Hi.
Well, good afternoon, everybody. It's now 4 p .m., and we'll go ahead and reconvene our Board of Supervisors meetings into open session.
Clerk,
would you please take the role?
Supervisor Abacoga? Here. Supervisor Young? Here. Supervisor Ellenberg? I'm here.
Vice
President Arenas is absent, and President Lee?
Good afternoon, President, as well.
Thank
you. You have a quorum.
Thank
you. Supervisor Abacoga, would you like to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?
Thank
you. Yes. If you are able, please join me in standing.
Ready,
begin.
I
pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.
Thank you.
Okay,
the first item is actually item number seven. It's approval of the items we will be presenting. Can I have a motion to approve so we can move on to the ceremonial presentation?
So
moved. Second.
Moved
and seconded. All right, let's go take the vote.
Supervisor Abacoga?
Aye.
Supervisor Young?
Yes.
Supervisor Ellenberg? Yes.
Vice
President Arenas is absent, and President Lee?
Aye, as well.
Thank
you. Motion carries.
All
right, thank you. So this will now take us to the first presentation of today's agenda, which is item 8A, declaring March 31, 2021. As the Transgender Day of Visibility in Santa Clara County.
And before I begin, I would like to go ahead and invite Kalani Lewis, Eroxi Cisneros, and our partners from the Gartner Health Services and the County's Office of LGBTQ Affairs to please join me up here on the dais, up here in the podium area. And thank you for being here and for the work that you do.
Coming
up.
That's
fine.
Right?
That's fine. Come
this way. Yeah, so we can see you.
Welcome.
Greeting, everybody. Come on in. Thank you.
Perfect. All
right. So today we are recognizing the Transgender Day of Visibility here in Santa Clara County.
While
the resolution highlights the history and significance of this day, I want to also take a moment to focus on the people and partnerships that make our community stronger every day. Santa Clara County is home to a diverse and vibrant community. And that strength comes from ensuring that everyone, regardless of who they are and how they identify, feels respected, supported, and be able to live authentically. Visibility is powerful because it helps build understanding, compassion, and connection among our neighbors.
I
also want to acknowledge the advocates, community leaders, and organizations who work every day to support us. I also want to acknowledge the advocates, community leaders, and organizations who work every day to support transgenders and gender -diverse residents, whether through providing health services,
creating the safe
spaces, offering resources, or simply showing up for one another.
Their
work makes a real difference in people's lives.
As
our county, we are proud to partner with organizations like Garner Health Services and our Office of LGBTQ Affairs to continue advancing equity and inclusion. Your leadership is important. Your leadership and dedication help ensure that our community remains welcoming and supportive for everyone. So thank you again for all of you who are here today and to those who continue this important work across our county. And with that, I'd like to invite Kalani Lewis to share a few words, if you would like, please.
Thank you, President and members of the board, for honoring Transgender Day of Visibility. T -Dove is not just about being seen. It is a powerful declaration that transgender and gender -diverse people are here, we belong, and our lives matter. I must be honest. Since its inception in 2019, the Gender Health Center has never been fully staffed, fully resourced, or fully prioritized within our health system. Today, our very existence of transgender health care is under relentless attack across the nation. We are forced to operate at a limited capacity while serving a community burdened by staggering health disparities. We do this with passion and resilience, but we need more support and resources to truly fulfill our mission
as the demand for our services intensifies. At the Gender Health Center, every day we witness the profound impact of gender -referencing. Investing in such care is fundamentally an investment in health equity, mental health, and the dignity of every member of our community. We gratefully accept this recognition in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, not just as a symbol, but as a call to action. Together, let us continue to work tirelessly to keep our community visible, empowered, and celebrated. Our future depends on it. Thank you.
On that note, I just have a couple of things to say. say about the Transgender Day, this is something that's very unusual in this country right now because there's this attack on our transgender neighbors in the country. And first I do also want to recognize our San Jose State University president right here, Cynthia, and Dr. Cynthia being here for fighting the good fight for our transgender students and faculty members and this is such important work. And
on that note, I also want to mention, we haven't said earlier that our country now is at war in Iran and we already have seven members of our armed services that has served us has already perished that we are know of right now as of today. And at the same time this administration is also trying to get transgender members of our military to be kicked out of the military, which is affecting our combat readiness, which is completely not only unfair but really is unconstitutional. I just want to say that thank you for all of us here who is working so hard to make this happen. Thank you.
The second proclamation
we have is declaring March 26 at the Social Work Month. A time to honor the dedication, compassion, and impact of social workers across Santa Clara County. Your work touches our lives every day helping our families, seniors, veterans, and children overcome challenges, access vital services, and thrive. So now I would like to invite Carla Baysing, from the U .S. Department of Internal Affairs, to go ahead and introduce her. Lisa of Deps, Cynthia Estrada, VSO, Amanda Musaraca, VSO as well, Louise Shields from DAS, Golda Foley, and also Yvette Cruz Ramirez from DFCS, Erica Kemp, and Patricia Avila from DFCS will join me right here on the dial. Come on up. Welcome.
Okay. Look at that. Yes. All right. This past year, our social services agency has achieved remarkable milestones. The Veterans Services Office, VSO, has served nearly 10 ,900 veterans and helped them secure over $27 .5 million in compensation,
including
supporting 1 ,758 veterans at the 2025 Veterans Stand Down. The Intern and Earn Program was recognized statewide for connecting youth in foster care and CalWORKs to pay. Internships, breaking the cycles of poverty. Throughout aging and adult services, over 17 ,000 older adults receive meals.
36
,426 received home -based care from a caregiver of their choice. DFCS has opened a hub on Parkmore Avenue for foster youth and with community partners,
reached
21 ,000 families with education and resources on child safety. The Office of Children and Families Policy, VSO, has opened a new hub on Parkmore Avenue for foster youth and with community partners, reached 21 ,000 families with education and resources on child safety. expanded childcare by 699
spaces
and launched a collaborative to support vulnerable youth in high -priority schools. These accomplishments reflect the dedication, innovation and compassion of social workers across all our programs.
Your
work strengthens families, improves lives and makes our communities safer and stronger. It will now therefore be resolved, reading the resolution,
our
Board of Supervisors of County Santa Clara, hereby proclaim the month of March 2026 as the Social Worker Month
in
Santa Clara County.
And
at this time, I would like to invite Luis Shields and Yvette Cruz Ramirez to share a few words.
Come
on up.
LUIS
SHIELDS Good afternoon, everyone.
Today
we pause to recognize something that often goes unseen,
the
quiet courage of social workers.
Every
day, social workers step into the most vulnerable moments of people's lives. We walk beside families facing hardships. Children searching for safety and individuals trying to find hope again.
We
listen when others feel unheard,
advocate
when voices are silenced and stand strong when systems feel overwhelming.
Social
workers do not simply offer services.
We
offer dignity, compassion and believe in the worth of every human being.
The
impact of the work that we do cannot always be measured in numbers or reports. Sometimes it's a child who feels safe for the first time. A family that finds stability
or
a person who begins to believe in themselves again.
During
Social Work Appreciation Month, may we celebrate the hearts behind this work, the resilience, the empathy and the unwavering commitment to justice and humanity.
To
all of my social worker colleagues, thank you for showing up, for speaking up and for lifting others up.
Our
work changes lives in ways the world may never fully see. But the lives we touch will never forget.
Today
and every day, we honor the value of social work.
Not
all heroes wear capes.
Happy
Social Work Appreciation
Month.
Good afternoon. My name is Louise Shields and I am a deputy. I'm deeply honored to receive this proclamation from the Board of Supervisors.
It
is a privilege to serve the community, supported by a board that truly understands how social work transforms lives.
My
passion for this work. is personal. As an adult adoptee and former adoption social worker,
I
have seen firsthand the profound impact of connecting children with their forever homes. Today I carry that same dedication into my current work as a deputy conservator at the Public Guardian's office. I am proud to work alongside my fellow colleagues and a management team at the Public Guardian's office. I am also proud to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Health Services to improve the lives of our most vulnerable population, our seniors and our elderly. Thank you for recognizing the vital work we all do. In closing, I want to add that this honor belongs to all of us. With sincere gratitude.
In
case you
wonder why I'm wearing a pink tie today, it's because we are going to give the next proclamation declaring March 26th as a Women's History Month. month in Santa Clara County, inviting our Vice President, Arenas, and Supervisor, Obie Koga. Please come up.
Actually, I'm going to ask all of my colleagues to come and
share this
moment with us as it is fit. We have a super majority of women on our board, and of course an amazing ally in our president, so they would come and join us. Before I begin my comments, I also would like to invite our President, Cynthia Tenente, to join us, and I will ask her to share some thoughts with us after we finish. Always
leading with San Jose State colors. I love it. Love it. So, good afternoon, everyone. I'm Sylvia Arenas, representing District 1. Today, we are gathered to recognize and celebrate Women's History Month, and this is for all of the women who identify either as women, born, women, have chosen, have decided to identify any which way. We are very inclusive and welcome all of you. A time when we honor women whose leadership, resilience, and vision has shaped our history and continue to guide our future. Here in Santa Clara County, that legacy runs deep. For generations, you have seen us stand in the forefront of movements for justice, equity, and opportunity. And we have celebrated the early suffrage and
those leaders who represent the organized movement in the valleys. Women like Sarah Massey Overton, Sarah Knox Goodrich, and Elizabeth Lowe Watson. To the countless educators, caregivers, innovators, and advocates who strengthen our communities every single day, this county has led, has long been home to women who lead with courage, and purpose. And this year's theme for Women's History Month is, Leading the Change, Women Shaping a Sustainable Future. Which celebrates the contributions of women who are leading sustainability efforts across environmental, economic, educational, and social justice movements. And I've got to say that this weekend we we really took that to heart and celebrated our own for the very first time at Evergreen College. Thank you. our own
women's conference, which was really just amazing. We recognized astounding and admirable women leaders. We celebrated how far we've come and really recommitted to collectively to continue to break that glass ceiling. But let me just go back a little bit to talking about how we want to really uplift and recognize this month. We talk about some of the people in the past. We should also talk about the people in the present. And this is why our presidenta, I always call you presidenta, is so important to involve in today's conversation. But not only her as a community leader, an educational leader, who I will talk about in just a minute, but the women behind me are also
leaders in their own respective districts and communities. And I have just a great, significant admiration for each and every one of them. But before they speak with you, I just want to tell you a little bit about our president, our presidenta of San Jose State, Cynthia Teniente -Matson. You heard about her efforts. And this is Dr. Cynthia Teniente -Matson. She comes from San Antonio, from the great state of Texas, and she's first generation. She's a first generation college graduate and dedicated her career to ensuring that students, especially those from historically underserved communities have the support, resources, and opportunities they need to excel. And she understands that at a very, very true level. She is the
first Latina, and the fourth woman to serve as San Jose State president in the school's 169 years. Let's give a big round of applause for her.
She brings to our audience, Dr. Cynthia Teniente -Matson. area, 30 years of experience expanding access, strengthening student success and building inclusive learning environments. And for that, I'm just absolutely grateful and excited. She's continued to elevate the university's role as a regional anchor, strengthening our partnerships, expanding academic pathways and advancing the vision of higher education that's accessible, innovative and deeply connected to our community. And so for her leadership, her leadership truly embodies the very spirit of Women's History Month, which is bold, inclusive and committed to opening doors for others. And I am absolutely excited to hear from you and to provide this commendation to you as we honor March, Women's History Month. And before I give
this to you, I'd love to just have you say a couple of words after my colleagues share their thoughts. Super.
We're going by Dias order of seats.
We were going by oldest, which would put me up here anyway. The Center for American Women in Politics out of Rutgers, New Jersey, has found that over and over again, when women serve in significant numbers on elected bodies, the policies of those bodies increasingly serve the interests of justice. Family, family forward policies, safety, equity, social determinants of health and the true things that we know build strong, safe and healthy communities. It is an unbelievable blessing to serve with a supermajority of women and a COO who is a woman. And I, I strive every day to be part of that legacy of women. We are seeing women governing in numbers. We are seeing women leading countries
in ways that put families first and forward. We should have more of them. And perhaps in this country as well.
Women do such extraordinary things every single day. So much so that we have to be celebrated in this way. And yet, we also are, will continue to experience, we will continue to experience, we will continue to experience a dramatic pay gap, and even greater for women of color than for Caucasian women. Childcare continues to not be centered in our policies, which means that women disproportionately are barred from entering and elevating in the workforce. And we continue to normalize harassment and assault, whether it is in the workplace, on the street, or in our communities. None of these things are tolerable. And while it is lovely to celebrate Women's History Month, we absolutely should be striving to
be in a place where it is simply not necessary to call us out because we are not an out group. We are the leaders. Thank you.
Happy Women's History Month. And I want to also just dovetail Supervisor Ellenberg's comments that, that yes, in every facet of life and well -being, when there is more women, when there are more individuals identifying as women, as sisters, mothers, as allies, we just have a better world. And I also see our law enforcement here today, our Sheriff's Office, who kicked off Women's History Month with a celebration of their own and really continuing their commitment to the 30 by 30 initiative, that by 2030, 30 % of all law enforcement staff will be women represented, because studies have shown time and time again that women in law enforcement have better outcomes. No knock against the dudes. Thank
you for being
allies.
Well, it
is an honor to stand here in what many proudly call the feminist capital of the world, alongside a woman supermajority on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors with our ally, Otto.
I'm especially proud to represent District 2. It is the downtown and east side San Jose District, a district shaped by incredible women trailblazers who came before me. Blanca Alvarado, Zoe Lofgren, Cindy Chavez, President Cynthia Teniente -Matson, and other women leaders who paved the way for so many of us and also for myself. Our work is not just about opening doors, it's about breaking down those doors so that more women and girls can lead, thrive, and shape the future of our communities and that of their own destinies. As we're reminded every day, the challenges facing girls today are complex and interconnected. When we listen to girls and women and center their voices, we strengthen the future
of every community. Thank you for standing in solidarity with us here in Santa Clara County. Let the fight continue until the fight is no longer. Thank you. Good afternoon
everyone. I'm Margaret Abacoga, County Supervisor for District 5. It's just a real honor to be here to be able to serve with the supermajority of women on our Board of Supervisors and our girl dad, Otto Lee, great ally.
As
we celebrate this month and look at all of the accomplishments we've achieved,
it's
also time for us to reflect on the women giants. I'm Margaret Abacoga, City Manager of San Jose's City Council, and I'm joined by parents who served before us. And one remarkable woman was Janet Gray Hayes, Santa's first female mayor. And the first woman in the entire country to lead a city of more than a half a million people.
More
than fifty years ago, she was the first and only woman on the San Jose City Council.
And
after being blocked on votes, she made sure that she wasn't the only woman and worked to get other women elected and eventually, they had a majority of seven women. By the time she took the Mayor's office in 1970, she was already a member of her ownным she declared San Jose the feminist capital of the world and within just a few years women held the majority on not just the City Council in San Jose but on this board in the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
and
in these chambers we recognize their names Susan Suzanne Wilson of District one Susie Wilson so Lofgren of District two and Diane McKenna of District five
as
the District five representative I'm very grateful and honored to serve this district that has had actually the most women in the seat of five of them and so as we celebrate the leaders like Janet Gray Hayes and those that open the doors for so many of us we also like to to recognize the women who are currently doing the great work and so our office will be hosting our second annual District five women's history month luncheon where we will honor five extraordinary women who have served in the history of the state of San Jose and the community and I'm so grateful for the four of them to be able to join us today if you
could please stand and be recognized dr. Carol Somerset's Hill of the El Camino Health Care District Kathleen
King former mayor and County Board of Education trustee mayor of Saratoga Laura
Blakely formerly of the Mountain View Wisman School District trustee
and
Maureen Heath champion of so many social justice causes from Los
Gatos
all five of these women embody the spirit of the five supervisors of District five and it's my honor to recognize them today
thank
you for celebrating women's history month with us
thank
you so much
and
without any further delay we have the president that acts
well
it is an honor to be here to celebrate women's history month
Thank
You super writers Supervisor Adanos for the invitation and thank you of course to all of the amazing leaders that are behind here with me. Supervisor Young, Supervisor Ellenberg, Supervisor Abagoba, thank you for your leadership in a women majority driven board.
Thank
you so much.
In
many ways women's history is also San Jose State's history.
This
same is true for the future which I'll get to shortly
but
first a walk back in time
San
Jose State began as a school for women in 1857 and in those early years we trained teachers to educate the pioneering people of a young state California.
That
is where our impact began during a time when imagination and possibilities were as vast as the West itself.
In
1921 just a year after the ratification of the 19th amendment the campus became the state Teachers College at San Jose.
This
continued a series of changes that would lead to SJSU becoming the first campus in the country's largest
university
system, the California State University, or as I like to call it, California's first startup.
Of course, we no longer limit enrollment to women, but I'm proud that we remain a university that provides incredible opportunities to women, and we're working very hard to expand those possibilities even further. The deans of five out of our eight colleges identify as women, including engineering and business. 44 % of our undergraduates are first -generation college students. And as we count and look at our alumnus, 31 -time LPGA tour winner Julie Inkster, National Book Award finalist Amy Tan, and primate scientist and conservationist Dion Fossey. But we all know that gaps still persist. According to the World Bank, women hold just 35 % of tech jobs in the United States, and at the end of 2023,
despite being nearly half of the workforce. And the TIAA Foundation reports that women make up 6 % of the CEOs at Fortune 500 companies, and women of color represent 1 % of the workforce. And the World Bank reports that women have 7 % of the jobs at Fortune 500. And this means that women are celebrating the 60 % of those 6%. I mentioned the future earlier because San Jose State is in the future business. Make no mistake—we have a front -row seat to the generations that will go on and make a mark on the world around them. It's such an exciting and, I think, scary time to be a student. I often say that our
university and our region are at the epicenter of the future. We are at the center of where innovation, discovery, and creativity are shaping what's next. So be next, whether that's in the technology, business, health, arts, humanities, education, all abroad the curriculum. The students here today will live and lead their lives very differently than those like me who came before. As the world is changing rapidly, we're only beginning to understand the tools that will be used to shape the world in the years ahead. We're surrounded by the world's most dynamic companies and entrepreneurs, and our Spartans don't just participate in Silicon Valley's story, they shape it. The way we think about it is that San Jose
State doesn't just have the edge, we are the edge. The Spartan edge is why I'm very optimistic about the societal progress we can achieve in training the next generation of professionals and leaders and to erase those gaps that I mentioned, because irrespective of gender, when those professionals come from public institutes, that serve all communities, we know that the work that they produce will support, not hinder human progress. Thank you again for the opportunity to be here and for recognizing San Jose State's role and myself in providing opportunities for women in
our communities.
Thank you again to supervisors and thank you. Happy Women's History Month.
Okay, next item on the agenda, we have a commendation for the Bay Area Host Committee for the tremendous work bringing electrifying energy to San Jose State. Beloved artists and free, accessible Super Bowl festivities throughout Santa Clara County. Supervisor Arby Koga.
Thank you, President Lee, and hello again, everyone. It's hard to believe it's already been ten years since Levi's Stadium hosted its first Super Bowl, and just a month ago, we had the second Super Bowl, or as I call it, the Bad Bunny concert with a football game on the side.
And the celebrating isn't done, as we have FIFA, the soccer World Cup coming this summer. The team responsible for bringing so much excitement to our residents is here with us today, the Bay Area Host Committee. We are joined by Ruth Shikata, Vice President of Government External Affairs, who is here to accept this commendation on behalf of the Host Committee. This commendation recognizes the committee for its exceptional efforts in creating community -centered Super Bowl activities that allowed all of Santa Clara County residents to experience the pride and energy of the event. I personally had the chance to join some of the festivities, including the Super Bowl Opening Night Fan Fest at the San Jose Convention Center
with my husband, who was so excited to be there. We had a great time meeting some of the Seahawks players, as well as the Patriots. I was supporting the Patriots. I went to school and college in the Boston area. And then seeing the pieces of Super Bowl history up close. None of this happens without strong partnership. The county, the City of San Jose, the City of Santa Clara, BTA, Caltrain, and so many others worked behind the scenes to ensure residents and visitors had the best, smoothest experience possible. I've heard from so many people since the Super Bowl how much the community truly enjoyed it, and it was really for everyone. Long -time sports fans did
it all and soaked in the atmosphere. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, taking photos, and making memories. They'll all talk about forever. This was not an event limited to ticket holders inside Levi's Stadium. It really was for everyone, and the feeling that unmistakable buzz that comes when a major star -studded sporting event permeated throughout our community. Thank you to Ruth and everyone at the host committee for being so thoughtful about making the Super Bowl more than a game. You made it a shared experience that strengthened Santa Clara County's reputation as a wonderful place to visit, enjoy, and live, I'd say, the best place for all of that. So, Ruth, I'd like to invite you to
say a few words. Thank you. Thank
you, Supervisor. On behalf of the Bay Area's host committee, we very much appreciate our really humbled by the recognition, and I have to say that it's appropriate today as we honor Women's History Month that for our organization, we are a predominantly women -run organization. Our entire C -suite is run by women. And Dr. Mattson is on our advisory board as well. So it just feels so nice to be here, and thank you so much. Our vision at the host committee is to unite the Bay Area through sport. We couldn't be more proud of what was accomplished during Super Bowl. The region came together in a way that we've never seen before. Public safety, transit, all
levels of government partnered together to deliver what was, by all accounts, hugely successful and a safe Super Bowl game and Super Bowl week. Numerous cities in five different counties were activated, from community impact events in East Palo Alto to opening night in San Jose, Super Bowl experience in San Francisco, and the first -ever official NFL watch party held in Oakland, as well as the game, of course, in Santa Clara. The entire Bay Area welcomed the world, and we shined brightly. While we don't have the results of our economic impact report yet, Super Bowl 60, generally, is the most important game in the history of Super Bowl history, and it has generated meaningful economic and community
benefits. Major events bring attention, but what really matters is what they leave behind. Investment in schools, revenue for local businesses, increased tax dollars for services, and community pride. We want to thank the Board of Supervisors, and especially we want to thank the Santa Clara County staff, especially the Office of Emergency Management, Sheriff's Department, and all the first responders and businesses who made Super Bowl possible. There's no rest for the weary. We're planning again, and on to World Cup in June. Thank you very much.
And now, it is my honor to recognize someone whose personal journey has evolved into decades of service to the health and well -being of our community, Carol Baker. Carol, I would love for you to come join me.
I love it. She brings an entourage. You are all welcome.
Hi,
Carol. Hi, Carol. Hi, Carol. Thank you. Like many of her peers, Carol became a smoker while a young teenager.
They're still coming.
It's totally fine. I'll just wait, though.
Like
many of her peers, Carol became a smoker while a young teenager. Addiction slowly replaced the cool factor, and it would be decades before she broke that addiction. But from that moment forward, Carol made a commitment not only to remain tobacco -free. But to help others break free from addiction, as well. And that decision launched more than three decades of advocacy. For 32 years, Carol has been a dedicated member of the Tobacco Free Coalition of Santa Clara County, an organization that works closely with our public health department to reduce the harms of tobacco use across our community. Carol served for 20 years as the Coalition's co -chair. You probably knew that. Where she led meetings, shaped
agendas, and served as one of the Coalition's most powerful and consistent voices for public health and a tobacco -free community. Carol's advocacy helped move forward policies that many of us now take for granted, including those that protect residents from secondhand smoke in multi -housing units, bars, restaurants, public events, parks, and other shared public spaces. Thank you. The work has not always been easy. In 1996, when the City of Santa Clara was considering a policy to make bars smoke -free, Carol testified in support of the measure. The opposition was so intense that she and other advocates had to be escorted to their cars by police due to threats and harassment. But Carol was not discouraged.
She
has said that if anything, moments like that strengthen her resolve.
She's
also been a leading voice in efforts to restrict flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes. Her advocacy has helped communities understand how these products target young people,
and
with regard to menthol products specifically, how the black and African ancestry community has been targeted to create lifelong expensive addictions that line the pockets of tobacco companies and left smokers with emphysema, asthma, cancers, and in many cases, death.
During
the vaping trend of the latest tobacco industry, the city of Santa Clara has been a key focus of the In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Carol again stepped forward, advocating for policies that would protect future generations from becoming dependent on nicotine, now delivered through high -tech -looking electronic products and flavored like bubble gum. Beyond the tobacco -free coalition, Carol has also served as a legislative ambassador with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, where she leads advocacy efforts in California's San Francisco area. In this role, she advocates directly to lawmakers and builds teams by recruiting, mentoring, and empowering other ambassadors, encouraging them to testify, write letters, meet with legislators, and bring more voices into
the movement for public health. Her leadership is defined not only by persistence, but by compassion and collaboration. Carol understands that meaningful policy change takes a collective will, and she makes sure that every advocate around her feels valued and empowered. Carol's work reminds us that one person's decision to stand up and speak out can truly transform
a
community. Carol, thank you for your leadership, for your unwavering commitment to the health of Santa Clara County. It is a deep honor to recognize you today. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you
very much. Thank you so much for coming all the way here.
I am so honored to be receiving this award, and also to be standing here with this group of people behind me. They're not each going to speak, I promise you that. But I wanted them here because they represent the tobacco -free coalition, and we have members from the American Cancer Society and Breathe California, and the board of supervisors has done so much to make strong ordinances. and that the cities then follow them, we hope. We try to encourage them to follow them. And I'm just very, very proud of what this group has done. I want to thank you all for everything you've done.
When we started the Tobacco -Free Coalition under the aegis of the Public Health Department,
the smoking rate in Santa Clara County was over 27%. And to this day, it is now less than 7%. And so thank you,
folks.
Okay, that's the mic dropper. I would invite everyone, including all of you, we'll just turn around for the photo. If
Carol...
I'm telling you.
Next, we have our County Executive presenting accommodations for various retirees after the many decades of services. Go ahead, James. We're
going to have Julie Hughes come on up.
So today, we honor Julie Hughes for 30 years of dedicated public service to the County of Santa Clara. Julie has served in the Tax Collector's Office, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and Clerk Recorder's Office. More than half of her career has involved smoking. She has served in the Tax Collector's Office as a vital records expert, working directly with the public in the Vitals and Marriage Division of the Clerk Recorder's Office. Julie shared her passion for vital records throughout the state with her roles as coordinator and trainer with the California Association of Clerks and Elected Officials on the topics of vital records issuance and customer service. Beyond technical skills, Julie stood out as a trusted
liaison to the public. She consistently delivered clear, accurate, and accurate information and was widely praised by others for figuring out ways we could better deliver our services to those most in need of them. Her deep expertise and attention to detail greatly assisted the initiation and implementation of many of our community engagement and outreach initiatives, including our partnerships with court service pop -up events and the Secretary of State's Apostle event. Outside of work, Julie is a football and hockey enthusiast, proudly holding San Jose Sharks season tickets. She enjoys the love and support of her husband of nearly 27 years, Chris Hughes, her daughters, Danielle and Veronica, her father, James Molinari, and the rest of her close
-knit squad.
Julie exemplifies the county's core values of integrity, respect,
community,
and quality service. Thank you for your decades of service, your professionalism, and your dedication to, to the clients we serve, and for the heart with which you brought to your work. Congratulations.
Thank you.
You're welcome to come
on up. You're going to come forward. You might be more than come to us. You're
going to split it. Okay, let's go. Let's go. Thank you so much.
Yay.
Congratulations.
Congratulations.
Thank
you. Yay!
Michelle Sandoval, come on up. Thank
you. Michelle Sandoval is retiring from the county, having dedicated her talent, creativity, and positivity for over 31 years, starting in 1994 in the County Clerk Recorder's Office, transitioning to the Sheriff's Office as a Senior Management Analyst in October 2007, then promoting to Program Manager 2 and then Program Manager 3 with the Office of the County Executive's Office of Emergency Management. Since 2014, Michelle served as OEM's Grants Manager, a role in which she played a critical role in our effective response and preparedness for the entire operational area. Her contributions were instrumental in shaping the Emergency Management Program Grant, State Homeland Security Grant Program, as well as Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Program fiscal operations, including budget
preparation, financial reports, cost allocation plans, federal and state reimbursements, and I assure you they're quite lengthy, and implementation of methodologies that promote fiscal responsibility and cost recovery. Activated during the COVID -19 pandemic, Michelle ran temporary operations for 200 unclassified personnel, supporting the county's response at multiple county locations. She was responsible for check -in in the all -important food unit while maintaining her grant management work. Her three decades of experience with the county fostered growth, cultivated mutual respect, and enhanced operational capability through shaping the Grants and Administrative Services Division and managing and overseeing millions of dollars in grant funds that have benefited numerous jurisdictions, including the county. Michelle's service is appreciated and honored for serving in
our Emergency Operations Center, planning sessions, and providing support and Logistics Section during numerous disasters and emergencies, including the 2016 Loma Fire, 2017 floods, COVID -19, as I mentioned, the SCU Fire Complex, and 2023 winter storms, to name just a few. Thank you so much for your dedication. I'm going to miss seeing you in our EOC, but thank you so much for your service to our community.
to our office to teach today, but I can't leave without giving a shout -out to the Office of Emergency Management, the team there, my Grants team in particular,
and to Dana Reid for being the best human and manager and leader in the world,
and Tom and David Flem before him. I'm so honored and so incredibly lucky. And thank you, James, for believing in me back in 2014 and for affording me so much opportunity. And Greta and Kavita Narayan, who I don't think is here, but I would be remiss without mentioning her, too. So thank you.
Linda O 'Keefe, come on up.
Linda O 'Keefe is retiring after devoting more than 31 years to the county. Throughout her three -plus decades of service, Linda served as a physician assistant for adult custody health services, leaving behind clinical excellence, calm guidance, and awe -inspiring advocacy for incarcerated patients. Linda provided a distinctive delivery of care. In a very complex environment of correctional health, where she became a mentor to clinical and professional staff alike, whether direct reports, managers, or directors, her principle was compassion above all, while still maintaining a level of firmness and fortitude. Linda devoted her time and energy into improving discharge planning for incarcerated patients reentering the community, providing them with medications in hand and follow -up care to allow
for a continuum of care. For more than two decades, she served as the principal provider of the tuberculosis infection clinic, where she implemented a novel treatment regimen that received widespread attention through study and adoption by other carceral health care systems throughout the nation. Renowned by colleagues for her tenure within adult custody health, Linda's investment into her profession broadened into the Santa Clara Valley health care system, where she served more than 20 years on the Advanced Practice Council and 15 years, on the Enterprise Interdisciplinary Practice Committee. These posts enabled her to help shape policy and enhance standards across the entire SCVH system. In 1992, Linda founded Bay Area Non -Docs, or BAND, where she brought together
physician assistants and nurse practitioners within a regional network to share health care delivery system best practices. Recognized by the California Academy of Physician Associates, BAND still thrives today. Linda's profound dedication to her profession is matched only by her undying devotion to the San Francisco Giants, where, as a season ticket holder, she remains loyal to a fault. And not to say that clinical professionals don't have their own afflictions, Linda has yet to discover a cure for Lindark chocolates and Subway sandwiches, and her homemade banana bread is dangerous to would -be dieters. For three memorable decades, we thank Linda for her dedication. Dedication, devotion, advocacy, and compassion to our community. Congratulations, Linda.
So, I'm nervous, so I'm going to use my jail voice here. So, thank you so much for this meaningful recognition. It's been a privilege to serve in Adult Custody Health for the past 31 years. I'm grateful to have worked alongside so many dedicated professionals, and I share this honor with my colleagues who continue to care for patients in custody with compassion and dignity every day. I'd especially like to thank Dr. Alex Czerny for his leadership and support over the years. He's always been one of my heroes. Thank you.
Yasmina Latona is retiring from the County and Social Services Agency following 32 years of exemplary public service at the Department of Family and Children Services, protecting children and strengthening families. Yasmina began her
career
as a social worker intern in the Psychosocial Assessment Unit at DFCS while she worked towards her Master of Social Work, was hired as a continuing social worker in the Sexual Abuse Specialized Unit, and then promoted to Social Work Coordinator in the Dependency Wellness Program. While at DFCS, Yasmina graduated from Lincoln Law School in 2007 with a goal to expand her professional development and provide pro bono services to those in need in the Spanish -speaking community. Yasmina has earned and accepted increasing levels of responsibility for her working, supporting families, and has mentored social workers including as supervisor of social workers in Spanish -speaking units within the Emergency Response and Dependency Investigations Bureaus, as program manager overseeing
the Social Worker One Program with continuous quality improvement, and as program manager overseeing Emergency Response Units in the transitional shelter care facilities for youth with high acuity needs, concluding her career supporting after -hours emergency response work. Yasmina is actively involved with labor unions and served as contract negotiator, working passionately on behalf of her colleagues' interests. She has been a champion for advancing equity and reducing disproportionate representation of families of color in the child welfare system, and a proponent of equity, inclusion, and belonging within the county. To this aim, she served as co -chairperson of El Comite that strongly advocates for improved human services for the Latino community. Yasmina's contribution to the social work profession and
to our community has been profound, and today we celebrate her service, professional contributions, and joyful retirement. Thank you for your three -plus decades of dedication to social work and to serving this community and our county. Congratulations.
And I invite the board to come.
And
now I'd like to invite up this month's Employee Excellence Award recipients. Go
ahead and have a seat in one of these. Any order, just go ahead and have a seat.
So the way this works is I'll call you up one at a time, I'll read a blurb from your department about the amazing work that you're doing, you'll then take a step back, President Lee will hand you your certificate, take a photo with you, and then at the end we'll do a group photo all together. Sound good? All right. So this is that time of each month that we have an opportunity to recognize just a handful of our truly extraordinary public servants here at the county. And this month we're going to recognize employees from the Office of the County Executive, County 911, Communications, the Office of the County Council, Office of the Sheriff, Probation Department,
Social Services Agency, Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, and the Office of the District Attorney. So first up, we have Jason Guboian.
As the Senior Management Analyst on the Contracts Team in the Office of the County Executive, Jason Guboian exemplifies what it means to serve the public with dedication, integrity, and heart. Over the past 17 years, Jason has built a remarkable career within the county, beginning as extra help in the Public Health Department. His commitment to community well -being led him to roles as an eligibility worker, and later as a social worker within the Social Services Agency, where he provided critical support to some of the county's most vulnerable residents. Jason's journey continued as he transitioned into contract roles, first as a Management Analyst with the Health and Hospital System, and currently as a Senior Management Analyst. Jason
prioritizes efficiency without compromising thoroughness, ensuring that tasks are completed correctly. Through his exceptional attention to detail, Jason delivers high -quality work under tight deadlines. Jason upholds the county's fiscal responsibility by consistently making sound, well -reasoned decisions, protecting public resources. His steady presence, willingness to lead by example, and commitment to helping others contribute significantly to the team's overall success. Congratulations.
Mona Aguilar -Alvarez With
25 years of dedicated service to the county, Mona proudly serves as an Executive Assistant for County 911 Communications, working closely with department leaders to keep everything running smoothly and effectively. With her experience and insight, Mona is an asset to leadership and staff. She anticipates needs, manages complex assignments, and ensures that executives and managers work seamlessly. She discreetly manages confidential information, exercises sound judgment, and ensures compliance with policies. Her reliability, accuracy, and attention to detail set a high standard. Mona consistently steps in wherever needed, manages unexpected challenges, remains steady under pressure, and adapts quickly to shifting priorities. She approaches every responsibility with professionalism, care, and a solution -oriented mindset that elevates service quality across the department's
divisions. Mona's approachable, respectful demeanor creates an inclusive workplace. Colleagues value her clear communication, support, and collaborative spirit.
She
welcomes feedback, fosters teamwork, and models the county's core values. Trusted, dependable, and committed to public service, Mona's contributions leave a lasting impact on the department. Thank you for your service.
Liz Morgan. Liz
has been with the county for over 24 years and currently serves as the lead deputy county counsel for the Office of the County Council's Child and Family Protection Team. The team provides legal advice and in -court representation to the Department of Family and Children Services in juvenile dependency matters. Liz is a highly skilled attorney and expert in the field of child welfare law.
She
is also a beloved colleague and a dedicated public servant. Colleagues, clients, judges, and opposing counsel admire Liz's professionalism and depth of knowledge, as well as her unwavering commitment to kindness, excellence, and integrity. Liz invests in her colleagues and has been a mentor to many, freely sharing her wealth of knowledge and expertise.
Her
team members know she is always available to answer questions or discuss issues, and they deeply value her efforts and commitment to the critical work of keeping children and our community safe. Liz practices law with a combination of legal skill and heartfelt empathy, which is admired and appreciated by those who work with her. Congratulations.
Oliver Navarro.
Deputy Oliver Navarro has been with the Sheriff's Office for 17 years. Throughout his tenure with the department, he has demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and a strong dedication to service. Deputy Navarro was assigned to the Transit Patrol Division in January 2023, where he has served as a valuable member of the team, responding promptly to calls for service, conducting thorough investigations, and maintaining a visible presence within the transit system. During high -pressure or complex calls for service, he has consistently stepped forward to assume leadership responsibilities, ensuring that operations remain organized, safe, and mission -focused. One of the Division's recent major responsibilities was coordinating K -9 bomb sweeps across all VTA light rail stations for Super Bowl 60. Deputy
Navarro took initiative by scheduling and coordinating the deployment of K -9 officers on the days leading up to the Super Bowl. He further distinguished himself by serving as the K -9 leader for transit operations on the day of the Super Bowl. He oversaw the coordinated sweeping of more than 17 VTA trains during the game, ensuring that all trains were safe for the thousands of riders leaving the stadium after the event. His organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multi -agency operations were instrumental in maintaining an effective security plan and providing safety for everyone attending the event. Thank you for your service.
Manu Natikara.
Deputy Probation Officer Manu Natikara is a true example of excellence in public service, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to integrity, compassion, and helping others. He approaches each of his staff with the understanding that each client is unique, and all clients need to be treated with fairness, diligence, and empathy. His calm and respectful manner builds trust with clients, families, colleagues, and justice partners alike. Manu leads by example. He communicates with transparency, ensuring that everyone he works with feels valued and heard. Manu is known for lifting morale and bringing positivity wherever he goes. He's the first to step forward and lend a hand, and is the colleague everyone knows they can count on. Whether coaching youth, supporting a
family in need, or mentoring a colleague, Manu is always there, ready, reliable, and positive. Manu is a dedicated professional who puts others first and takes pride in making a difference. His strong work ethic, generosity, and respect for others is a reminder to colleagues of why we do this work. Congratulations.
Esmeralda Ruiz.
Esmeralda has demonstrated exemplary public service in her 13 years with the Social Services Agency. She's a valued member of the agency's staff, development, and training team.
As
an office specialist, Esmeralda assists colleagues with training, instructions, and academies with positivity and a willingness to go above and beyond. She understands that providing a positive experience to our frontline employees enhances their learning and development so they can better serve the public. Esmeralda has exceptional attention to detail, ensures accuracy in her clients, meets clinical duties, clerical duties, and consistently meets deadlines. Her strong organizational skills and dependable work ethic make her a reliable and trusted resource for both staff and leadership. Esmeralda's flexibility is one of her greatest strengths. She quickly adapts and pivots when last -minute requests are made or unexpected challenges arise. She's always willing to adjust and learn new processes to help contribute to
better service delivery to the employees of SSA. Her consistent commitment to excellence combined with her supportive nature and dedication to her work makes her a role model for clerical staff and employees throughout the agency.
Thank
you for your service.
Araceli Quesada.
Araceli is an accountant with Santa Clara Valley Healthcare who has shown exceptional dedication to her work. Her know -how attitude coupled with her positivity consistently leads to the success for her team and the organization. Araceli's journey with the county began in 2013 as a cashier for the Department of Revenue.
Her
strong work ethic and drive for excellence quickly advanced her to the Santa Clara Valley Healthcare Accounts Payable Team.
Among
her many accomplishments, Araceli played a key leadership role in implementing the Ariba procurement system, becoming the team's resident expert and leading efforts to streamline invoicing and improve efficiency.
Araceli
has shown herself to be very adaptable and flexible,
a
wearer of many hats while always remaining 100 % committed to her team.
She's
the colleague who doesn't hesitate to support others through challenges and ensures high -quality results no matter how complex the task.
Beyond
her technical expertise, Araceli's mentorship and kindness set her apart.
She
takes time to train and support new employees, fostering a culture of learning and encouragement. Her creativity and organization also extend beyond the day -to -day. She's found a place for herself as an event planner on the Christmas committee and is the visionary behind the department's balloon photo booth. Congratulations.
Kevin Nguyen. As
a clinical nurse, Kevin has consistently reflected the county's values through his dedication to high -quality patient care and his support of his colleagues. After transferring from the Progressive Care Unit through the Critical Care Training Program, Kevin steadily built strong, intense relationships with the Progressive Care Unit skills and earned his Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification. He demonstrates accountability and calm confidence during high -stress situations and is a reliable resource during code blues. Kevin also cross -trained in rapid response and ultrasound -guided IV placement. Once he completed his training, he helped other nurses with the course. Because of his patience, kindness, and respectful communication, Kevin is a valuable mentor to new nurses. He fosters a supportive learning
environment and strengthens teamwork across the unit. Kevin values innovation and improvement through his work on the Nursing Research Council. He completed literature and evidence reviews supporting nurse -driven, volume -based, tube -feeding protocols aligned with Aspen guidelines, which helped empower bedside nurses to advocate for best practices and improved outcomes for patients. Kevin's humility, dependability, and dedication make him an outstanding mentor and leading representative of the county in serving our community. Thank you for your service.
Jermaine Frazier.
When Jermaine first interviewed for his current position with the District Attorney's Office, he made a simple yet powerful commitment. If I am hired, I promise to never let you down. He got the job promoting to a utility worker just six months after joining the county and has lived up to his promise ever since. From his first day on the job as a custodial janitor in December 2022, Jermaine showed pride in his duties and ambition. That initiative and drive quickly led him to pursue the post at the District Attorney's Office. And there he immediately built strong relationships with his colleagues on the facility's team. He became a valued member of the team demonstrating consistent excellence, leadership,
positivity, and outstanding customer service. When given a task, Jermaine's attitude is, Consider it done. And that's another promise that he has always delivered as he works to make sure that equipment, buildings, and workspaces function safely and efficiently to support smooth daily operations across the office. Jermaine performs his daily duties with precision and care, setting a positive example for others. Jermaine's outstanding contributions remind us that promises, when backed by action, create excellence in the individual and the organization. Thank you for your service.
Let's have a huge round of applause for all of our award recipients. I
invite the board to come join me. We're going to turn our backs and take a group photo.
I just don't want to do it to you.
We
lost him.
I
like his vibe.
Congratulations.
Yay!
Yes, congratulations to all the awardees. And a couple of announcements. One is that March 13th, the lucky Friday the 13th, today, this week, at 5 .30, we'll be having our State of the County. And also, tomorrow, we will be having our regular meetings, so we'll be adjourning at this time, and we'll be adjourning right here at 9 .30 in the morning in Chambers. Thank you, everybody, and have a nice evening. Thank you. Yay!