I recently received confirmation from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) that the Enforcement Division rejected the anonymous complaint that was filed against me alleging conflict of interest violations in the matter over the proposed Navigation Center. The FPPC further stated they "will not pursue this matter further".
It is troubling that anonymous and baseless allegations can be used as a political weapon to discredit someone's character and to stop board action. At the end of the day, truth prevailed, and I remain grateful that this matter is closed.
Link to FPPC response
 WE FINALLY DID IT! For the last 10 years, I have been working to tackle our growing challenge with homelessness, and after stops and starts and years of foundational effort by the community, county staff and the BOS, a temporary Navigation Center and Emergency Shelter was finally approved on September 20. It will start out at the old juvenile hall site. Currently CalFire is leasing the space, and their contract will terminate on December 15, 2022. We will then get to work transitioning it for the Nav Center. In the meantime, Volunteers of America will begin their recruitment for staff, and we expect to have the center operational in January 2023.
The actual BOS item was much more comprehensive. While we expect the Center to operate at this site for 12-18 months, we will proceed with architectural plans for a permanent shelter to be housed across the street on the county campus (the old Sheriff headquarters site). We will move our current Psychiatric Health Facility (the PHF unit) to the old Juvenile Hall once the permanent Nav Center is built; the Family Court below will move to Building C; a Crisis Residential Facility will go where the Court used to be and a plan for security at county facilities will be implemented in conjunction with this plan. Phew!
I would like to thank Supervisor Parlin for working with me to bring this action forward, my fellow board members for their commitment to this cause, our county staff for their patience and tenacious work ethic to follow our direction, and to the faith and non-profit community (including Marshall Hospital and law enforcement) for bearing the load all these years to fill in the gaps of service.
At the end of the day, I believe this action is much better than the temporary Sprung Structure at Perks Court and I remain grateful that we were able to come together to make significant progress in addressing homelessness on the West Slope of El Dorado County.
Here's the Board Item for complete information.
 On September 20, the BOS approved Draft Preferred Concept B and directed that additional concerns be explored in the EIR including potential soil contaminants, circulation routes, Options B and C in the EIR Alternatives and lighting timeline restrictions.
This exciting project is a true community collaboration, and our consultants (Dudek and Roach & Campbell) and our Parks Manager, Vickie Sanders, continue to do a wonderful job engaging the community, listening to all inputs and finding common ground. I believe this plan finds the balance between being a neighborhood asset and a county facility that addresses unmet recreational needs (especially ball fields and soccer fields).
I also love the robust partnership between the Boys and Girls Club, the Marshall Foundation for Community Health, the Motherlode Union School District, the El Dorado High School District and the anonymous donor that made this all possible. This park is true community in action!
Click here for full presentation
 At the recommendation of both the Ag Commission and CEDAC (Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee), the BOS approved the concept of a pilot program to study the effects of hemp on agriculture as well as its potential economic benefits and directed staff to bring back a Resolution of Intention to draft the Ordinance.
The BOS had a vigorous dialog about the subject. Concerns were raised about the conflation with hemp and cannabis while it was noted that hemp became a federally legal crop under the 2018 Farm Bill and it is protected under the Right to Farm. The pilot program will be authorized for 2 years and there will be 5 licenses available in El Dorado County. After the pilot program, the BOS will decide how to move forward after understanding the results of the program.
|
