0
[5:19:26] victory over bishop, this is
[5:19:29] more than just a championship
[5:19:32] it's a proud moment for santa
[5:19:34] ana and orange county modern day
[5:19:36] to host nationally ranked
[5:19:38] football teams basketball teams
[5:19:40] it does generate athletes that
[5:19:43] go into professional sports and
[5:19:47] now soccer will be one of them
[5:19:49] so on the eve of the world cup
[5:19:51] it's really a great moment for
[5:19:53] our community big shout out to
[5:19:55] players families school
[5:19:56] community and of course boys
[5:19:58] soccer and coach sean gaine and
[5:20:01] girls soccer coach maddie west
[5:20:03] their leadership dedication to
[5:20:04] all these student athletes
[5:20:05] really help them achieve
[5:20:07] something historic. I just want
[5:20:09] to give special mention to
[5:20:11] isaiah kovarubias macias. He
[5:20:13] was a young man on the soccer
[5:20:15] team, son of superior court
[5:20:17] judge elizabeth macias and cesar
[5:20:20] kovarubias, director of kennedy
[5:20:23] commission that focuses in
[5:20:25] affordable housing. So great
[5:20:28] family produced an incredible
[5:20:30] athlete but all the modern day
[5:20:32] monarchs and everybody in the
[5:20:34] community that loves soccer here
[5:20:36] in the county but it's a good
[5:20:39] moment for us to shine statewide
[5:20:41] hopefully with these teams will
[5:20:44] go far will compete nationally
[5:20:46] but that's my comment.
[5:20:50] >>chair, doug chaffee: thank
[5:20:51] you. If I may make my own
[5:20:53] comments I want to say thank you
[5:20:56] to the first county park
[5:20:59] department as well as orange
[5:21:00] county employees for helping
[5:21:02] out with our kids fishing derby
[5:21:04] at carbon canyon park last
[5:21:07] saturday march 15th at about 500
[5:21:09] people came out for a wonderful
[5:21:11] day the weather wasn't too bad
[5:21:13] which is good and we're now
[5:21:15] taking applications for our
[5:21:16] summer 2026 future leaders
[5:21:18] program applications are due by
[5:21:20] thursday april 9th and I urge
[5:21:26] people who are interested to get
[5:21:29] the application in, last year we
[5:21:32] were oversubscribed had to turn
[5:21:34] away a few people students who
[5:21:35] participate learned about
[5:21:36] leadership skills explore
[5:21:38] different career opportunities
[5:21:40] learn about county government we
[5:21:41] let them put on a mock board of
[5:21:45] supervisors meeting where each
[5:21:47] of them writes up an item they
[5:21:49] would like it see passed then
[5:21:51] sitting with their colleagues
[5:21:53] who are joining them on that
[5:21:55] board see if they can convince
[5:21:58] them to approve it so that's
[5:22:00] always an exercise we have
[5:22:05] coming up friday april 17th the
[5:22:12] children will be putting on a
[5:22:14] seminar in la harbor city hall
[5:22:16] which is built around an atrium
[5:22:19] as one of the most beautiful
[5:22:21] city halls that I know of shout
[5:22:23] out to la harbor make it
[5:22:26] available to us at no-cost they
[5:22:28] roll out the tables and chairs
[5:22:30] and audio visual no charge clean
[5:22:32] up for us we do provide the food
[5:22:34] so starts at 12:30 p.m. On that
[5:22:37] date then interest is a career
[5:22:40] fair we're going to put on we
[5:22:42] did last year in brea mall for
[5:22:46] far more people than we expected
[5:22:48] turned out because of where it
[5:22:50] was people coming through the
[5:22:51] mall had about 800 people turn
[5:22:54] out, they gave us some national
[5:22:58] publicity county for the career
[5:23:00] fair we did last year again will
[5:23:03] be doing another one tuesday
[5:23:09] april 21, '10 a.m. To 1:00 p.m.
[5:23:10] there will be a lot of employers
[5:23:12] out there you can look for a job
[5:23:15] we'll help you look for some
[5:23:17] online, write a résumé if you
[5:23:20] need that and you will be able
[5:23:22] to interview with a large number
[5:23:23] of employers and go shopping as
[5:23:26] well if you want then the second
[5:23:29] anniversary of the office of
[5:23:31] immigration and refugee affairs
[5:23:33] I had the wrong date it's
[5:23:36] actually april, we celebrating
[5:23:38] the second annual celebration of
[5:23:41] its creation with that I have
[5:23:42] nothing further is there any
[5:23:44] other thing for the good of the
[5:23:45] country? Do we have any?
[5:23:50] seeing no memorials. All right
[5:23:54] in this case I'm going to
[5:23:56] adjourn the meeting our next
[5:23:57] meeting will be right here
[5:24:02] beginning 9:30 a.m. April 14th
[5:24:04] we do our presentation
[5:24:08] recognizing worthy causes as
[5:24:10] nine we do our best to start at
[5:24:13] 9:30 we never quite make it
[5:24:15] seems more like ten that's our
[5:24:17] intent so with that in mind,
[5:24:19] we're adjourned. Thank you all.
[5:24:25] [adjourned]