Documenter: Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
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During the past quarter of 2021, the Tulare County Regional Auto Theft Task Force recovered 62 stolen vehicles, made 30 arrests, and recovered approximately $415 million of property. In addition, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Lieutenant Ian Holguin worked with the police chiefs for a new memorandum of understanding to utilize the 9250 funds.
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During public comment, Karen Pringle, a Tulare County nurse, urged the board to examine the basis for their decisions on COVID. Likewise, Secretary 2 for Tulare County Debbie Castleberry asked the board for a motion to end the local health emergency.
The Scene
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors, according to its website, sets policy for County departments, oversees the County budget, adopts ordinances on local matters, and establishes land-use policies that affect unincorporated areas of Tulare County.
They respond to the needs of County constituents daily by meeting or discussing issues individually with County community members to help resolve problems and address their concerns.
The meeting is held live on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 9:00 am via YouTube.
Tulare County Board of Supervisors Members present:
Larry Micari (District One), Pete Vander Poel (District Two), Amy Shuklian (Chair-District Three), Eddie Valero (Vice Chair-District Four), Dennis Townsend (District Five), Jason T. Britt (County Administrative Officer), Jennifer M. Flores (County Counsel), and Melinda Benton (Chief Clerk).
Tulare County Board of Supervisors Members not present:
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Eddie Valero (Vice Chair-District Four)
Others Present:
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California Highway Patrol (CHP) Lieutenant Ian Holguin
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Secretary 2 for Tulare County Debbie Castleberry
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Karen Pringle
Discussions/Actions
After the pledge of allegiance and moment of silence, each member of the Board of Supervisors gave updates of their meetings with local athletes, tribal councils, chambers of commerce, and local government agencies.
The board presented a proclamation recognizing August 2021 as National Breastfeeding Month.
On the Tulare County Regional Auto Theft Task Force (T-RATT) program, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Lieutenant Ian Holguin thanked Tulare County as one of the counties that have enacted 9250 funds, which imposes a dollar fee on vehicle registration.
Last year, the task force recovered 358 stolen vehicles, arrested 133 people for auto theft, and recovered approximately $2.3 million worth of property.
During the past quarter of 2021, the task force recovered 62 stolen vehicles, made 30 arrests, and recovered approximately $415 million of property.
Holguin is working with the state to lease a building in Visalia, which will “double” the office space for the task force. In addition, he worked with the police chiefs for a new memorandum of understanding to utilize the 9250 funds.
T-RATT consists of detectives from Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville, a Tulare County Sheriff’s Office deputy, a DMV investigator, 2 California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators, and one California Highway Patrol (CHP) sergeant.
Lastly, Holguin anticipates 9250 funds spent on additional detectives, license plate readers, and training.
In the public comment, Karen Pringle, a Tulare County nurse, urged the board to examine the basis of their decisions on COVID. Likewise, Secretary 2 for Tulare County Debbie Castleberry asked the board for a motion to end the local health emergency.
The board unanimously approved items #6-27, with no discussions and Supervisor Valeo absent.
#6 The board approved $4,025 for projects upon adopting the Fish and Wildlife Propagation Program (Fund 011) budget for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022. The board authorized the approved funding allocations as follows: Critter Creek $1,075, SCICON $500, WOWR $500, DFW $375, Sportsman’s Assn. – $1,575.
The board adopted the Categorical Exemption prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) provisions for projects recommended by the County Fish and Wildlife Commission.
#7 The board approved an addendum to Agreement No. 29651 with Point & Pay, LLC (d/b/a ‘PNP’), authorizing an additional two years on the original three year contract. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Tax Collector, or their designee, to sign the Client Application.
#8 The board appointed Justin Leyendekker to the Member 7 – Non Permanent Crop Farming Seat on the Agricultural Advisory Committee for a term ending June 30, 2022.
#9 The board reappointed Richard W. Job to the Director Seat on the Southern Tulare County Citrus Pest Control District for a term ending July 6, 2025.
#10 The board approved the actions by the County Administrative Officer during May and June 2021. Find that the activities funded under the good works funding agreements are necessary to meet the social needs of the residents of Tulare County.
#11 The board approved the agreement and certification with the United States Department of Justice to participate in the Federal Equitable Sharing program and allow continued access to Equitable Sharing funds, in an amount not to exceed $40,197.53, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Ratify the District Attorney’s electronic signature on the agreement and certification.
#12 The board approved the documents for the Woodville Park Community Forest Establishment Project. Authorize the advertisement of bids for the subject project. Set the bid opening for the project at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.
#13 The board approved the Memorandum of Understanding between Tulare County Child Welfare Services Agency and System Partners for the foster youth trauma informed system of care. Ratify the Human Services Director, Child Welfare Services Deputy Director, Mental Health Director, and Chief Probation Officer signatures on the Memorandum of Understanding, retroactive from July 27, 2021, through June 30, 2025.
#14 The board reaffirmed the Local Emergency proclamation due to the Sequoia Complex Fire, Resolution No. 20200596. Reaffirm a Local Health Emergency declaration due to the Sequoia Complex Fire, Resolution No. 20200667.
#15 The board authorized funding of $50,000 for the Step Up #LEAD Youth Program.
#16 The board approved an agreement with Kings View Corporation for the Visalia and Porterville Wellness and Recovery Centers, in an amount not to exceed $1,111,586, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
#17 The board approved an agreement with Kings View Corporation for the South County OneStop Center and the South County Mobile Services programs for mental health services, in an amount not to exceed $1,580,000, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
#18. The board approved an agreement with Tulare County Superintendent of Schools to provide mental health services for Tulare County adolescents and children, in an amount not to exceed $6,000,000, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
#19. The board approved the tentative agreement and authorized such changes to the Memorandum of Understanding between the County of Tulare and the Professional Law Enforcement Managers Association, Bargaining Unit 14, for the term of July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023.
#20. The board approved the $26,244.87 payment to Adamson Police Products to install and provide equipment for Sheriff vehicles in the Fiscal Year 2020/21.
#21. The board approved the $553.13 payment to L.G. Cortez Enterprises Inc. for tech support services in the Fiscal Year 2020/21.
#22 The board approved the Program Supplement Agreement with the California Department of Transportation for the Preliminary Engineering and RightofWay phases of Avenue 174 over FriantKern Canal Bridge Project, located northwest of the City of Porterville, in an amount not to exceed $700,000.
#23 The board approved the Program Supplement Agreement with the California Department of Transportation for the Revegetation phase of Avenue 416 over Kings River Bridge Project, located west of the City of Dinuba, in an amount not to exceed $837,316.66.
#24. The board approved and awarded the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Avison Construction Inc. of Madera, California, for Road 204 over the Wutchumna Ditch Bridge Project, located near the City of Woodlake, for $841,125.
The board also authorized the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign the contract after review and approval as to form by County Counsel and upon receipt of certificates of insurance, bonds, and evidence that the contractor possesses a valid State Contractor’s License.
The board allowed funds for contingencies for $54,556 to cover unexpected construction conditions. Authorized the Resource Management Agency Director, or their designee, to approve contract change orders up to the number of allowed funds for contingencies.
#25 The board approved the Categorical Exemption prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines per 14 Cal. Code Regs. Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures for the Shelter placement for transit shelters at three locations along State Route 63 in Cutler and State Route 216 in Ivanhoe and Visalia.
#26 The board approved the amended Class Specification for the Field Evidence Technician and Fingerprint Technician. Approved the personnel resolution to amend class specifications for the Field Evidence Technician and Fingerprint Technician, effective August 10, 2021.
#27. The board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tulare County Agencies Regional Gun Violence Enforcement Team for a multiagency task force for gun violence suppression, retroactive from November 16, 2020, through December 31, 2021.
#28. The board authorized submitting an online application for Federal reimbursement by August 10, 2021, to the U.S. Department of Justice for July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019, for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program.
Afterward, the closed session centered on the following items:
ITEM A Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Significant Exposure to Litigation
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2))
Number of Potential Cases: 1
ITEM B Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1))
Name of Case: Eamonn Taylor v. County of Tulare Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board No.: ADJ13638973
ITEM C Conference With Legal Counsel – Initiation Of Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)) Number of Potential Cases: 1
ITEM D Conference With Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6) Agency Designated Representatives: Jason T. Britt and Shelline K. Bennett Employee Organizations: All Certified Employee Organizations
Unrepresented Employees: All Unrepresented Employees
The meeting lasted until 11:45 am. The next board meeting will be on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 9:00 am through YouTube.
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