Public comment corpus

Board of Supervisors

June 2, 2026 · Data-center guidelines and resolution · 40 spoken public comments

Unofficial transcript from the official recording, speaker-tagged and checked against official minutes where available. The official record is the video and minutes. Timestamps mark the start of each comment in the recording.

Speaker	Time	Comment (verbatim)
Christopher Scurries	0:18:34	All right. Good morning, board. I'd like to echo my friend's thoughts on democracy. It is a great day for democracy. So anyway, my name is Chris Scurries. I live in the city of Imperial. I like to, you know, you folks talk a lot about the rules of law around here. That's been going around lately. And I'd like to add something to that conversation because I think it's important. Starting with Mr. Escobar. You said a couple weeks ago with the lot merger vote you shielded yourself from the law. I want to ask what do you know about following the law? What do you know about was the $830,000 consent item that this board approved to hire an outside accounting agency necessary because someone up here followed the law or because someone didn't follow the law? How many more taxpayer dollars need to go to litigation to fight for your mistakes? We come to you concerned with that lot merger. And I know I expressed and others as well that by approving it that day, you'd be piecemealing the project, which as you guessed it, was against the law. And now the Sierra Club has validated those concerns by entering the fray against this data center by suing the county. We already knew that. Government code 65858 can place a 45-day moratorium. It would need a four-fifths vote on all data centers, including the one on Aitman Clark, the one next to my house, Mrs. Price. That needs to happen today. And that 45-day period needs to be used to ban data centers altogether. I was already threatened with litigation for trying to place a ban on these projects. And it's your turn again. And that way, our taxes will go to something that will benefit the state. And that's what we did. We called ourselves NIMBY. Not in my backyard. That's what we said. Put it somewhere but not here. But we're past that now. Because you continue to disrespect us, our families, with these types of decisions. So it's not about not being in my backyard. These just need to go away. You don't get a data center. You get nothing now. We were willing to talk about this early on. And now we're almost seven months in. I will relinquish the rest of my time. .
Susan Ferrar-Paradis	0:21:23	Good morning. I'll just get right to my point first. Mr. Hawk and Mr. Escobar, I wish you the best of luck in this election. I encourage everyone to vote. It is important. . I, for months, the community and the people have been speaking out against the data center. Specifically the Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing Data Center. Recently the cities are taking a stand, as everybody knows. And for months we have been speaking in public comment with no feedback. I understand the process. You can't provide feedback. So I am at the point now where, and this is me personally, I have not talked to anyone about this decision. Where I have put, submitted a request for an agenda item for the June 16th board meeting for the board to take action and vote on a moratorium. . I am at the point now where, and this is me personally, I have not talked to anyone about this decision. Because I feel I need to know where you stand. Where do you stand on it? I don't know. . Some of you it appears as if you have been maybe changing your position. But I just really want to know. And I feel the community probably wants to know. So I have submitted that request. I look forward to presenting on that day. . With respect to the lot merger vote, I would like to take a moment to thank you all for your support. All of you gave your reasons on why you voted the way you voted. The majority of you stated you are upholding the law. Mr. Haack, you went on to say I took a note to uphold the law and the Constitution of the United States. And I am going to be honest. It has been over 50 years since I learned the Constitution of the United States. So I looked it up as a refresher. It all came back and to be honest, it was the school of rock that went through my mind. You know, the school of rock on Saturday mornings. But I would like to read this for you to just maybe as a refresher. It says, we the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the people of the United States, and ensure the peace and security of the United States. We will for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States. We are not in domestic tranquility right now. We do not feel that our welfare is being promoted. Ms. Carradus, your three minutes are up. Okay. Thank you. God bless. Have a blessed day.
Jake Tison	0:24:53	Okay. Good morning, Board, Madam Chair. I'm Jake Tyson. I got four things to talk about. It's been a long two weeks. Okay. The Sierra Club is now suing over the illegal lot merger vote that we had here on this April 7th, light item 17 part 3. The exact issue I warned this Board about. My cure and correct demand was a lifeline. And I told this Board that for this county to fix this violation before the damage got worse. Well, the damage happened. You know, more money is going out the door. Government code section 54960.1 requires that legislative body within 30 days of receiving a cure and correct demand. No, to either cure or correct the challenge action or notify me in writing or notify me in writing of its decision not to cure and correct. Your silence does not erase the Brown Act violation. It shows the public exactly what we already know. This county continues to ignore the residents while pretending to do the public's business. Senator, number two, Senator Padilla helped secure a $10 million Lithium Valley grant. And my CPRA request has now gone unanswered. Why has it taken seven months to show the public how that money was spent? How do you lose track of $10 million? So once again, you're ignoring me the same way you ignore the cure and correct letter. Number three, Derek Desert's signature appears on documents tied to the LLC pushing a second data center in Supervisor Price's district. The Mesquite Lake data center appears connected to Tim Kelly and Allison Miola, Supervisor Price's district. Supervisor Ryan Kelly, they are your cousins, right? Yes, they are. Great. So, and where does the IID candidate, Carlos Duran, fit in all this? Well, Derek Desert owns the Airbnb Carlos Duran is using to place himself inside the district to qualify as a candidate for IID director. A position that could influence the water and power decisions these data centers will need. So the public deserves to know, is Carlos Duran actually living there? Or is this just a temporary address to qualify? For the election? If he loses, is he staying there or is he moving back to Calexico? And number four, Imperial County's budget is what? It's about $755 million and it relies heavily on federal funding, local assistance and tribal consistency funds. While fire protection and emergency services are already underfunded. So, yet this board continues pushing industrial scale data centers that would increase risk, increase demand on emergency services, exposes taxpayers to more litigation. The longer this board executive staff and planning leadership remain in place while ignoring the public, ignoring legal warnings and ignoring agency concerns, the deeper this hole gets. So, Tyson, your three minutes are up. Great. We just probably need to wrap this up.
Diana Salcedo	0:35:29	Good morning, everyone. I'm Diana Salcedo. I came here today because I wanted to let you guys know, well, you probably already know, that Calipat, Brawley, and Imperial is going to do a monitorium as well as Calexico. So what I'm saying to you that this Imperial County is speaking very loudly. They're asking you to stop. Listen. So I'm asking you to put this on the November ballot for Imperial County to vote on these AI data centers. Thank you. Yes.
Ida Burden	0:36:25	Good morning, all. Good attendance this morning. Okay. I think I'll start off with water. Now, it's a subject that's been ignored in this county. I look at the levels of Lake Mead, Lake Powell, our drought. Our water, access to water is depleting by the day. It's not ever going to get any more. We may have rights to this water that are grandfathered in and in front of everyone. I heard Palo Verde is possibly in front of us. But I know for a fact that when you've got no water, 50% of that is nothing. So whatever you want to parcel out or say that we have to distribute to the rest of this country for a hub, for a data center, it's not realistic. It's not. I've been driving by Lake Mead since the 70s. I'm from Idaho. I've driven. I've watched the west develop my whole life. We are at a point where we're not going to recover. And everybody's acting like it's just a temporary thing. I hear that we've got all this water to give to these projects that you want to put in. And I'm speaking specifically to the data center. I do not know how you calculate that. Even if you're talking reclaimed water that they can take through their system, we're going to need that. Now, I don't know about anybody else, but data don't eat. You can't be eating data. Right? So if we've got water that we need to parcel out, we need it to be a benefit to us. Not some far-flung hub for a data center. They're talking Mexico to San Diego to here, and we're going to be in the middle of it. You're talking about training for people in this valley, and I'm going to switch subjects a little bit, that train people for a data center that's going to deplete our resources. There are 100 jobs that they're promising out of this data center, right? And it's never fulfilled. These promises of employment, they're never fulfilled. It just doesn't happen. So if you've got 100 jobs and you're training for these people to get jobs in the data center industry, where are they going to work? Have you got four or five more that you're planning on training people to work at? I don't understand where you think we've got any employment benefit coming from a data center. We have no people that are educated to work in that data center at this time. How long does it take to train people to do that? We don't have the time. The whole concept of the employment benefits, it's gone as well. Now the zoning process, I've been thinking about your zoning problem. You say that you're adhering to zoning that has been done, what, 20 years ago for data centers? How many years ago did you establish data centers? That's a good question. I think 2017 maybe. That's nearly ten years ago. Ms. Burden, your three minutes are up.
Skye Ainsworth	0:39:55	Good morning, County Supervisors. I'm Skye Ainsworth, community organizer, resident of El Centro. I come to speak to you today a couple of things. First, I'm hearing from fairly reliable sources in about three weeks, give or take a week, fuel prices are going to go up. Right now, fuel prices, they're a little bit higher, but that price is being mitigated by the National Reserve being released. But the supply and demand is not matching up. So just to give you a fair warning that three weeks, give or take, there's going to be a significant change. Concerning Brendan Brown's and looking for a place, I've been reaching out. When I learned about this a couple of weeks ago, I've been reaching out to government officials and staff, city leaders. I'm not hearing any response back. So I think it's going to have to be private donors in response to that. Thank you. Concerning what I wanted to speak today about, main issue, was recent weeks several towns in Imperial County have passed moratoriums on building data centers in Imperial County. At the federal and state level, new legislation is passing or being worked on to address the public concerns about data centers and their impact on the local environment. I would like to speak in support of a moratorium and to caution against any language that suggests a total ban. I am a history nerd. I listen to the news. And I have sat through supervisor meetings since 2007. A ban will make that jurisdiction a target. target for lawsuits. I urge fiscal responsibility and being careful to word any language about what is being built. Technology is always going to advance. The needs of the consumer will always change. What we do today impacts people today. The hyperscale DC project for Imperial does not make sense for the potential impact on local electricity and water rates, as well as impacts to the airport and local agricultural industries. Imperial County is a farming community. Our major cities are San Diego and Mexicali. That is who we provide resources to and work with. That is where the jobs and influx to our local economy comes from. I also urge being careful in the legal language because IBW 569 Electricians Union wants to build technology projects like data centers. And with the risk of fire hazards, you want skilled professionals putting things in right the first time. A major data center in Imperial's industrial park is one location with a handful of jobs of different pay scales. If there were smaller data center projects that had no significant impact to water and electricity rates that did not create problems for the community, we would not be able to do that. We would not be able to do that. If the technology is advanced and makes sense, then I am all in support. Then that town gets jobs and the rent goes to that jurisdiction. Ultimately, I would like the IBW's legal advisors to help the county and city legal advisors in how to craft their ordinances and local laws. I feel this will save the county money in the long run as no outside lawyers will be able to challenge what we do. And it will help streamline future construction projects in Imperial County and the locals will feel safer about the transparency. Thank you.
Ernie Acosta	0:43:02	Good morning, Chairwoman and members of the Board of Supervisors. My name is Ernie Acosta and I'm here today to ask a simple question. When we look at the future of Imperial County, what is more valuable, a building full of computers, or food that nourishes our people? We are constantly told that large projects will bring prosperity, but prosperity should not be measured only in dollars. It should be measured in healthier families, stronger communities, and opportunities that directly improve people's lives. Microgreens are not just specialty crop. They are one of the most nutrient-dense foods that can be grown locally. These tiny plants are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and beneficial compounds that many people in our community are lacking. We live in a time when people struggle with iron deficiency, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and poor nutrition. Our seniors worry about osteoporosis and maintaining healthy bones. Pregnant mothers need access to nutrient-rich foods to support healthy development. Families are looking for better ways to feed their children. What if part of the solution was being grown right here in Imperial County? Broccoli microgreens, kale microgreens, sunflower microgreens, pea shoots, beet microgreens, and many others contain powerful nutrients that support overall health. They provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants that can increase growing healthy lifestyle growth. Every trait grown is more than a crop. It is an investment in community health. It is an investment in local agriculture. It is an investment in people of Imperial County. Unlike industries that may του arrive off at high taxes that might cost little money to provide food for each community. Cormia does not hate TOca Lauda or fallsה automate, and eventually require fewer workers, agriculture creates opportunities for entrepreneurs, students, families, and small business owners. It keeps people connected to the land and connected to one another. Imagine schools growing microgreens. Imagine hospitals serving locally grown nutrient-dense produce. Imagine restaurants sourcing ingredients from local farmers. Imagine young people seeing agriculture not as the past, but as modern, profitable, and meaningful future. That future is possible. The question before us is what kind of economy we want to build. Do we want an economy that simply consumes resources, or do we want one that produces something that our community desperately needs? Healthy food, local jobs, and long-term opportunity. Imperial County has the climate, the agriculture, and the hard-working people to become a leader in specialty crop production. We have the ability to grow food, to support families, support local businesses. I ask the board to champion agriculture, support local food production, and invest in industries that create lasting benefits for our... Mr. McSlyer, your three minutes are up. Thank you.
Daniel Arvizo	0:46:22	Good morning, everyone. Today is June 2nd, 2026. Summer is right around the corner, and we have to prepare for the hottest summer we've experienced yet. The water flows today, but who will be allowed the last drop of the excess that we have? What will we do when the Southwest is turned into a crisis? Will you even be here? A leader should plant seeds of hope that leaves a legacy of decisions that they can probably... that they will probably... will not benefit from. A leader doesn't leave a ticking time bomb that benefits no one but the elite. That's not a leader. That's a class traitor. Hyper ballistic missiles need AI. Drone swarms that are used in warfare. Need AI. That is the future of war. Raul Ruiz and Jeff Gonzalez are both complicit in this data center. That's why they haven't spoken up much about it. And that's why Jeff votes against a lot of things for... like, against the community. All because of the Greater Israel Project. Have you ever heard of that? Do we know who... Israel, the country that's committing genocide in the other side of the world, that we give most of the funds? The U.S. funds most of the Israel war crimes. And that list of war crimes is endless. One of them happened in February 2026, where a ballistic missile fell into a school that was all women, all girls, 150 students and staff. They all passed away. I'm an educator. That really hurt. And AI took part of this. Why? Because AI determines what's a building that they have to bomb, they should bomb, an ambulance that they can kill immediately. And this building used to be a base for military. And this building used to be a base for military. And this building used to be a base for military. A couple decades ago, 2016, it turned into a school. You could see a playground. You could see visual imaging that it wasn't a base anymore. But AI still chose it as a target. And in war crimes, the U.S. and all countries around that have committed horrible things, they focus on the children. So you don't have a next generation that can fight back. They've done it on Palestine and killed more than over 100,000 people. I don't think the numbers are true. I think there's a higher number, the death count. But AI supports all of this. It encourages and funds and will be the infrastructure for the next world war. So what I suggest is you guys change everything that's going on. I'm making this comment right now because I'm probably not going to be here for item 16 or 18. But like people have said, the cities are making decisions before you guys. And it's pretty obvious that you guys are pushing for it. You guys are pushing for one side instead of the community side. So I reiterate, like everyone else here has been saying it for months, seven months, time flies. So yeah, I'm taking up as much time as I can. So yeah, I hope you guys all lose in the election.
Peter Rodriguez	1:37:25	Again, Board, we come again in the situation that we're in. This attempt you guys want to put through is not a safeguard to our community. A thousand feet. Let me tell you what I know. I spoke to a bomb disposal individual that I knew had been to Iran and Afghanistan. Again, the scenario that I read, he suggested 10 miles blast radius. He actually had gasoline nearby. Okay? 10 miles. That's what's on what he could say, it was going to go up, it was going to go this way. We don't know because we already know you guys cannot, firefighters cannot defend, at least locally, a data fire if you want to encourage, if you want to be built, in order to have the training or equipment to go forward. This proposal was nothing more than a Trojan horse so they can build something on a lot merger that should not have been allowed. Okay? So, while it may sound in good faith, the integrity, the way it was written, like, shouldn't he have fire department? Supervisor Kelly, you're a firefighter. What do you want? Emergency office services being involved in this written proposal? People, you should be better. You're not leading or you don't want to lead. You want us to say, okay, you're doing a great job, clap, it's election day. Well, no. Sorry. I recommend this proposal not go forward as presented. It going to hurt people. You don't think about the future. Let me tell you, I hate to say this, but I'm 64. Got maybe 20 more years left. But those kids that are seven and eight don't have that if you put this in, as is. They don't got that future that I had. And you see, when someone says they make noise. I'll tell you what I feel about that noise. These individuals that have grown to me are no longer, and I rarely say this, they're no longer just citizens. They're family to me. And I will stand with my family to the end. I will walk in the valley of death before I would give up. And if you can't stand for families, those who are neighbors, those who are friends, those who stand beside you, then you cannot stand for nothing. Thank you. You can't even stand for a cross. Thank you.
Christopher Scurries	1:40:16	Good morning again, Board. My name is Chris Scurries and I'm here to talk about item 18 on your agenda. I'm here to urge you not to pass this resolution. I've read through it and it's very apparent that it doesn't really do anything to protect people against data. It's a very clear response to me and for another data center application that is currently in the works by Tomcat Development LLC. And my suspicion is that this resolution fits that application like a glove. I don't know. But I guess that's my suspicion. Thank you. Thank you. In this resolution, you suggest the elimination of buy-write development, which I assume is an attempt to make us all feel warm and fuzzy, yet there is no mention of CEQA. In fact, I'm not even sure if buy-write development is the same as buy-write approval, which is the actual thing we've been wanting for a while. So for the record, what is the difference between buy-write development and approvals? But maybe more importantly, this whole section of the supposed elimination of buy-write is filled with exceptions to the very rule, the most prominent being data centers would be allowed buy-write development under specific rules. Therefore the utilization of CEQA applies during symptoms case Tier IV alert blessed inflammation therefore בכ shack sew Australian ?? data center that no one wants. Passing the resolution today would only prove my point that these are not actual protections if the very people they supposedly protect are rejecting it, as illustrated by, was it 300 people who wrote in? What this resolution really is, is just a playbook for future developers. And we're seeing that playbook play out with that Tyler program, so people from Huntington Beach can put in more applications from the safety of their homes. But to be so deep in this controversy and continue to double down on this data center drama is what my students would call low-key wild work. Instead of all this nonsense, move to place a moratorium like all the cities are doing on all data center developments. And I said it earlier today, government code 65858 would place a pause on all data center developments, including the Mesquite Lake one that I've discussed and the IBCM project next to my house. That would initiate a pause on all data center developments. And I think that's a great idea. That would initiate a 45-day moratorium. And in the meantime, we can work together to impart meaningful protections and an actual ordinance. Although at this point, I think we all just want to ban the damn thing. I really want to challenge Mr. Escobar and Ms. Gardner-Singh today to initiate and second the vote to implement that moratorium. The two of you have actually demonstrated concerns for these projects. And I would like you to use your words and turn them into actions. I would like to see that. I think we'd all like to see that. The cities are doing it. Go for it. Here's your chance. Stand with us. It's time. Thank you.
Jake Tison	1:43:25	Jake Tyson. Okay. Line item 18. I'm Jake Tyson. First off, I'd like to submit, you know, the guidelines. I mean, come on. Who are you guys trying to fool here? Where'd you get a thousand feet from? Who wrote this, by the way? Who wrote it? Who wrote it? It's vacant on the slip. Who wrote? These guidelines. Who came up with this stuff on these guidelines? Nobody wants to take responsibility for it? So here. I would like to submit this to the records, please. It's kind of how it works around here, huh? Let's keep the accountability under the table, right? Let's create terminologies that sound great, right? They're kind of like rationalized, rationalized, things that sound like the truth but are not. So here we are. Guidelines. Guidelines are not enough. Imperial County needs enforceable ordinances, not suggestions, checklists, or voluntary promises from developers. Yeah. Banned data centers, right? And banning data centers would cause some lawsuits as well. But there's other things to do, right? You can remove data centers from by right use everywhere. Require discretionary review from every data center. Require a conditional use permit. Development equipment agreement and board level. Public hearings. Require a full sequel review on every data center coming into this valley. Every one of them. It would stop the lawsuits. Create an environmental justice protection overlay zone. You guys have the power to do this and you're squandering it. Expand sensitive receptor setbacks. A thousand feet. How about let's start with ten miles. Require water neutrality. Expand water neutrality. And water positivity. IAD's already doing the rape and protection thing. Create strict best separation rules. You guys can do this, but you're not. You're standing up for your family. For familial projects. And they're here waiting to talk too. Ranchos Los Lagos. Gone. And now Mesquite Lake. You guys are trying to push. It's trying to get out from underneath it and trying to deceive the public. Instead of working for the public. That is what we're doing. That is taxpayer dollars being wasted. Right here doing this right now. This whole thing is a waste of taxpayer dollars. I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat, independent, or libertarian or anything. Just being here. Require a super majority vote. Adopt a cumulative impact cap. If there's industry in various areas in that, in that, you know, within however many square miles, put a cap on it. You can't put one there. And be okay with it. So anyway. The county already has tools. And Imperial Valley. Okay. So Imperial Valley is not a sacrifice zone or hyper computing. The public is not asking the county to manage data centers better. But we are asking the county to ban them. Thank you.
Sarah Solorzano	1:47:05	My name is Sarah Solorzano. And I'm here on behalf of Congressman Dr. Roll Ruiz. Who is currently traveling to Washington D.C. But has asked me to be here to deliver the statement personally. And I quote. Hello Imperial County Board of Directors, staff and residents in Imperial Valley. I am currently traveling to Washington D.C. and unable to be there. I unequivocally oppose the proposed data centers in Imperial Valley and urge local officials to prevent them from happening. The data is clear. Data centers in their current form and near neighborhoods reduce life expectancy, pollute the air, worsen asthma rates, increase energy costs, and require more water than we can afford. There's also a concern regarding the impact of a heat dome effect on vulnerable people and the mental health effects of constant noise pollution. The people of Imperial Valley have been clear about where they stand. I agree with them. I am asking local officials to act and protect the health, the water, and the future of every family who calls this valley home, end quote. Congressman Reese has requested that this statement and letter be entered into the official public record. Thank you.
Susan Ferrar-Paradis	1:48:28	Good morning. It's me again. I went through your proposed resolution, pretty detailed, and I created my requests and recommendations, giving them to you so that you can refer to them. And I'll... I'll just go as fast as I can through them. So, the number five whereas, one, two, three, four, five, because certain uses may be permitted by right under existing zoning classifications. My note to that is I would like this paragraph to include the current data project from Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing. I need to know if this is current or if this is just for future. So, I would like that clarified. Under direction to staff, I made an error. It is not the foregoing. It is the above mention. Please note the above mention isn't true and correct because the Board of Supervisors is in violation by not having a CEQA report. You are not exempt. And if you're... Your council is telling you that, you need new counsel. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. With respect to my recommendation for this whole process, when I Googled guidelines for data centers, there are none, federal or state. So, there are, however, each section of a data center, electricity, you know, energy, noise pollution, water, those have guidelines. My whole point is... Your staff by their own admission, us included, we're not data center experts. We need... This has to be independent. Someone, independent consultant is my recommendation. With respect to item three, exhibit A, land use and siting standards. Number one, elimination by right development. Does this mean that the county will apply for a CEQA report regarding the status center? Number two, residential and site development. Number three, the city's ото version of long term filling point social Capstone threat Se creator vision clear состояни состояни 真的
Robert Powell	1:51:47	My name is Robert Powell. I live in Imperial. I'm addressing you today actually as a proponent of responsible development, but that support is strictly contingent on leadership that respects California procedural and planning laws rather than relying solely on developers' assurances that mitigation measures are adequately addressed. Regarding the proposed guidelines, I understand the intent to streamline development processes, but streamlining cannot come at the expense of adequate impact analysis or clear commitments to mitigate those impacts. Significant gaps in transparency, comprehensive environmental analysis, and required mitigation measures must be resolved before any such guidelines are approved. Specifically, I have several critical concerns regarding the current proposal. First, the document's cover sheet fails to identify its author or source, but it smells of Supervisor Kelly, perhaps one other of you, and probably the developer. This submission raises a serious question. Is this Board once again relying on project proponents to draft documentation that should be independently generated by county staff? Second, the proposed guidelines mandate only a 1,000-foot buffer between data centers and vulnerable community members, including residents, schools, and daycare facilities. Given what this community has recently experienced, establishing such a minimal setback is deeply concerning. It seems to indicate that after all we've been through, you're still in the process of finding a way to address the problems that are present in the community. This is a very disturbing and very disturbing decision. Had enough of this. Third, and most alarmingly, this resolution completely omits any requirement for data centers to conduct comprehensive health impact assessments. Obviously an intentional omission. Indeed, under the heading Air Quality and Environmental Standards, there is absolutely no mandate to assess the emissions impact of a proposed project. This omission is particularly unacceptable. Given the Board's concerns. The Board's recent handling of the Aiton Road project, where adequate assessment of air quality impacts was not required. Furthermore, proponents of that project continue to present a fundamentally flawed health risk assessment. Their HRA fails to evaluate long-term operational scenarios and neglects to include a cumulative analysis to determine if the project's emissions, when combined with existing baseline pollution, breach harmful levels. And they're still holding that up as proof that this doesn't have any adverse impacts on our health. In conclusion. A review of this resolution suggests that this Board has learned very little from the Aiton Road situation. It appears to be another attempt to bypass the rigorous impact analysis and concrete mitigation commitments required by CEQA. I urge the Board to reject these guidelines in their current form and mandate that all future development frameworks prioritize legal compliance, transparency, and public health. In fact, why not just adopt a resolution that states that all data centers, including the present project, be analyzed using an EIR? Thank you. Thank you.
Francisco Leal	1:55:00	Francisco Leal. IMA team talks about guidelines and resolutions. What are guidelines? A non-binding set of instructions, principles, or best practices designed to help the health care system and people achieve a specific goal, but not legal penalties for ignoring them. These are used for advising paint colors and dress code suggestions. We can see guidelines aren't fit for addressing a hyperscale data center. What is a resolution? A formal statement of policy, opinion, or a one-time administrative action. It directs how the government operates itself. But it doesn't change local code. It doesn't include penalties either. It's so weak that it can pass with a single vote in one meeting without advance notification. These are to create a holiday or to adopt a personnel manual. A resolution is not up to the level of authority the community needs to be protected from hyperscale data centers. You know what we need? We need an ordinance that regulates people, property, data centers. It is permanent and it carries the full weight of authority. Violations of an ordinance results in penalties, fines, et cetera. It requires multiple readings, public hearings, and public official publications. An ordinance fits better the needs of the community when it comes to hyperscale data centers. It will address zoning, loss, and maintain other areas of concern derived from the development of hyperscale data centers, especially close to homes, schools, and in a nonattainment county. We are coming to realize that more data centers are being considered by the county as we speak. And given the recent history, the odds these will move forward are very high. Why do you make these decisions when all the negative impacts are in front of you? These decisions make no sense to us. To sum up, our solutions as Actui change those limits of priority that untrain those organizations Furthermore, but your own staff. 1516 viele More than 100 Um я sectors from others who come from means about 13 months ago but guidelines and resolutions fit in any existing ordinance. The only way to do that is by first, of course, you wanting to do that and support the community. If you want to do it, you can do it. And second, place an immediate moratorium. Give yourself that time. Give yourself that time to really work with the community and make us feel represented and safe. And as a bonus, a lot of people you see here and in social media, we may go back to not care about your business. Just as we were before the data center was brought into our life. Thank you. . Victor Sassata, you're next. . Okay.
Christian Salgado	1:57:58	Good afternoon, Imperial County Board of Supervisors. For the past six months, a growing coalition of concerned residents have consistently appeared before the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission to oppose the Imperial Data Center project and raise concerns about zoning ordinance that frankly encourage and facilitate the rapid and irresponsible expansion of massive AI data center development throughout unincorporated Imperial County. We are very grateful to the board of supervisors for their support. We are deeply dissatisfied with item 18, the discussion action regarding adoption of a resolution related to data centers in Imperial County. While we appreciate the acknowledgement that data center development requires greater scrutiny, we strongly urge the board to reject the proposed resolution in its current form and instead take meaningful action by adopting an immediate one-year moratorium on all new AI data center applications and approvals within unincorporated Imperial County. My pants are bugging me. On August 14th, March 14th, meeting was今天 . With public assembly beginning at 9am an грimen County Council member entered into office with full expectation that his county may adopt an amendment or refresh trailing block code had already been implemented by individual. With public assembly beginning at 9am an 그렇 killer struggle ensued which원 Pacima County Council member Last August In December 2020 the OS debt fee年 expensive 凘凛 laws STAThouse reports developers will be subject to new legal obligations and that those obligations will be upheld by the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and other county agencies. A resolution is nothing more than an expression of a policy with no explicit binding requirements included in its language. Residents are well aware of the overwhelming interest in AI data center development in our county, including new applications that have been submitted. This interest extends beyond the Imperial Data Center project, beyond Lithium Valley, and includes every county-approved specific plan. Ranchos Los Largos, the Mesquite Lake, where developers could potentially argue that such project could be permitted by right and therefore avoid discretionary review under CEQA. Furthermore, this resolution does nothing to address the Imperial Data Center project, which bypassed proper environmental review, was granted a lot merger by the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and other county agencies. This resolution is not only a violation of the αλλά sina Waiting chairwoman woman and members of the board.
Victor Sesueta	2:01:22	My name's Victor Sesueta. I live at 1603 Farmer Drive. I was born in Brawley. I grew up in El Centro. And I chose to return to El Centro to buy a house, and I live here. I have four brothers and four sisters. Each one of us had to leave the Valley to get education. And we all, most of us, all about eight of us decided to return. And now this is our community. And I have a right to talk about protecting our community. There's a couple of issues I have with this resolution. Number one is the item two, where it gives a 1,000 foot setback. And that is way too little, especially since it's next, it's less than 500 feet from that fuel facility on the corner. It needs to be, like someone said, 10,000 feet. So I also have some other issues with the project that applicants shall commission an independent infrastructure impact assessment evaluation. Hasn't the developer already completed this for this project? That was my question. I mean, that's what an environmental impact report would do. Also, the project shall materially diminish existing utility, reliability, or service levels. You know, some of this language is a little bit too squishy, and I think it's liable for interpretation and possibly future litigation. There's also questions in item five on non-sub, on the on-site electrical infrastructure, but it doesn't mention battery storage at all. So it needs to be specific. Item six, the microgrid and energy resilience integration. Developers are encouraged. Who encourages developers? It should be required. Developers should be required to incorporate. Again, that same language is used in item eight, where it says projects utilizing energy storage shall prioritize technologies. Why not require? So there's some problems with this resolution. I think it needs to be strengthened, and so that we would have a better understanding of where you guys are. What I think is you guys are trying to placate us. Rather than require a CEQA, an environmental impact report, you're trying to feed us this resolution. Mr. Sassueta, your time is up. Well, thank you very much.
Gina Brister-Snow	2:04:47	My name is Gina Brister-Snow. When I first read this resolution, I thought, wow. A document that reads like a list of everything the public was criticized for caring about. But acknowledgment is not protection, because after reading this resolution, one question still hangs over all of it. Would the project that brought us here still move forward? And if the answer is yes, then what exactly has changed? If the document is filled with studies, reviews, disclosures, and recommendations, I'm sorry, this document is filled with studies, reviews, disclosures, and recommendations. It spends far more time discussing how impact will be documented than how they will be prevented. The public didn't ask for better paperwork. They asked for protection. And even if we generously call these protections, many of them come with caveats. The resolution promises greater scrutiny than quietly gives the county the right to exempt itself from it. The phrase, the county determines, appears when the strongest protections should be there. Because a safeguard that depends on the discretion of the very people being asked to exercise their right to protect themselves, and the right to exercise their strength, is not much of a safeguard at all. It's a loophole. And after months of being told there was little discretion in this process, it's remarkable to suddenly discover how much discretion still exists. The resolution talks about setbacks, but protections that can be waived are not protections. They're suggestions. And perhaps the most frustrating part of this resolution is not what it says. It's what it doesn't say. It does not slow anything down. It does not create a moratorium while these concerns are evaluated. It does not pause the very project that gave rise to these concerns in the first place. And now there's news there's another data center project during the contention this board is already embroiled in. So this board acknowledges the need for safeguards while allowing the controversy that created them to continue moving forward. Because if another data center application is already moving through the same framework that brought us here, then this resolution is not a safeguard. It's a press release. The safeguards come later. Oh, but the consequences, they come first. The language throughout this resolution is revealing. When describing the risks, the board speaks with certainty. When describing accountability, it suddenly becomes flexible. Should, may, where feasible, where applicable. It's amazing how quickly conviction disappears when it's time to commit to a solution. And then there is the timing. Today is election day. The same way residents notice the timing of a lot merger hearing scheduled during spring break, they notice the timing of this discussion as well. Because timing matters, and communities have long memories. Two seats are on the ballot today. Two more are the subject of active recall efforts. Interesting timing. Lastly, Madam Chair, referring to your community, you recently stated in your response to your recall, I would never cast a vote to harm it. Yet today, your own resolution acknowledges the very risks this community has spent months warning you about. So either those concerns were legitimate all along, or you are asking the public to applaud a solution to a problem you spent months suggesting did not exist. The public can decide which explanation they find more convincing. Thank you.
Rene Felix	2:08:11	My name is Rene Felix. Just a moment, Rene. Please, everyone, let's be respectful of all the speakers. Thank you. We have a clerk that will handle that. Thank you, though. Thank you. Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon, Chair and members of the board. We support the county's efforts to develop clear guidelines for data centers projects so that future development is planned responsibly for public communication from members of the board. and benefits our communities. We also encourage an advisory community that includes labor representatives to help provide workforce input as these policies are developed. As we create good jobs, we must also maintain strong standards that protect our communities and quality of life. We look forward to working with the county to ensure these projects create quality jobs and long-term opportunities for Imperial County residents. Thank you.
Michelle Hollinger	2:09:23	Good morning, Madam Chair, Board of Supervisors. Michelle Hollinger with Victoria Homes. Again, I'm going to state that I am pro-development, but it has to be responsible development. I thought that I could come up and actually... do this business-wise, but this is a joke. It's a joke. You guys are exposed. We've been telling you that for months, that the zoning hasn't been able to protect us, right? So, and I know that you're saying, oh, well, we started a resolution, and I have requested that. But this resolution is not 100%. I need your ducks in a row. That's the nicest way I can say it. You need to have a moratorium so that you can do that. So you can take the time and put 100% into protecting yourself and protecting the public. A job worth doing half is not going to cut it. I may suggest putting together a committee to having one of these colleagues of mine help you. I'm sure they'd do it for free. We've been trying. I work for free. Okay. Please, I urge you, do better. We deserve it. Thank you. Thank you, Michelle. Yes, yes.
Anai Arisa	2:11:41	Madam Chair, my name is Anai Arisa. I'm the policy and community researcher with Imperial Valley Equity and Justice. I'm here to speak on agenda item 18 regarding the resolution on data centers in Imperial County. While the resolution attempts to put some safeguards into place regarding the development of data centers, the resolution is still a far cry from the necessary protections our residents deserve. The resolution still allows for the development of data centers in the county approved specific plans, like the Misty Lake and more specifically, the Lithium Valley specific area that is subject to approval by this board. The Lithium Valley specific area allows for data centers for up to 1.3 million square feet, larger than the proposed data center project in Imperial, to be permitted by right. Further, the LVSP and the PIR do not impose a limit for how many of those resource-consuming entities can be developed in the green industrial zone. The LVSP endeavors to impose a limit on the use of data centers in the region. The LVSP also does not impose limits on energy used, where the LVSP requires that data centers must be powered by an average of 30% or more renewable energy sources. This requirement is insufficient to meaningfully mitigate climate and air quality impacts, especially in a region that is overburdened, already experiencing high rates of respiratory illnesses and extreme heat vulnerability. Residents of Calipatria, residents of Imperial County, and in general do not deserve to be sacrificed to the rise of AI and emerging technologies. Our residents have repeatedly made it clear that data centers do not belong in Imperial County. Besides all other concerns that come from air pollution, energy and water consumption, these centers are not aligned with the producing of the amount of high-quality jobs that are so pivotal to this county. Listen to your residents. They have taken the time and energy, they have made enormous sacrifices to be here today to make you listen. Impose a moratorium at minimum on data centers, if not all right, ban them. Thank you. Following Sheila Edwards, Flavio Grijalva.
Sheila Edwards	2:13:59	Hello, my name is Sheila Edwards. I'm a resident of El Centro. I am here to urge you all to vote against this resolution and vote for a moratorium on data centers. We know it can be done. As evidenced by the councils of Calipat, Brawley and Imperial that recently passed moratoriums for their cities. Back in April, many of us watched you all approve a lot merger, four to one. This essentially helped give the project legs to advance. A major concern is the zoning regulations in place. As it stands, they call for data centers to be approved by right, meaning approval without the evocation of CEQA, no environmental reviews or reports. Common sense and decency dictates that. Such reports and reviews be performed as they are tools to gauge potential threats and harm that could negatively impact us residents and our environment. From what I've heard, from what many of us have heard today, this resolution is a farce. On the surface, it's presented as a resolution to generate protections from data centers, but when we delve deeper, it comes off as a ploy to pull the wool over our eyes while making it easier to expedite future data center projects. For months, we have been working on this resolution, and we have been asking for transparency. It's disheartening to think that our hope and trust are being taken advantage of. Please don't let that be the case. Please hear our pleas. I implore you all to vote no on the resolution and yes on the moratorium. Thank you. Following Mr. Grijalva, Reyna Adame. Good afternoon, Chair, members of the Board.
Flavio Grijalva	2:15:48	My name is Flavio Grijalva, and I'm here as a resident of Imperial County today. I'm here to speak in strong opposition to the proposed large-scale data center near the residential neighborhoods or anywhere within the County of Imperial. This project has been advanced without addressing the serious concerns raised not only by residents, but by the City of Imperial itself who started it. When the City, the jurisdiction directly impacted, formally opposes a project of this magnitude, the County has a responsibility to stop, evaluate, and respond. Moving forward without doing so is irresponsible governance and dismissive of the community you represent. A data center of this size brings major impacts that have not been adequately addressed. You've heard it already multiple times. First, the energy demand is enormous. Large data centers consume electricity equivalent to thousands of homes, operating 24 hours a day in a region already facing grid challenges. This project risks higher rates, grid instability, and increased reliance on fossil fuel generation, all of which directly affect Imperial Valley residents. Second, the water use is incompatible with our region. Data centers often require millions of gallons of water per year for cooling. In an arid valley where water security is a long-term concern, adding a new industrial-scale water user next to homes is not responsible planning. Third, diesel backup generators pose a real public health risk. These generators run not only during emergencies, but also during routine testing. Communities near similar facilities have reported increased noise, particulate pollution, and respiratory impacts. In a valley that already struggles with air quality, placing a diesel-intensive facility next to a neighborhood is unacceptable. Fourth, the noise and 24-7 operations will permanently change the character of the surrounding communities. Cooling systems, fans, and generator testing create constant noise and vibrations. Once built, these impacts cannot be undone. Fifth, the economic benefit to Imperial County is extremely limited. Data centers create very few permanent jobs and often receive substantial tax incentives. This means residents absorb the impact, while most of the benefits leave the community. This pattern is not new. The Board previously approved one of the largest solar farms in the Western Hemisphere, as well as the Ocotillo Wind Farms. Those projects brought limited jobs, minimal economic impact, and none of the energy generated goes to Imperial County residents. It is exported outside of the county. The data center continues that same pattern. Large industrial projects placed in our backyard with the benefits exported elsewhere. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Board to reject the sitting of data centers near residential areas, or really anywhere in the county, and to fully address the City's concerns, who are issuing moratoriums on this, require a comprehensive environmental and public health impact review, and explore alternative locations that do not place this burden on the community. Mr. Grijalva, your time is up.
Reyna Adame	2:19:05	Good morning, Board. Today, this community is demanding an outright ban of data centers because it is the only clear definitive safeguard they have. However, I want to talk about safeguards, real safeguards, by suggesting we look at this proposed resolution through the lens of comparative politics. The cracks in our system will become obvious. In your draft guidelines, you merely encourage microgrids and renewable energy integration. China, however, requires data centers to hit renewable targets and prove it, year after year, tracked and forced 10% annual increase in renewables for their old data centers. I heard something about 30% renewable, you know, like, encouragement. Well, new data centers in China demand 80% clean power from day one. This clearly shows the difference between a standard and a press release. Furthermore, China enforces absolute non-negotiable power usage effectiveness caps at 1.3 or lower. And a PUE is a way to determine how much waste is being used. So 1.3 means that 0.3 watts are wasted on overhead-like cooling. So we have to monitor that. The developer, let's see, the developer, Uchi, claims that the IVCM project is a top-of-the-line hyperscaler, so it should be subjected to a minimum of 10% of the total waste. It's a top-of-the-line standard with enforced transparency and binding targets, not mere promises. Your approach to noise in the 1,000-foot buffer zone is a localized band-aid. In China, there are no local NIMBY movements against data centers because the national plan mandates their geographic placement. Heavy resource-straining AI centers are forced out to remote western regions where renewable energy is generated, completely banned from being dropped next to residential neighborhoods, schools, or even agricultural farms. In America, it's complete market anarchy. Local governments are left in an effectless position. Acting as agents of capital because the capitalist class of the country thinks everything is up for sale. Reality be damned. It doesn't matter that we live in a desert with a strained energy grid. It doesn't matter that we're already over-allocating water from the Colorado River. It doesn't matter that only one AI company right now is actually profitable, Nvidia. The company making the AI computer chips, basically the company selling the shovels during the gold rush. And their own CEO, Jensen Wang, admits that China's energy capacity and streamlined construction process gives them competitive advantages in the AI race that we don't have. And isn't that what Uchi says he wants? Streamline, buy right, no sequel, no opposition, I would dismiss him, right? But you want to know why China actually streamlines their data centers? Because their projects go where the grid can handle them, right? Not where a speculator bought some cheap desert land next to neighborhoods. China's standards exist because they treat data centers as unique industrial infrastructure, requiring unique industrial oversight. We should too, but this resolution isn't oversight. It's a 45-day delay to say that you did something, right? While Uchi keeps on grading. So we need you to raise your standards, reject the resolution, and do what the community is telling you. Ban AI data centers. Thank you.
Lorena Menor Montes	2:21:53	I had good morning, but it's good afternoon. Lorena Menor Montes, Madam Chair, Board of Supervisors. First of all, I want to take the time to thank the working community, the working class of Imperial County, who continuously takes time off of their vacation to come in and speak at these meetings. It's not easy having to be here while most of them have to work. Thank you for that. Today I come before you to ask to place a moratorium on the data centers and not approve this resolution. I ask myself, why is it that the smallest incorporated city, Calipatria, is setting an example for the county and the rest of the cities? While the data centers can bring investment in some economic activity, it is still a what if. The concern is what if. I'm troubled that the public has not received clear information after seven long months regarding the project's energy demand, water use, environmental impacts, emergency preparedness, and financial costs of supporting new infrastructure that will be added to the residents and to the employees. Before moving forward, I urge the county to require transparent impacts. We need to ensure that the city's environmental impact studies seek meaningful public participation, enforceable environmental protections, and clear accountability measures in this project. Growth should not occur in the way this project is being done. I can tell you that I currently live in a development that for the last 20 years doesn't have a certificate of occupancy. Residents have been fighting the city for over 20 years for a second entrance. During the last storm, fire safety, people were not able to get out of the city. People couldn't come in or out because it wasn't done responsibly. And that's just because we have one current entrance. It's as simple as having a second entrance where I live. For these reasons, I respectfully ask the county to delay the approval of this resolution, continue to talk about a moratorium, and address the issues that the community has continued to bring. Thank you. Following Mr. DeVos' comments, Mr. DeVos, Francis Beothby.
Tom DeBose	2:24:07	Good afternoon, Chairman, members of the Board, Tom DeVos. I'm here now to speak on the balance of the 180,000 people who live in Imperial County. Those who are dependent on new growth, new opportunities. I sat in a meeting yesterday. Where we were talking about the specific plan area around the new port of entry that had started in 1997. And hasn't really moved much until here very recently. And then very recently, we saw the opportunity of new development coming in with new industrial buildings for logistics and cross-border business. But then things beyond our control have slowed that down to a complete halt. So jobs, new revenue, new tax base, all of that is on hold beyond our control. We're hoping that that won't be permanent. We're hoping that we'll turn around here really soon. But those new construction jobs and new permanent jobs and new tax revenue for this county can get moving. Now, we also have other areas that are being planned for development. And your lithium valley, which this county and the state of California has spent a lot of money preparing for, will allow various uses. Uses that can be served by the energy that we generate here. Energy that we generate here, unfortunately, for somebody else's benefit. Because it's sent out because we don't have those uses that are demanding that energy. Taking up an area that's currently in agriculture today. And then we're going to have to do some more. Using water by the acre foot that when that starts to convert is going to take the water that we have there for ag and be able to use it with another reasonable and beneficial use for development. All creating jobs, all creating taxable revenue for the people of this county. When we talked yesterday, we talked about the needs of a fire station, fire service, essential services. Services that I'm sure as you look at this, you'll see that they're not just for the community. They're also really general activities that they'll take place as part of these conversations and action events to deliver looking up water issues in our county. What we've heard from many areas is that some water sources can look up water issues as well. Well, one thing that we've heard from many areas is that our district could bring those projects by changing their standards in order to increase its efficiency andى , take another measure that'll reach people's homes in place and provide better construction resources for those activities. If we take our federal administration action for example. To address our housing crisis. of our water to somebody else to create those jobs and opportunity elsewhere. It's time that we create those opportunities here in the Imperial County. Thank you. Following Francis, Julian, Daniel.
Francis Piovi	2:27:20	My name is Francis Piovi, and I'm a lifelong resident of Imperial County. I am here today to express my opposition on item 18 regarding data centers. Frankly, this resolution is not enough. What Imperial County needs is a moratorium on data center development until the full impacts of our community have been thoroughly studied and understood. Those of us who live here know the realities of Imperial County. Every summer, we endure weeks and often months of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. During those extreme heat events, families, seniors, businesses depend on air conditioning simply to stay safe. Those conditions already place tremendous stress on our electrical grid. Now we are being asked to consider not one, but potentially multiple data centers, facilities known to consume enormous amounts of electricity and water. The question is simple. Where will those resources come, and who will bear the cost? Thank you. I can already see the coyotes circling Imperial County. Imperial County is an agricultural community. Our farmers feed this nation and support our local economy. Water is not an unlimited resource. We have already experienced drought conditions, ongoing certainty regarding water allocations and increasing pressure from state and federal agencies over water rights and usage. The last thing we should be doing is opening the door to massive industrialization, particularly when we come into state keeping almost 200 percent of our recyclables home. Some plans put food services at risk of玩off but many Earth 때문에 impact our Wayman Bayeremeres farmhouse area. Our must occur 100 percent faster than ever because there are특 It does not protect ratepayers and it does not guarantee that future generations of Imperial County residents will have the resources they need. The coyotes are now licking their chops wanting to have us for lunch. What we need is action. We need a moratorium that pauses any approvals until independent studies are completed regarding water consumption, electrical demand, environmental impacts, agricultural impacts, and long-term costs for our community. The people of Imperial County reserve transparency and a seat at the table before decisions of this magnitude are made. Once these facilities are approved and built, the consequences cannot easily be reversed. I urge this Board to put the interests of Imperial County residents, farmers, and future generations first. Do not settle for a resolution. Adopt a moratorium and ensure the public has a meaningful voice to determine whether debt centers belong in our County. Thank you. Thank you. Following Julie and Daniel, Fabiola Moreno.
Julian Daniel	2:30:30	At the end of this speech, we're going to figure out who's listening. Remember that. The data centers are not coming here because the corporations care about the Imperial Valley, they're coming here because they have something we want. Our land, our water, our electricity, and our political leadership's willingness to say yeah. So big and beautiful, but you can't put it in Beverly Hills or Silicon Valley or anything like that, right? Because they don't want it there, that's why. We're being asked to dedicate enormous amounts of energy and water and we have all these issues with our healthcare access and infrastructure needs and economic insecurity and stuff like that. That's not progress, that's extraction. We're being taken advantage of and it's in front of our very eyes. Imperial Valley has been treated like an extraction zone forever. They'll never tell us no more of what they've done and will never count for anything or anything like that. They'll never tell us no more of what they've done in our services and everything like that. They'll never tell us no more of what they've done in our department in our healthcare They'll never tell us no more of what they've done in our healthcare department and everything they've done in our healthcare department and everything like that. They'll never tell us no more of what they've done in our healthcare department and everything They'll never tell us no more of what they've done in our healthcare department and everything like that. They'll never tell us no more of what they've done in our healthcare department and everything like that. They'll never tell us no more of what they've done in our healthcare department and everything like that. For what? For the billionaires to become more efficient? That's not a vision. That's surrender. Stop gambling with our future. Impose a moratorium. Reject the project entirely, if you ask me, until someone can prove the benefits to our residents, outweigh the cost to our community, and explain everything. Because our children deserve more than promises. They deserve protection. Okay? Amari Nguyen-Keriotis. The clerk's letter states that this resolution is intended to ensure transparency, responsible development, and protection of the county interest. Document page two. But when we read the fine print, it opposes the truth. The resolution quietly preserves by-right approval for certain data centers. The guidelines explicitly state data centers facilities shall require discretionary reviews except within the county approved scientific plan areas where such facilities and other expressly identified or determined by the county are substantially similar. So you got to make the glove fit so you can still slap us? Great. There's a massive loophole. It means that if the developer can argue that the project is substantially similar, they can still bypass CEQA and public hearings. Exactly what happened to the Aiton Clark project, right? This resolution does not close a loophole. It codifies it. The resolution acknowledges that some data centers are already permitted by right and does nothing to stop it. The recites state, certain data center uses may be currently permitted by right and may not constitute discretionary projects for purposes of CEQA. Interesting. This is the county admitting the problem and they're choosing not to fix it. The problem is still there, but we're choosing not to fix it. We're making it fit so we can still kick people in the behind. Okay? The board is being asked to adopt guidelines before analysis is complete. Okay? The board is being asked to adopt guidelines before analysis is complete. The resolution directs staff to return in 45 days with potential amendments, but exhibit A, the guidelines, they're already attached for and ready for adoption. This is backwards and you're going to be asked to approve a framework before the analysis to inform that it even exists. So like I said, let's watch who's listening to the room. Everybody who's opposed to a data center who is listening, shake your head no. For me. Everybody. Everybody who's for it, shake your head yeah. Notice how the board didn't do nothing. Thank you. Mr. Daniel. Following Fabiola Moreno, John Kim.
Fabiola Moreno	2:33:45	My name is Fabiola Moreno and I work with IVW569 representing 3,700 union electricians across Imperial County and San Diego. We are hopeful that the county is now moving towards establishing safeguards and policy direction regarding data centers in Imperial County. This presents an opportunity to bring community members together for the purpose of prioritizing community needs. The environment and establish the regulations and safety standards for data center development. The electricians that we represent will be the frontline workers on these projects and our lifelong residents of this community. So we are asking and wondering the same questions as others. How will we ensure that there is local hire provisions? How will rate payers be protected? How is the county working with fire officials? How will we hold data center companies accountable and push them towards investing in our infrastructure and community? Though I do not know the exact answers to these questions, I do know that these sort of projects allow our members to enroll in our apprenticeship program, journey out, and earn livable wages where they can comfortably support their families. IWW 569 members have had to move to the Bay Area and out of state to work on several projects, including data centers. Our members have been and will continue to be trained on how to safely install and build these projects. Still, and I want to emphasize this, we do need to create a space where we can address the concerns that we have been hearing over the last seven months. And I want to conclude with this. I do believe, like I said before, that this is an opportunity to bring firefighters, labor, nonprofits, community members, the North End, Calexico, cities in between, and others to the Bay Area. And I do believe that if we can bring these partners to work together, I believe that if we're on the same page and speaking the same language and answering the questions that have been asked over this past time, we will get to regulations that actually serve the people of Imperial County. Thank you. Mr. Kim? Following Mr. Kim, Ernie Acosta? Hi, everyone.
Joong Kim	2:36:04	My name is Jun Kim. Today, when I see the, actually a few days ago, I have a, when I see the agenda, a meeting for today, and then on election day, we're going to have a meeting. And then somebody informed me to item number 18 to, they want to approve today's meeting. Thank you. So I was questioning myself, why they have to be presented election day? Maybe they're going to, they're going to, they, they, they, they're afraid to lose a council, supervisor, so they cannot go to the project? What is going on here? I felt like all day, all day, all day today, I'm listening. And then I found it. I was. The supervisor doesn't have any interest, not all the details. They just go through. But I found some supervisor's face, that they, their face is turning to the more darker complex, which is that person is going to have the issues on the blood circulations. It better be, they better think about it. But before. If they decide this one. And then I see that these movements, and I said, last time I said, the investigations. And today, I'm going to use it, the word, as these movements, mafia-grade movements. And you guys, you're supposed to be know. How to protect us. And some gentleman said, you, you guys, some of you guys have a problem with the, with the, what's called the compensation? Yes, that's true. So I, I have here a sentence. The government of the people. By the people. For the people. They change it. Say government of the supervisor. By the supervisor. For the supervisor. That's why we are here today. Do we have the same page? Or our supervisor has a different study, different English? Maybe not English. And I believe the, if we don't stop this one, if we fail to stop this one, we're not failing today. Not only failing today. We are failing. Our children's future in here. Yes. And the young ones, they are out of time. Mr. Kim, your time is up. The county, the county is going to be. Mr. Kim, your time is up. Just solar panel and some people, not many people living here. Thank you. Thank you. Following Mr. Acosta, Hector Mesa. All right. As we do not have a maximum on this part of the agenda.
Ernie Acosta	2:39:29	Good afternoon, members of the board. Today, I want to talk to you about numbers because numbers don't care about politics. Numbers don't care about opinions. Numbers don't care about excuses. Numbers tell the truth and numbers are simple. Every speaker is given three minutes. If 200 people walk through that door and exercise the right to speak that 600 minutes of public testimony, 600 minutes equals 10 hours. 10 hours. that this board will spend listening to the people it's elected to represent. Think about it for a moment. 200 represents showing up is not an accident. It is not a coincidence. It is not a small group of people making noise. It is a community sending a message. It means that people have taken time off of work. They've arranged childcare. They've driven here. They put aside their personal responsibilities because they believe this issue is important enough to stand before you and be heard. And when 200 people show up, the math changes, the conversation changes, the political reality changes, because numbers don't lie. You can disagree with one person. You can dismiss 10 people. You can overlook 20 people. But when hundreds of residents stand in line to speak, that's not a complaint anymore. That's a movement. That's public participation. That's democracy in action. And if it takes 10 hours for every person to speak, that's a movement. That's public participation. That's democracy in action. And if it takes 10 hours for every voice to be heard, then so be it, because the people of this county deserve to be heard. The public is not here for convenience. The public is not here to fit neatly into a schedule. The public is here because these decisions affect their families, their jobs, their future, their community. So if 200 people show up, then this board will hear 200 people, not because we're asking for permission, not because we're seeking a favor, but because public participation is right. The numbers are clear. 200 people, three minutes each, 10 hours. Numbers don't lie. And those numbers will show exactly how strongly this community feels about the decisions being made in this room. I want to mention something. This building belongs to us. Those computers that you guys are using belong to us. This podium, that podium, these mics belong to us. And by me saying us, I'm saying we, the people. Thank you. Following Mr. Mesa, Shelby Trim.
Hector Meza	2:42:09	Good morning, supervisors. My name is Dr. Mesa. Thanks for the community for raising your voices. That's how stuff changes. New efficient development happens because of it. For example, direct-to-ship liquid cooling is a near zero water consumption and closed-loop systems, which use little to no water, are now starting to be used on new data centers. Thanks to the supervisor for bringing language that sets some rules. I don't agree with total bans, but again, thanks for raising your voices. I like some of the language, but it still needs some teat. I like that it puts a burden on the developer. Have them pay for our grid. Have them pay for studies. Have them pay for anything that we need in order to have their development done. Work should be done responsibly. Out of the state level, IBEW is working with legislation to protect the communities. Sorry. Also I like the idea of building an advisor committee. It's a great idea. It's a great idea. Can we build some council meetings with city officials in order to τ có assist them in finding common ground for asking questions that could represent types of businesses that need people's awareness and costs and opportunities for aspect development? Are there days when they need some perspective for somebody who won't come up with their vision for success and panache for public safety? Next question? Did you ask about behavior changes a long time ago? Is there any input for social justice since when did we learn about behavior changes to environmental label systems and climateiday situations? [the questions above are garbled ASR, not yet checked against audio] ... yes for an ordinance. I basically, I don't approve total bans, but yes to responsible development. Thank you.
Shelby Trimm	2:44:04	Good afternoon, Chairwoman Price, Honorable Board of Supervisors. For the record, my name is Shelby Trimm. I'm the Executive Director of the Coalition of Labor, Ag, and Business, otherwise known as CoLab. CoLab represents around 200 businesses here in the Imperial Valley. We're a pretty diverse group, ranging from farmers to construction companies to labor unions. Again, very diverse group. I've received many calls from my membership, even just this morning alone, very upset that they aren't able to be here today to voice their support. So happy to speak on their behalf today. I'm here in support of Agenda Item 18 and the Board's effort to establish guidelines for future data center development in Imperial County. We believe this is the right approach. It demonstrates the importance of the data center's role in the development of data center development and the importance of the data center's role in the development of data center development. It demonstrates that the Board has spent considerable time evaluating this issue, listening to all public comments, and thoughtfully considering both the opportunities and concerns associated with data center development. Rather than reacting to individual projects as they arise, the County is creating a framework that provides transparency, consistency, and accountability moving forward. The development of these guidelines also sends a positive signal to businesses and investors that Imperial County remains open to responsible economic development. Imperial County has a unique opportunity to attract investment and create jobs by utilizing the energy resources that already exist here. I am confident these projects will strengthen our economy and support essential public services. I also commend the Board for choosing a proactive planning approach rather than pursuing a moratorium. Establishing clear expectations allows the county to address community concerns while continuing to Arist hören to welcome responsible investment and job creation. CoLab looks forward to participating in this process and working with all stakeholders to ensure that these guidelines reflect the best interest of Imperial County. Thank you for your time and consideration. Following Mr. Morales, Bernadette Mata.
Michael Antonio Morales	2:46:23	Okay, good afternoon board. This data resolution you have, as a board, have decided to approve does nothing but a self-serving gesture to stroke your ego and your conscience. It does nothing to address the concerns of citizens of Imperial County. Eliminate by rights. The language in the resolution states approval except for those in county approval specific area plans. This resolution begins by indicating it is a guide with the intent of supplementing ordinances, zoning regulations, and specific area plans. This statement is a joke. Seeing how you as board direct, develop, and improve all of these to serve your personal interests. Thank you. Buffer requirements at least a thousand feet. This does nothing to protect residential homes and schools from fire explosions and chemical spills. If you had any concern for the community, you would propose a three to five mile radius buffer zone at minimum. Water consumption disclosure. The language states applicant shall provide transparent documentation of water consumption. There has been a strong discussion about this and I would like to hear your opinion on this. Today's resolution states that pass alone doesn't forms form even under basic regulation as laid out for civil prend 있습니다 on today's agenda the состояни et adoptable by law should not even set outside of line whichbl often defined by setting outside of line whichbl often defined by setting outside of appear running against communities sa спicular signs The состояни et adoptable by contract Cam 📍 Endesp形 Somebody else defitarianism without�로cksаз ability to Endesa Suchgressions across state may lead to Buddha Has nothing Last engagement without состояни et adoptable by authority according to Resolution states run after National Observation Committee By Law aquí estaiez estaáveliking rev선 Flores Ethical Qual yüz melimpoco It's offensive and disrespectful. It's as if each one and every one of you just spat on our face while giving us the middle finger. That's how egregious this resolution is, but it's not surprising. It speaks of the character of this board. It highlights this board's willingness to sell off our resources, our health, and our existence of this Imperial Valley to the highest bidder for personal enrichment. You all took an oath to administer and lead this county in the best interests of all, not just a selected few. But the actions of this board doesn't reflect the best interest of your constituents. This board has lost the trust of the residents of Imperial County and has lost the ability to lead. This is a prime example of why term limits are necessary to lead this county. This is a prime example of why term limits are necessary and an oversight committee is needed. You as a board have one last opportunity to make things right. Mr. Morales, your time is up. Approve. Mr. Morales. A moratorium. Thank you.
Bernadette Mata	2:49:45	Good morning. Well, good afternoon. Thank you so much for the time and for listening to us. This is longer than I expected. I'm here today because of her. And I don't mean to be cheesy or cliche, but I messaged a few of my other mom friends last night and said, you know, are you coming? And they said, no, we can't work babysitting. And when she woke up today, she said, the data center meeting. You want to say something? There we go. Go, Daniela. Yeah. Be brave. Be brave. Be brave. So the data center is not going to help with anything. So it is going to make people sick for a long time. So we need to be certain about not building it. No one can build the data center. So we need to not build it. But they want to build it. You say this was verybb stayme still during your shift to hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from hospital from suk And it's the same with this. When you see something wrong, you need to go to the authorities and talk to them about it. We are here because we love Imperial Valley. We love it so much. And we want to see a future, a bright future here for the Valley. We have so much potential. And really, we have everything on our end to make this a wonderful place. Please don't plague it with data centers. This is not good for us. Don't plague it with that. You can do so much with development. And I really look forward to seeing you change your mind, protect your people, and you've benefited from the Valley, so have I. Protect it. That's all we're asking for. Thank you. Timothy Kelly. Next. Timothy Kelly, following Mark Muliner.
Timothy Kelley	2:52:20	Madam Chair, honorable board, Timothy Kelly, Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation. Our organization represents over 100 businesses here in the Imperial County with thousands of employees. As I've said before, we have research, data systems, and a number of other resources. We have a number of organizations that are working with data centers and have been trying to attract them to the Imperial County for many years. I have one question for you you don't have to answer. How many of you have visited a data center? I know one of you have. I have. There's a lot of experts in this building about data centers. The question is, what do they really know? Because a lot of the information that continually is said here in this building is misinformation. How many times have we told you that data centers are a place where you can get data? How many times have we told you that the backup generators are going to be natural gas, not diesel, and yet it's heard today? How many times have we told that there's 160,000 acres that were left in the Colorado River? That there's 25,000 acre feet that's set aside for industry and only 22,000 that's still available? You notice everybody says all of a sudden farmers are the good guys. The only group not opposing data centers in Imperial County are farmers because they know that the use of water is not faint amount compared to what they use but the output is ten times the amount which is going to pay for the roads and the infrastructure for them to be able to farm those are the things that are misinformation it's out there and I think we need to put the facts over fear when we started this discussion than there were people that were in the vicinity of data turned to be considered and I can understand their concerns And over time, many of them have understood that maybe it's not such a bad thing, but they still don't want a data center in front of your house. Neither would you. I wouldn't. But I didn't buy a house next to an industrial park. Did I? And so therefore, but the conversation we're having today is no data centers in the Imperial County. It doesn't matter if it's 100 feet, 1,000 feet, 10,000 feet, or 100 miles. They don't care. We all use data centers. We all use AI. And we're paying for it. And others are benefiting. One of the other misnomers is that there would be no benefit to Imperial County. The taxes. This one data center that's been considered would be the largest taxpayer in the Imperial County. The largest. Not the least. The largest. And so I think when you take all those things into consideration, what you're discussing today, a lot of those safeguards are already in place in the CEQA document. I know you've all read this. Are there additional? Additional safeguards that need to be put in place? Yes. But I think that if you go through that list and you look at the CEQA document, you look at what already is being required, it already addresses those things. So you will have further discussion about this. And I support what you're doing. And I support that moving forward. Thank you very much. Whoa! Comparison. Order. Okay. That's enough.
Mark Mulliner	2:55:47	Good afternoon, supervisors. Madam Chair, Vice Chair, I'm coming from a different position here. I'm coming from a position of somebody who has been in the audience disagreeing with certain policy. Three years ago, we started on a policy. Or we started. We started on a relationship together trying to get to a policy. And it took three years to get there. And it took building trust. And it took the communication. It took to recognizing that we're not going to get everything we want because the ordinance that we got approved three weeks ago was not everything we wanted as the State Construction Building Construction Trades Council. The local building trades and the state building trades represents people. We don't represent developers. We don't represent contractors. We represent people. And the people that we represent have good lives and make good livings. And as a person that I believe has built a trust, a position of trust with this council over the last three years with a previous executor, a previous couple of board supervisors, and the community, because our members are in the community. The local building trades, 569, the laborers local has brick and mortar in the community. Everybody. Everybody wants to see this community succeed. A moratorium is not an answer. A moratorium is a response. And what we're hoping for at the state building trades and the local building trades, we're hoping to work with the supervisors, with the local. We would love to have an ad hoc committee created that we can actually work with. I want to get to know the people here that are so passionate that have been here because I've been coming for three years. And. Tomorrow. The passion that I see here. I have the same passion for workers. And I want people to make good livings and have jobs. And the thing about this is the ordinance that got passed three weeks ago has local hire, skilled and trained, prevailing wage. It has the best of any anywhere in the California or the country. The resolution is a start. It's a good start. I don't know that the labor standards. I can't tell you that. We. Agree with the labor standards. I can tell you that that the labor standards, those similar standards were presented to us several years ago, probably two years ago. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that what happened in the last 40 years with the current and existing facilities that are here do not get away with what they've done 40 years ago. So going forward, if we could just work together, if if the supervisors could put labor with the local nonprofits, with the advocacy groups, put us together. The state building trades will come up with facts. We will come up with data in Inyo current Google Inyo current data center. 40 acre feet a year water. Your local super mega store uses 25. Your time is up. Thank you. Let me just remind the audience, please be respectful of speakers. Thank you. Can speakers be respectful of us too? Yeah. Carolina. Hi. Pauline. Carolina. Thomas. Olivas. Mr. Scurries. Thank you. Thank you. There's one way around here. You know. Hi.
Carolina	2:59:28	Good afternoon. But supervisor, my name is Carolina. Pass. This is the third time I have appearance before you to offer my public comments. Today I'm speaking regarding item 18. Several cities in Imperial Valley have vote for a moratorium on data centers from several months to years. I do not understand why you are not listening to your community. 45 days is a mockery to us. The very people don't listen to us. you represent. I have heard people who do not live in Imperial Valley claim that we have sufficient water to sustain this industry. However, the reality experienced by those for us who actually live here is quite different. There may indeed be water available, but we cannot afford to pay for it. My question then is this. If I cannot afford to pay for it now, what will become of me and my family if you continue? Or rather support this plan instead of halting them? Yesterday I learned that you not only have plans to build a data center right in my backyard in Victoria Ranch, but another one as well. Why? Why do you proceed with these plans? Why won't you listen to your citizens? Please listen to us. Just a few months ago, I didn't know who you are. I didn't even know this place. And now I stand
Carolina Paez	3:01:15	before you for the third time asking you to hear us. My name is Carolina Paez from Victoria Ranch. If I know your name now, please tell me. If I know your name now, please remember my name. I say no to data center. Thank you.
Tomas Olivas	3:01:48	Madam Chair, members, earlier a person mentioned what today is. And I just certainly before the meeting, I just want to say thank you. It's not just me. It's the entire board. So I will say just before I dive into my comments, just ask that you listen to my comments as a resident. Because the consequences of whatever you decide to do, I certainly will live with. So I just ask that. When it comes to this resolution, as any law, you look at it through the spirit of the law and the letter of it. I will say that I could see where some benefit and some gratitude is given for the spirit behind this resolution because it at least shows some level of intent. And I think that's what I will say. hope that that intent is to provide some sense of protection for the residents. However, the next part, the letter of the law, I have some criticisms of what this resolution is. I believe this resolution doesn't go far enough. I believe this resolution doesn't require CEQA for these projects, which is the bare minimum. This resolution doesn't bring any additional protection that any resident can expect to walk out of here to have. So I am humbly asking that you please consider a ban on data centers in Imperial County. If I even wanted to compromise on that stance, which I don't, it would at least be a moratorium so that you can provide that protection to residents while you tighten up this resolution. That would at least convey to all of us that you're listening to the concerns that you expect to hear from the residents. I acknowledge that there's some detriment and some harm that could come on before your residents. Citizens of Imperial County or anywhere in Southern California or California as a whole should not have to choose between revenue and clean air or water. And I feel that in this entire discussion that has been where we have been told to decide. We should not have to choose between this concept of jobs and our children's quality of life. Accepting a ban or moratorium does not prevent you from going out and seeking industry and bringing in jobs that do not put us at risk. And so I would just ask please do not make us feel like that is the choice that we have to make. So I ask you now to just ask yourself a question as you sit there. Whom do you serve? Because certainly what you do from this point out will convey that answer. Whether you're serving the residents, the voters that put you there, whether you're serving your donors, whether you're serving labor that are looking for the jobs potentials specifically in data centers, whether you're beholden to special interests or the people. So I ask you to ask yourself that question as you deliberate. Thank you.

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