Title
Consider a recommendation from the Legislative Committee to authorize the submittal of a request to Senator Anthony Cannella to introduce legislation designating portions of State Route 183 and State Route 101 in the County of Monterey as memorial highways honoring four Monterey County veterans.
Report
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider a recommendation from the Legislative Committee to authorize the submittal of a request to Senator Anthony Cannella to introduce legislation designating portions of State Route 183 and State Route 101 in the County of Monterey as memorial highways honoring four Monterey County veterans.
Summary
The Legislative Committee met on March 13, 2017, and approved a request by Supervisor Luis Alejo to recommend that the Board of Supervisors authorize the submittal of a legislative request to State Senator Anthony Cannella. If introduced and adopted, the legislation would designate portions of State Route 183 and State Route 101 in the County of Monterey as memorial highways honoring four Monterey County veterans. The measure would also request that the Department of Transportation determine the cost of appropriate signs showing these special designations and, upon receiving donations from non-state sources covering the costs, to erect appropriate signage.
Discussion
The legislative proposal would honor four fallen Monterey County veterans as follows:
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Edward Balli, age 42, from Salinas, California, a graduate of North Salinas High School, was killed in action in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on January 20, 2014, of wounds from small arms fire when he was attacked by insurgents. He received two Bronze Stars for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The proposed legislation would request the designation of a portion of State Route 183 from Davis Road to Espinosa Road in the City of Salinas, County of Monterey, as the U.S. Chief Warrant Officer Edward Balli Memorial Highway.
U.S. Army Ranger Specialist Ricardo Cerros, Jr., age 24, from Salinas, California, a graduate of Everett Alvarez High School, was killed in action in Logar Province, Afghanistan on October 8, 2011, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit. He received the Purple Heart. The proposed legislation would request the designation of a portion of State Highway 101 from John Street in the City of Salinas to Exit 317 in Chualar, County of Monterey, as the U.S. Army Specialist Ricardo Cerros, Jr. Memorial Highway.
U.S. Army Sergeant Javier Sanchez, age 28, from Greenfield, California, a graduate of Ventana Continuation High School, was killed in action in Sar Rowzah, Afghanistan on June 23, 2013, of wounds suffered when his Unit was attacked with an improvised explosive devise while on mounted patrol. He received the Afghanistan and Iraq Campaign Medals. The proposed legislation would request the designation of a portion of State Highway 101 from Arroyo Seco Road in the City of Soledad to Teague Avenue in the City of Greenfield, County of Monterey, as the U.S. Army Sergeant. Javier Sanchez Memorial Highway.
U.S. Army Specialist Vilmar Galarza Hernandez, age 21, of Salinas, California, a graduate of Everett Alvarez High School graduate, was killed in action in Zharay, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on May 26, 2012, when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal. The proposed legislation would request the designation of a portion of State Highway 183 from Highway 101 to State Route 183 at Davis Road in the City of Salinas, County of Monterey, as the U.S. Army Specialist Vilmar Galarza Hernandez Memorial Highway.
Other Agency Involvement
The County Administrative Office (CAO) Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs (IGLA) Division prepared this report with information provided by the Office of Supervisor Luis Alejo. Supervisor Alejo has been working in coordination with Senator Anthony Cannella on this proposed legislation.
Financing
Approval of this recommendation will have no impact on the County General Fund. The proposed legislation would direct the Department of Transportation to determine the cost of appropriate signs showing these special designations and, upon receiving donations from non-state sources covering the costs, to erect appropriate signage.
Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
This recommendation supports the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiative on “Public Safety”. It also supports the Boards’ Legislative Priority related to “Honoring Veterans”.
_ Economic Development
_ Administration
_ Health & Human Services
_ Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, MAIII, x3045
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant CAO, x5145
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