This column was written and contributed by San Benito County Supervisor Mark Medina. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors.
On Feb. 5, the San Benito County Board Of Supervisors met in open session.
The board appointed the following to the Long Term Care Commission: Mitchell Matthews, Pauline Valdivia, Patsy Pence, Creighton Mevdivil, John Beleutz, David Reikowski, Clay Kempf and Rumi Saikia for the period of January 2019 to January 2023. We also appointed Patrick Fancher to the Fish & Game Advisory Commission as a District #4 representative effective Feb. 5, along with appointing Emanuel Gonzalez to the Behavioral Health Board for the Term of Feb. 5, 2019 to Feb. 5, 2022, and Nelda Escamilla to the Parks & Recreation Commission as a District #5 representative for the period of Feb. 5, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2020. I would like to thank everyone who volunteers for all these commissions and if there is anyone out there that has an interest in volunteering, please feel free to e-mail me at medinadistrict1@gmail.com.
We had a young lady by the name of Samantha Slykas provide us with a presentation about bullying and safety awareness for all ages. On March 2 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Veteran’s Hall (649 San Benito Street), she will be holding a workshop open to anyone. If you have any questions please call (831) 637-2303.
On the consent agenda, staff recommended a $35,000 allocation to the Economic Development Corporation, but this item was pulled and we discussed the possibility to increase this funding. We will bring this back to the board on Feb. 19. Personally I would like to see our funding allocation much higher than $35,000.
In December 2017 we allocated $120,000 for a lobbyist and we did not renew her contract, therefore I feel allocating additional funding to the EDC would help bring businesses into our community. We must increase the middle- to high-paying jobs in our community, which in turn will keep our residents from commuting out of town. We also will need to work together with the City of Hollister in order to ensure we support and provide guidance to the EDC. Prior to any commitment to the EDC we must have a strategic plan to ensure we are receiving a return on our EDC investment.
During public hearing, we discussed:
- The schedule of proposed fees and fee deposits related to the cannabis business regulatory program as authorized by Ordinance No. 974, specifically with regard to the cannabis business permit application.
- Consider adoption of a resolution setting forth a new Cannabis Business Permit Application Fee, Zoning Verification Fee, Background Check Fee, Appeal Fee, and the applicable fee deposits for the San Benito County Cannabis Business Regulatory Program.
- Consider adoption of a resolution designating the Agricultural Commissioner to serve as the County Administrative Officer’s designee, who shall be authorized to build and manage the Cannabis Business Regulatory Program, including, but not limited to, preparing the necessary forms, promulgating any necessary rules, regulations, and standards governing application requirements and processes, soliciting applications, conducting evaluations of the cannabis business applicants, as well as, the cannabis employee-applicants, and otherwise implementing the Cannabis Business Permit and Cannabis Employee Work Permit processes and requirements.
I have provided a link which will explain this in detail:
https://sanbenito.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=3759&MeetingID=289
The Board of Supervisors will be meeting on Feb. 14 and 15 for a special board meeting/retreat. The location of this meeting is 2301 Technology Parkway, second floor from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will also have our regular board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 9 a.m. located at our chambers at 481 Fourth Street.
In closing, as the chair of the board I will make myself available to anyone and my commitment is to represent all residents. I am available by e-mail at medinadistrict1@gmail.com, and text or phone at (831) 801-4784. Thank you for allowing me to represent San Benito County.