[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6497568,"mediaKeyId","5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5","parentId",5580627,"title","Board delays final decision on Vallejo police services contract; labor group seeks clearer staffing guarantees","audioSeconds",53,"startMs",11275000,"endMs",11328000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5&start=11275&end=11328","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5/thumbnail_11275000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6497568/Solano-County/California/Board-delays-final-decision-on-Vallejo-police-services-contract-labor-group-seeks-clearer-staffing-guarantees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497568-1f08cae5c648c47c4ae27ca0aa90cfe2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030382&Signature=gLel5psd5adGrwv94mwCF8lV9IHb5eR3w-I5XrRlEcKKUCjtX7lHsPw~-JCp02QHfLKUsT5KozRmhZXpVodVG81ZI3By9zDjxYV36ZfhrlpxQ0J6oaNEDLfhbPi-VwQk7gHbViy7CbsdNfwDVAKbYb0miTuqw1Av8h2lS44Hnqj3QGWBDkAiIjYqaUbDqK~Ho6RhlHbgivQvvsMJe3Xs-yP0DHlKDn8-dd6PxIltPmyN~T1uV-YPNmH8d~khpW2tNICyUqTDa8cEpFMlOJsKHHe8RRfFU5tX4exxKabsfhQ7u6TvaZN2JD16Ui1i0m5VVxUcAcKe8aYM2niVQ3dqdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-08-12T21:35:57Z","article","The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday continued consideration of a proposed contract to provide temporary law‑enforcement assistance to the city of Vallejo, giving county negotiators and the Deputy Sheriffs Association more time to resolve outstanding labor and staffing issues.

Vallejo officials told the board the contract is important to help the city restore service levels. Jason Ackley, assistant to Vallejo’s city manager, said the arrangement allows leadership to “continue to make progress while providing a level of service that will make a difference in people’s lives.”

Ryan Wallace, president of the Solano County Deputy Sheriffs Association, told supervisors that patrol staffing in the sheriff’s office is frequently at critically low levels and that the union needs a clear, defined minimum staffing standard before committing to a large contract. He also urged tightened limits on the proposed use of retired annuitants; the association said the county’s current draft expands retired‑annuitant use beyond court staffing and could undermine job security for active deputies.

Sheriff Tom Farrar and undersheriff Brad DeWalt updated supervisors on negotiations; staff told the board they have exchanged memorandum‑of‑understanding drafts with the association and expected further meetings. After public comment, supervisors voted to continue the item to the Aug. 26 meeting to allow meet‑and‑confer work to continue.

Ending: The board continued the Vallejo contract item and asked staff and negotiators to keep meeting with the Deputy Sheriffs Association to address minimum‑staffing language and retired‑annuitant deployment terms; the item will return for further consideration on Aug. 26.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors 08-12-25 Meeting 1 of 1","oneSentenceSummary","The board continued consideration of a proposed contract to provide temporary law‑enforcement assistance to the city of Vallejo and asked staff to continue meet‑and‑confer; the deputies’ union told supervisors it needs defined minimum staffing and limits on use of retired annuitants.","taxTitle","Solano County, California","taxId",3563,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6497573,"Board approves minor subdivision to split 426 acres into 10 agricultural parcels, updates Williamson Act contracts",603,2523000,3126000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5&start=2523&end=3126","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5/thumbnail_2523000.jpg","/articles/6497573/Solano-County/California/Board-approves-minor-subdivision-to-split-426-acres-into-10-agricultural-parcels-updates-Williamson-Act-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497573-6458e480c53de3dfeac14075dfee1b99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030382&Signature=FqGFO0HDYOd~yQx6z17cUpCZDC2-nIiq-MjUj7j70tA4hvzrt6RqtW2F7-boDrFbTN1FPRGesunYVjRiEtJAcoxPgqncW1sWxSqhITb0LRrknNOMBlpRiGMWgSM1VX57MFJxM3820050Z0gCXECLLHXFMERVC~2y9l7riqTLrBdSvC0byPB~nOKIr6jqHiqdV1p3wE41Pyx3O6AL7v1HwZapxjXBtKS7rvCQmrwlN-boPV4jpUR2QaGDgtcvCpbPQxNfa0vghSQD3hPIMDLE1cMupo8aGask2sEItKgP84wfy2RykqO9lFYCUJW2iLpf6SZbZXlns96AdLBgbXd-Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted 5–0 to approve minor subdivision MS 2402, which divides four existing parcels totaling roughly 426 acres into 10 agricultural lots, each at least 41 acres, and to rescind and replace older Williamson Act land‑conservation contracts.

Planning staff led the public hearing. Alan Calder, planning manager, and Matt Walsh, principal planner, explained that the project would convert about 342 acres from cattle pasture into active row crops, proposes five owner‑farmer residential units and leaves each new lot over the agricultural 40‑acre minimum under county zoning. County staff recommended adoption of a mitigated negative declaration under the California Environmental Quality Act and approval of the tentative map, including rescinding Williamson Act contracts 14 and 15 and creating replacement land conservation contracts numbered 1391, 1392 and 1393 to match the new parcel boundaries.

The project required signatures from owners of nearby Williamson Act contracts where boundaries are noncontiguous; Walsh said the applicant had obtained most of those signatures. Kathy Pease, consultant planner, said two comment letters received during the public review raised no significant impacts, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation indicated pesticide use was unlikely because the site was previously used for cattle grazing. The Dickson Resource Conservation District reviewed the application and raised no concerns, staff told the board.

Grant Greer, representing the landowners, told the board the family intended to steward the property and asked for approval. Supervisor Wanda Williams asked clarifying questions about rescinding and reissuing Williamson Act contracts; staff said rescinding the older contracts and executing new contracts aligned the conservation agreements with revised parcel lines and did not remove the properties’ land‑conservation status.

The board adopted the mitigated negative declaration and approved the minor subdivision, the rescission of contracts 14 and 15 and replacement contracts 1391–1393 by a unanimous vote.

Ending: County staff will finalize the subdivision record and process the replacement Williamson Act contracts consistent with the new parcel boundaries and the mitigation measures in the CEQA determination.
","The board voted unanimously to approve MS 2402 (Realized Dreams), a minor subdivision creating ten agricultural lots from four parcels, rescinding two Williamson Act contracts and approving three replacement contracts; staff adopted a mitigated negative declaration under CEQA.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6497578,"Solano supervisors appoint undersheriff Brad DeWalt to finish sheriff's term after Farrar retirement",2298,171000,2469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5&start=171&end=2469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5/thumbnail_171000.jpg","/articles/6497578/Solano-County/California/Solano-supervisors-appoint-undersheriff-Brad-DeWalt-to-finish-sheriffs-term-after-Farrar-retirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497578-f4d62aa553520aa446ab7f9354cf6034/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030382&Signature=dbAnq6MN~TXYV4J3vTMDQExsAK9HU78PiEJ-UZY8d6e0V4~snOw9uYscNAAQmbjm2LwMfG1HMfYnFYOh3kIpM7J-7UyegmlDSAb3wLv7aYOJpM~0IkJCA6sJtTpRX~F8YwfhR5fv0W17HxoT6BlJFB3xLL~GlFk64nealyA24G2vWLTi7~BJR6TQOHGiSU2l5ME~LkGNt521JcU8f9ahhjLDrbQpODQDJfvpOkaB9IYixOE5T2SMb0y9MlQ7JedoE3U06-Xh1rhh~rNRsAwpbQYajdgsX~5LCaUYY8SpfiWWELCWCUWSmnJjWpbvIY8VejaY-~3nhkYJZNs5dU3ywA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Solano County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 on Tuesday to appoint Under Sheriff Brad DeWalt as Solano County sheriff to serve the remainder of Sheriff Tom Farrar’s term following Farrar’s announced retirement.

Supervisor John Vasquez moved to appoint DeWalt; the motion was seconded and carried by a 3–2 vote with Supervisors James and Williams voting no, the board clerk announced. Supervisors who supported the appointment cited DeWalt’s 30‑plus years of experience and the need for continuity in a long remaining term.

Farrar, who announced a retirement effective Sept. 25, told the board he had served 42 years in the sheriff’s office and said he hoped to leave the department “in a little better condition than when I got it.” He received remarks and thanks from the board and staff before the appointment discussion.

The appointment prompted several members of the public — including former law enforcement personnel — to ask for a transparent, community‑open recruitment instead of an appointment. Joshua Patzer, who identified himself as a former Marine and law‑enforcement officer, told the board: “It should be up to the people, not five board members on the recommendation of one person,” and urged an open recruitment and public forums. His brother, Jeremy Patzer, and other speakers echoed concerns that appointing an under sheriff to the remaining multi‑year term denies voters a voice.

Board legal counsel and supervisors said the government code limits the county’s options: either the board appoints a successor or the under sheriff assumes office by operation of law. Staff noted that state changes to election timing extended the remaining term and that a mid‑cycle election is not available under current law.

Supervisor Vasquez, who made the motion to appoint DeWalt, said DeWalt has worked in “every aspect of sheriff’s office operations” and described the appointment as continuity for a term that extends through January 2029 (with the next election under the revised schedule to follow). Supervisor Williams said she supported DeWalt’s qualifications but acknowledged the public’s call for transparent interviews and review processes.

The board recorded the vote as 3–2 and directed staff to proceed with the appointment process for DeWalt to assume the office. No further personnel actions were adopted at the meeting.

Ending: The county will complete the administrative steps to seat Under Sheriff Brad DeWalt as the appointed sheriff; the board directed staff to coordinate implementation and noted the community’s request that future mid‑term vacancies be governed by a formal policy developed by the board.
","Sheriff Tom Farrar announced his retirement and the board voted 3–2 to appoint undersheriff Brad DeWalt to serve the remainder of Farrar's term; the vote drew public comment criticizing the appointment process.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6497583,"Solano supervisors push draft battery storage rules after public safety, farmland concerns",7343,3151000,10494000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5&start=3151&end=10494","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580627-b8a2e99ab7a2b85833d046b2f5ce66a5/thumbnail_3151000.jpg","/articles/6497583/Solano-County/California/Solano-supervisors-push-draft-battery-storage-rules-after-public-safety-farmland-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6497583-636085218db1962d1c4396d82ad348e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030382&Signature=KgX249NE6sJqogBOYqPGcTuxw6LgaSOVPlRj-MQUNu~cDhAIW5LXNaKoIct5HloQiCCBmPjuRwo-5ceLRv9NaOw4GTIwuKYuz1KYB-o2RLykOxRSAgSrCuIOBFfiw2BodAsdclXdGpcKeGPrcLWl7YmIt~-6yR8b88uUsy-O9tWiyY8WlTOHfm7R59evnTOQKji49Op0jpwlmHCx3p~O4Vzs3SMFdWpD6QdwWni-KQx2g2TtKVX9PGxwUO2HZWUwNb6QmttBSTW6G19q7hb5wew8rt-nYKvzDGM5r0dG5ZkRl57eHc6bPBSAQ-cw1QRmb1cWIJ1WbPVr~xsc0C7iCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday heard a staff briefing and extensive public comment on a draft ordinance to regulate large, front‑of‑meter battery energy storage systems and asked staff to move quickly to finalize standards addressing fire risk, siting and community protections.

The draft ordinance would apply to systems greater than 1 megawatt and requires discretionary use permits, third‑party technical review, emergency‑response and decommissioning plans, and financial assurances. Staff framed the draft as a risk‑based approach that would prohibit BESS in some hazardous areas, require layered mitigations for thermal‑runaway risk and offer narrower pathways with fewer conditions for non‑flammable chemistries.

The issue matters because developers can currently take an alternative permitting route at the California Energy Commission (CEC), and supervisors said a local ordinance is the county’s main lever to influence outcomes, short of changes to state law. Director of Resource Management James Musick told the board that local rules are “important” because the CEC must consider local ordinances and general plan policies when it evaluates any AB205 opt‑in applications.

Eric Hagstrom, associate planner, described the draft’s core elements: mandatory pre‑application meetings with county agencies, a technical review fee to cover third‑party expertise, required emergency response plans and decommissioning financial assurances, air quality baseline testing, and a possible prohibition of indoor battery facilities. He said the county had formed a technical working group that included local fire experts, Office of Emergency Services, industry representatives and community members, and that the draft incorporated national standards and outside technical input including NFPA 855 and Underwriters Laboratories guidance.

Supervisors and dozens of public speakers pressed for stricter protections. Supervisor Wanda Williams said the Moss Landing fire and subsequent studies left her worried about plumes of toxic smoke and long‑term soil contamination, and asked how close a BESS could be to schools, senior housing and hospitals. “This is wrong in so many ways,” Williams said, adding she wanted the ordinance “as tight as it can be.”

Community members and farming advocates urged a prohibition on prime agricultural land. Several speakers asked that the county either ban BESS on Williamson Act parcels and land mapped as prime, unique or statewide‑important farmland or require a countywide vote to convert agricultural zoning before any battery project could proceed. Sarah Dunn, who lives near proposed projects, told supervisors she supported prohibiting BESS on high‑value farmland and said commercial‑service zones, not farms near residents, are more appropriate locations for utility‑scale systems.

Fire and emergency preparedness was the most common topic at the public mic. County staff and the board discussed mitigation options that would require developers to pay for additional training, specialized equipment, radio interoperability, contributions to consolidated dispatch, and annual funding for county emergency response agencies. Hagstrom said the draft allows the department to require such community benefits as mitigation if a battery chemistry carries a thermal‑runaway risk; if a third‑party review determines a technology has no thermal‑runaway risk, the director could exempt applicants from some thermal‑runaway specific measures.

Other items in the draft: setbacks tied to risk (a staff recommendation would require a 300‑foot setback from sensitive receptors where thermal‑runaway risk exists); a 30‑foot fire‑rated access road encircling modules; requirements for air quality baseline monitoring; a decommissioning assurance that is 50% funded at commercial operation and fully funded by the start of year five (with options such as a bond, parent guarantee or irrevocable letter of credit); cybersecurity and reporting requirements; and a prohibition on indoor BESS facilities.

Several supervisors urged staff to pursue the strictest options that are legally defensible. Supervisor John Brown said succession planning and local government continuity made it important to adopt a defensible local standard rather than cede the field to the state. Supervisor Mitch Mashburn asked staff to model the effect of excluding Williamson Act properties on the map of feasible project parcels.

Staff said the draft would be updated based on the input and returned for formal introduction and a public hearing schedule. Musick told the board the ordinance is time‑sensitive because at least two BESS proposals have engaged the CEC AB205 opt‑in process and an adopted local ordinance sets the standards the CEC must consider.

The board did not adopt the ordinance; it directed staff to return with a final draft and hearing schedule and to explore options for stronger protections on prime agricultural land, setback options, and mechanisms to ensure fire‑response costs and training are covered by applicants.

Ending: Staff said it will revise the draft to incorporate the board’s direction and public comments and bring the ordinance back for formal action and a public hearing notice. The board emphasized urgency and asked staff to produce a version that maximizes local protections that can withstand CEC review and possible state scrutiny.","Board heard a technical presentation and extended public comment on a draft battery energy storage (BESS) ordinance, asked staff to tighten site, fire-response and agricultural protections and to return quickly with a final draft and hearing schedule.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board delays final decision on Vallejo police services contract; labor group seeks clearer staffing guarantees

Board approves minor subdivision to split 426 acres into 10 agricultural parcels, updates Williamson Act contracts

Solano supervisors appoint undersheriff Brad DeWalt to finish sheriff's term after Farrar retirement

Solano supervisors push draft battery storage rules after public safety, farmland concerns