Arroyo sick with COVID, Madrone starts BOS meeting cheerful and upbeat

 

On May 20, I reported on sustained finding of violation of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct against Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone. That is an item on today's agenda for the Board of Supervisors' meeting. I have added live updates from that discussion in and agenda item. That update includes that at 3:32 there was no censure of Supervisor Madrone.

 

The meeting started with a roll call. The absent chair in the room is because Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo is participating via Zoom because she is home sick with COVID.

There were no modifications to the agenda, no public comment so far. Things seemed to be moving fast which is unusual for a Humboldt BOS meeting . That did not last long; just a few minutes. Mainly because Kent Sawatzky is back. That alone will prolong the meeting by hours.

Supervisor Madrone made no reference to the agenda item and there was no apology at the start of the meeting. He is cheerful and upbeat.

Under consent item, Sawatzky made a remark regarding the caregivers proclamation. "Regarding the IHSS workers, I'd like the Board to put their money where their mouth is." 

For those who read my blog daily and regularly, I was the only one to report recently and ask Supervisor Madrone if he donated the difference in the pay raise to IHSS workers as he claimed. Initially Madrone had said he would not take a pay raise. Let's see if anything else I brought up in that post or anything else I reported surfaces in today's discussion.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/04/was-arroyo-privately-reprimanded-about.html?m=1#more

10:26: First District Supervisor Rex Bohn before his response on the vote for the name change to Lake Benbow Drive, pauses dramatically, then says "I am so confused how everything is so political." 

2:17: First District Supervisor Rex Bohn who is Board Vice-Chair ran this part of the meeting.

Zach O'Hanen Humboldt County HR Director explained the process of what happens when a complaint is received. O'Hanen, CAO Elishia Hayes and County Counsel determined an external investigation was needed. There were multiple allegations, the investigator interpreted and sustained a finding for one. That pertained to Section (b) 9 which is a Board member stating their opinion.

Supervisor Madrone read a brief statement basically saying he failed to state that this was his individual opinion; not the opinion of the Board and in future he will make that clarification. "I apologize for any offense I created."

Trinidad Rancheria had the opportunity to speak after O'Hanen and before Supervisor Madrone. Starting with the first speaker for public comment who was the Vice-Chair of the Trinidad Rancheria   to 2:31, it is still representatives and presently the CEO of Trinidad Rancheria Jacque Hostler-Carmesin is speaking. She brought up former Fifth District Supervisor Ryan Sundberg. Every speaker so far mentioned the delay in the response from the Board of Supervisors and said the Board refused a government to government meeting. Resighini Rancheria was there to support the Trinidad Rancheria. "The disparaging remarks caused trauma to an already traumatized people." An invitation was extended to all Supervisors but specifically Supervisor Madrone to visit Resighini Rancheria. Kent Sawatzky had a point. Every Supervisor should disclose any conflict and without naming people he said not everyone does it. The last speaker defended Madrone and said he was not racist. Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson said he disagreed with the investigator's interpretation. 

Rex brought up going to school with Garth Sundberg, said Ryan Sundbrrg is one of his best friends "to this day". Rex said he has been in the position where his apology has been referred to as insincere. Without mentioning his buddy Alan Bongio, Rex referred that we have been here other times. Rex said he cannot vote to censure because "it means diddly." Rex further commented, "People make a big deal when we make mistakes. I guess we have to make less mistakes."

Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell said she is also not in favor of censure. Both these Supervisors voted to censure former Auditor Controller Karen Paz Dominguez. Rex did not think it meant "diddly" then.

3:24 p.m. Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo is not for censure.  At 3:32 p.m. with Supervisor Madrone abstaining, 4 votes for no censure.

Watch the video for yourself. I am not posting a transcript and each person should listen to the words and tone themselves.

Previous post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/05/sustained-finding-of-violation-of-board.html?m=1