Manager’s Report

For past reports, visit our Minutes page.

REPORT OF THE MANAGER

JANUARY 2021

The temperature remained low throughout the month of January. The average high temperature was 60.8°F with an average low of 39.4ºF. Preliminary data from the Delta Vector Control District (DVCD) Weather Station reported 1.88 inches of rainfall. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1981-2010 seasonal averages for high and low temperatures in January were 54.6ºF and 38.7ºF respectively, with average rainfall of 1.91 inches.

Water storage at Pine Flat Reservoir increased to 223,602 acre-feet by the end of the month. By January 31^st, Pine Flat Reservoir’s inflow had increased dramatically to 347 cubic feet per second (CFS) and its release decreased minutely to 140 CFS. The Lake Kaweah Reservoir ended the month with more water than the previous month, with 15,817 acre-feet on the 31st of January. Lake Kaweah’s inflow increased significantly to 128 CFS and its release was decreased dramatically to 2 CFS.

Winter maintenance work continued throughout January for all staff. The auto shop completed repairs and maintenance of all existing trucks, with work beginning on all non-truck vehicles and calibration.

Within the laboratory, encephalitis virus surveillance traps were updated to improve functionality and accommodate better dry ice bait containers. Repairs and routine maintenance continue for the current inventory of gravid and BG Sentinel traps. The environmental chamber and other insectary equipment underwent routine maintenance in January. Work continues in the insectary to upgrade it to arthropod containment level 2. The biosafety level (BSL) 2 and 3 rooms were decontaminated and pipettes calibrated. The High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter replacement, installation, and BSL inspections for certification have been ordered. Equipment calibration will continue throughout the month of February.

Due to the changing status of COVID-19 and changes in policy, it was deemed impossible for the District to successfully conduct a weed control program in 2021. Thus, all dairies and locations who had previously signed up for the 2021 season were notified as to these changes with a phone call, an email, a fax or some combination of other communication methods. Anyone with questions was instructed to contact the District.

M&M construction continued to work on the auto shop roof and to make repairs to the office roof and carport roof in January. Currently roofs are waiting for an inspection before they are considered complete.

DVCD made offers of employment to four individuals in the month of January, to fill the four vacant job positions. All four individuals have accepted, with start dates ranging from early February to early March. Andrea Troupin, the new biologist, will start working on February 8^th, 2021. Ms. Troupin has a Master’s of Science in Public Health with a concentration in parasitology and extensive experience in arbovirus testing, surveillance, and research. Hector Cardenas, the new Operations Program Manager, will begin work on February 22nd, 2021. Mr. Cardenas is coming to us from Santa Clara County Vector Control District with an Associates degree in Business Management, eleven years in vector control, and with experience as a Vector Control Operation Supervisor and Vector Control Scientific-Technical Services Manager. Matthew Escalante and Mario Sanchez will be joining the team as our two newest Vector Control Technician III/Mechanics, starting on March 1st.

At the start of January, a new COVID Prevention Program was implemented. Throughout Jan, employees continued to complete the online screening of COVID-19 survey and take paid time off to seek test results when required. One employee on January 13^th, 2021 tested positive for COVID-19, with all precautions being taken. The District will continue to be proactive in keeping employees and the public safe, with no planned rollback of any of the safety precautions that have been put in place. Efforts to contact the Public Health Department regarding when vaccinations are likely to be available for staff have not produced a concrete time, but have assured us we will be notified when a date is available.

There were three service requests in January:

2020 Service Request Summary

Delta VCD Summaries

Humans: There were no human cases of an arbovirus reported by the local public health department for the month of January.

Birds: No dead birds were reported in the month of January. Although the Dead Bird Hotline will remain closed until April 2021, residents can still report dead birds online or directly to the District.

Mosquitoes: No mosquito testing was conducted in the month of January.

State Surveillance:

Humans: No statewide reports are available for the month of January.

Birds:  No statewide reports are available for the month of January.

Mosquitoes: No statewide reports are available for the month of January.

            TOTAL BUDGET                                          $3,516,071.89

EXPENDITURES – July 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021

            REVENUE RECEIVED – July 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021

V.        Time Sheet Summary                        

The District has a vacation policy that requires 24 hour notice in order to ensure the operational integrity of the workforce.  Sick leave for doctor, dentist and/ or family medical necessity also requires advance notice- in so much as it is possible.   Illness is unplanned and therefore unscheduled.  Attendance records for the current year are shown in the table.

*Revenue for January not available from County as of 2/4/2021.