NEWS BRIEFS
June 19 , 2020
MVCAC Office Modified Operations
Due to COVID-19 concerns and the declaration by California with mandatory shelter in place, the AMG office and your MVCAC staff are working modified schedules remotely from home.   We are mostly able to operate business as usual, with some functions being more modified than others.   Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for any items needed.
MVCAC Corporate Member Fiscal Status Report Submission for 2020-21 Dues

It's that time of year again! Please fill out and email or fax back this year's  MVCAC Fiscal Status Report Form  for your district's MVCAC dues to be calculated.

Dues for Corporate Members are due on July 1st of each year for the fiscal year ending June 30th of the following year. Unpaid dues will be considered late on September 1st. After September 1st, a late notice will be sent which will include a $50 late payment fee. Corporate members that do not pay their dues and late fee by October 31st will be dropped from the membership rolls.

Please feel free to contact the office if you have any questions. Thank you for supporting MVCAC!
MVCAC Summer Board Meeting

July 7 th at 9:00 AM via conference call
Click here to login and view the agenda

Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 841 8150 7144
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Meeting ID: 841 8150 7144
Find your local number:  https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kvkL5mpPR
CEQA Resources

The MVCAC Regulatory Affairs Committee has created a Google Spreadsheet to provide MVCAC member agencies with resources on CEQA.  Filling out this spreadsheet will allow members to know what each other had filed and who was the responsible person at the agency to answer questions.

In This Issue
MVCAC Member Resources Re: COVID-19

MVCAC will be assembling and posting some information and templates of what some Districts have created  and shared as they manage their operations. Items like sample document for field staff to carry in addition to their ID to validate status/purpose and actions related to seasonal hires. It will be posted as it becomes available to a new members-only page on the MVCAC website.

Click the button below to login and view.
CalSurv Webinars for MVCAC Members

All of the recent CalSurv webinars have been posted on the VectorSurv  YouTube channel .
 
Subscribe to the channel if you'd like to get updates anytime new content is posted. The first four videos on the channel correspond to the recent series of webinars:
 
1. VectorSurv Gateway: Basic Configuration, Data Entry, and Mapping
Link
Target audience: All interested CalSurv Gateway users, especially those involved with surveillance programs
Material to be covered:
* User preferences and configuration options
* Data management for surveillance programs
* Surveillance sites, Arthropod collections, Arthropod pools, Sentinel chickens, Bottle bioassays
* Overview of online maps
 
2. VectorSurv Gateway: Data Analysis, Geospatial Tools, and Import/Export
Target audience: Data analysts (e.g., lab supervisors, vector ecologists)
Material to be covered: 
* Online calculators for decision-making
* Geospatial capabilities (geocoding and spatial features)
* Data management (defining site groups, arthropod worksheets and reports)
* Bulk data import/export
 
3. Using the Visual Gateway for Custom Data Visualization
Target audience: Data analysts (e.g., lab supervisors, vector ecologists, control supervisors)
Material to be covered:
* Licensing, costs, and how it works
* How to connect to the server
* The Tableau interface & user-generated dashboards
* Integrating external data
* Can I use other BI software?
 
4. CalSurv Gateway: Documenting Control Operations
Target audience: Control operations personnel
Material to be covered:
* Initial Configuration
* Defining Sources
* Recording Pesticide Applications
* Pesticide Use Reporting
MVCAC Receives Clarification From EPA on Reuse of N95 Masks

MVCAC has been pursuing clarification from both DPR and USEPA on the question of whether our districts can allow reuse or extended use of N95 masks during pesticide applications. Due to the shortage of these masks and the probability of individual pesticide application not requiring 8 hours of continuous use we have been seeking clarification.
 
We have   attached the guidance  that was provided by USEPA that provides a number of options for reuse, extended life of mask use, or alternative masks approved in other countries, i.e. KN95.
 
Please remember that we have not yet received notification that DPR agrees with the interpretation and guidance provided by USEPA. We expect that decision to be communicated shortly but in the meantime DPR interpretation is controlling. We will provide that decision by DPR once it is received.
Effectiveness of N95 Respirator Decontamination and Reuse against SARS-CoV-2 Virus

The coronavirus pandemic has created worldwide shortages of N95 respirators. We analyzed 4 decontamination methods for effectiveness in deactivating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus and effect on respirator function. Our results indicate that N95 respirators can be decontaminated and reused, but the integrity of respirator fit and seal must be maintained.

Click here to read more from the CDC
Cal. Dept. of Public Health - Vector-Borne Disease Section 2020 Plague Surveillance Program

To all interested parties and agencies:
 
The California Department of Public Health, Vector-Borne Disease Section (VBDS) oversees a statewide surveillance program for plague in California that includes clinical illness in humans and domestic pets, serologic evidence of exposure to Yersinia pestis in rodents and wild carnivores, and detection of infection in rodents and other wild animals. In areas where plague is endemic, VBDS encourages collaborating agencies to contribute to surveillance efforts through the submission of biological specimens for plague testing.
 
The attached letter contains introductory information on the suitability of specimens for testing, sampling techniques, data acquisition, VBDS contact information, and shipping requirements necessary to participate in the program. Feel free to contact me for further information, additional questions, or serological sampling materials. An updated version of the VBDS mammal collection form is also attached.
 
Thank you for your cooperation,
 
Greg Hacker

Greg Hacker
Senior Public Health Biologist
California Department of Public Health
Vector-Borne Disease Section
8633 Bond Rd.,
Elk Grove, CA 95624
Ph: 916.686.8083
Fax: 916.686.8422
Submit your AMCA Award Nominations Now!

Deadline is August 20, 2020
AMCA Awards recognize individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the Association, to medical entomology and public health, and to the development and implementation of mosquito control methods and/or equipment.

Please nominate your colleagues and peers who are deserving of recognition. Nominations and the required supporting documents (if applicable) must be received by August 20, 2020, to be considered. Please send nominations via e-mail to Jason Kinley, Awards Committee Chair,  director@gcmad.org.

The AMCA Awards are:
Medal of Honor
Meritorious Service
John N. Belkin Award
Industry Award
Boyd-Ariaz Grass Roots Award
Memorial Lecturer and Honoree(s)
AMCA Honorary Member

Click here for additional information.
(includes a list of awards, criteria, etc)
Statewide COVID-19 Response Discussion

Occurs every other Tuesday beginning 6/2/2020 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada).
 
MVCAC Organization is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting
 
Topic: Statewide COVID-19 Response Discussion
09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada) bi-weekly on Tuesday's

Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 981 828 657
Password: 020005
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,981828657#,,#,020005# US (San Jose)  
+14086380968,,981828657#,,#,020005# US (San Jose)
 
Dial by your location
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
        +1 253 215 8782 US
        +1 301 715 8592 US
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 981 828 657
Password: 020005
Governor's Executive Order on Brown Act
Yesterday, Governor Newsom adopted a new Executive Order (#N-29-20) concerning the suspension of certain portions of the Brown Act. It is available here . It supersedes the Brown Act suspension-related provisions of the Governor's March 12, 2020 order. Significantly, the new order:
 
  • Authorizes governing board meetings entirely via teleconference and making meetings accessible telephonically to members of the public seeking to listen to the meeting or address the board. The regular meeting agenda or special meeting notice must notify the public about the conference call number and other information about how to call in to the meeting. If the board plans a closed session at the meeting, you should provide a separate call-in number for the closed session to avoid the risk of a member of the public calling in to the closed session. 
  • No longer requires a physical meeting location for the public to be able to attend.
  • Waives the Brown Act requirements about providing notice of each teleconference location, posting notice at each teleconference location, making each teleconference location accessible to the public, and participation from teleconference locations within the jurisdiction. 
  • Imposes a new (and somewhat vague) requirement that the agency "(i) Implement a procedure for receiving and swiftly resolving requests for reasonable modification or accommodation from individuals with disabilities, consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and resolving any doubt whatsoever in favor of accessibility; and (ii) Advertise that procedure each time notice is given...." To comply with this requirement, I recommend that any regular meeting agenda or special meeting notice include "If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or accommodation to participate in this teleconference meeting, please call or text [insert name and cell phone no. of appropriate staff person] or email [insert name and email address of appropriate staff person]."
  • Requires continued compliance with the 72-hour (for regular meeting agendas) and 24-hour (for special meeting notices) notice and posting requirements. 
  • Provides that the Brown Act suspension continues in effect during the period that state or local public health officials recommend social distancing.
Update From Legal Counsel on New Laws Affecting Special Districts
PDF Available for Mosquito Identification Key

Identification of the Mosquitoes of California by Richard P. Meyer and Stephen L. Durso is available for download at no cost after logging in to the MVCAC web site.  Because this key lacks Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, the sections that contain those species in Regional Guide to the Common Mosquitoes of California by Richard Meyer is appended to the PDF.  The entire PDF is key word searchable so that the diagnostic characteristics of each species can be found easily.  MVCAC thanks Richard Meyer for providing a pristine copy of Identification of the Mosquitoes of California that was scanned to produce the PDF.  Please follow this link to access the key: https://www.mvcac.org/resources/member-publications/
Southern California isn't known for its large wetland areas, but within the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District boundaries we have a very large riparian area known as the Prado Basin. This basin is managed by the Orange County Water District and is made up of several duck hunting clubs and flood planes for Inland Empire region.

In 2016, Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control decided to create a specialized team that would supervise the control of mosquitoes in these wetland areas.  The original wetland crew was supervised by Vector Control Technicians Tim Shellow and Eric Ballejos. The team's first task was to troubleshoot applications in hard to access parts of the wetlands and develop a more efficient way to treat these areas. The goal was to get a product shot out as far as possible over the cat tails and bulrush.

Submit your district for the next Agency Spotlight

D oes your agency have a success story, a staff member you would like to publicly recognize, or an innovation by your agency that you would like to highlight? "Agency Spotlight" on the MVCAC website is one way to share your story! Each submission which meets the specified criteria will be reviewed and posted on the MVCAC website on the Agency Spotlight page and highlighted on the homepage in the rotating feature box. Each story will remain posted for 1-2 months before being moved to a publicly archived page. 

Interested?  Click here   to fill out an application!

Applications can be submitted to the MVCAC office at mvcac@mvcac.org
HR resources for districts to use and to upload information into

District  Managers - Please upload your HR resources and information into this Google Drive along with using it for your own district.

Click here  to access the Google Drive.
MVCAC News Briefs - Giant Asian Hornets
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media.  The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding Giant Asian Hornets.
MVCAC News Briefs - Zika Updates
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media.  The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding Zika.
MVCAC News Briefs - Other Outbreaks
Please note: The items contained below are not the views or opinions of MVCAC but they are what is being reported in the media.  The goal of MVCAC providing this information is to keep MVCAC members informed of all news articles that are being presented regarding other outbreaks.



Do you have important news to share about your district or mosquito and vector issues?  

If you would like your news to be included in the MVCAC News Briefs, please send press releases and/or links to relevant news articles to  mvcac@mvcac.org
Jobs

Interested in a career in mosquito and vector control? Check out the MVCAC Jobs Board  at  www.mvcac.org
 
Have a Job or RFP to post to MVCAC.org?  
Requests to post job listings (no more than 500 words in length) should be submitted to the webmaster at mvcac@mvcac.org.
FOR SALE: 2013 ARGO XTI Titan 8x8 
OFFERED FOR SALE : $15,000
 
2013 ARGO XTI Titan 8x8
487.2 Hours              
Comes with 2 new tires and spare parts  
 
Contact:     
Douglas County Mosquito Abatement District
Krista Jenkins
dcmosquito@gmail.com or 775-790-2558

Click here for more information
MVCAC Sustaining Member Corner
Note: MVCAC does not endorse the products below, but we do support our Sustaining Members
Central Life Sciences has announced the release of Aqua Zenivex™ E20, a reduced-risk adulticide for mosquito control professionals.