Documenter: Dani Huerta

 Here’s what you need to know:

  • Of all the maps, including three new redistricting maps — the Kindschuh, Salinas, and Tavlian Maps; Returning modified maps — the modified Equity Coalition Map, Modified Wells Map, Modified Verduzco Map, and Modified Kindschuh Map, the Board moved forward the Modified Wells Map, New Wells Map, New Verduzco Map, Modified Kindschuh Map, and New Kindschuh Map.

  • Most members of the public who spoke on redistricting during public comments supported the Wells Map; a few voiced support for the Equity Coalition Map.

  • The board approved request from the Resource Management Agency to approve applications for establishing and/or enlarging Williamson Act Agricultural Preserves

    Board of Supervisors

    • 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 Council

    • Melinda Benton, Chief Clerk

    The Scene

    The Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting was held simultaneously both in-person and streamed via YouTube at 6:30 p.m. on November 2, 2021. Closed session was held at 4 p.m. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Supervisor Townsend participated virtually through Zoom.

    Actions

    • Board of Supervisors matters was skipped

    • Request from the County Administrative office to accept the Final Report from the 2021 Advisory Commission on Supervisorial Redistricting and Commission map recommendations for new supervisorial district boundaries and receive public testimony regarding recommended maps.

      • New maps presented were Kindschuh, Salinas, Tavlian. Modified maps presented were the Equity Coalition Map, Wells Map, Verduzco Map, and Kindschuh Map.

      • John Hess presented the three new maps and four modified maps. He recommends they bring this number down to three maps for next meeting’s consideration. He explained the criteria that the maps follow, as stated at last week’s meeting. Each of the map makers then explained their maps.

      • Kindschuh (COM-017)

        • 0.25% population deviation

        • Three districts with over 55% Hispanic citizen voting age population (H-CVAP)

        • No mega-mountain district, mountain split into two districts

        • Tulare divided into 2 districts

        • Visalia divided into 2 districts (the first map to do so)

        • 3 districts have over 55% Hispanic Citizen Voting Age Population

        • Supervisor Valero asked how the criteria in the community section were weighted. Hess said the criteria was decided before maps were drawn.

        • Supervisor Townsend asked if communities of interests are formed when they come together when the criteria was defined. Hess said acknowledging communities of interest are up to the board. Townsend also asked if people from the mountains were the ones to ask for splitting the mountains as part of the map criteria. Hess said yes but they did not verify if they actually live in the mountains. 

        • Steve Kindshuh presented the changes he made to his map. 

          • Tulare is combined with Visalia

          • He held community integrity over city integrity and compactness

          • He said “This is a bold change”.

          • The mountains are not split along a straight line. It is divided along the southern edge of national park lines (District 4).

          • Exeter is in District 4

        • Supervisor Shuklian asked if he knew the population makeup of Visalia in DIstrict 3. Kindshuh said that he does not.

      • Salinas (COM-016A)

        • 4.63% population deviation

        • Two districts with over 55% H-CVAP

        • No mega mountain district, split into three districts

        • Tulare and Visalia not in the same district, Visalia is divided into three districts

        • Vincent Salinas presented the changes he made to his map. 

          • Tried to keep communities of interests intact.

          • Three Rivers and Lemon Cove are in District 4, Ivanhoe moved to District 1

          • He tried to keep it simple and to improve people’s voting patterns

        • Supervisor Townsend asked SAlinas to explain the line between District 1 and 5. Salinas said he tried to follow the natural hill pattern of the mountains. Townsend asked if there are any communities that changed. The only communities that changed are Three Rivers, Lemon Cove, and Ivanhoe.

        • Supervisor Shuklian asked if splitting the mega mountain into two districts changed H-CVAP. Salinas said it moved District 1’s H-CVAP from 51% closer to 52%

        • Supervisor Valero asked if a tweak would improve H-CVAP in districts with under 55% H-CVAP. Salinas said he tried to keep north Visalia intact

      • Tavlian (COM-018)

        • 4.74% population deviation

        • Two districts with over 55% H-CVAP, (65% in District 4)

        • No mega-mountain district, two major districts with some mountain area in District 4

        • Visalia divided into 3 districts

        • Alex Tavlian, the Chief Council of the Fair Representation Coalition of Tulare County, presented the changes he made to his map and explained the Fair Representation Coalition.

          • The Fair Representation Coalition advocates for fair, legal, and representative maps. 

          • Developed a map based on the Wells map

          • Explands District 2 into Tulare, increases compactness in metro Visalia, splits the mountains into two districts (with some in District 4)

          • There is a clear northern line dividing the two large mountain districts (Generals Highway)

          • Distinct 4 is shifted further South

        • Supervisor Valero asked if adjusting lines along Districts 1 and 5 could increase H-CVAP. Tavilain says that part of Visalia has been part of District 4 historically. Shifting District 1 is less intrusive. Valero said the St. John’s area is a bit difficult because two supervisors represent the area and the community feels divided. 

        • Supervisor Vander Poel asked if there are any organizations part of the Fair Representation Coalition. Tavlian said the Valley Future Foundation is a fiscal sponsor.

        • Supervisor Shuklian asked if District 3 continued West, would the map change. Tavlian said it would cause deviation issues, a non-contiguous district, and would affect District 1

      • The four Board modified maps were presented. Hess introduced the maps, Mark Clark went over the details of the maps, then each of the map makers then explained their maps.

      • Modified Equity Coalition Map (BOS001)

        • Tulare split into 2 districts, Visalia into 3 districts. Tulare and Visalia in separate districts

        • 3.48% population deviation

        • Terra Bella-Ducor in Porterville together

        • Two mountain districts

        • Woodlake not in District 4

        • Mark Clark went over the map in detail

          • District 2 includes the hospital district

        • Supervisor Townsend asked if Strathmore moved into District 5 and Richgrove in District 1. Clark responded that they did

        • Supervisor Valero asked if there would be changes if  District 3 were to move more East. Clark says it would not change the statistics much because of the population in the area

      • Modified Wells Map (BOS-002)

        • Not many changes

        • District 3 expanded 

        • Two mountain districts, same as original map

        • Visalia still in three districts

        • 4.62% population deviation

        • Mark Clark went over the map in detail

          • As little changes as possible to try to keep population deviation under 5%

        • Supervisor Valeo suggested including Badger in District 4 to increase H-CVAP potential because those areas are more densely populated with H-CVAP

      • Modified Verduzco Map (BOS-002)

        • Tulare is whole

        • Three districts with over 55% H-CVAP

        • Move northern border of District 2

        • 3.42% population deviation

        • Does not split the mountains into two districts

        • Mark Clark went over the map in detail

          • Very minimal changes such as moving some census blocks

        • Supervisor Shuklian asked why District 1 moves into downtown Visalia instead of District 3. Clark responded it is to get the numbers that it did.

      • Modified Kindschuh Map (BOS-004)

        • 3.87% population deviation

        • Two mountain districts with no other changes in communities of interest

        • Three districts with over 55% H-CVAP

        • Visalia divided into three districts

        • Tulare has a larger cushion

        • Mark Clark went over the map in detail

          • Expanded area around Tulare

          • Mega-mountain split into two districts

          • District 1 North boundary pushed upwards

        • Supervisor Townsend asked why there is blip in District 1. Clark responded it was like that in the original

      • Board Discussion

        • The board can choose to remove a map from further identification, modify for further consideration, or move forward without modifications.

        • The commission suggest they choose 3 of the 11 maps for consideration for next week

        • Supervisor Valero will vote according to HCVAP percentages. Supervisor Vander Poel will vote based on if the maps keep Tulare whole. Hess suggested the Board also vote according to the mega-mountain district. Vander Poel agreed and said any map with less than two mountain districts should be removed. Supervisor Valero believes the modified Wells Map can be further modified to have a higher H-CVAP. Supervisor Townsend was against the mega-mountain district and splitting communities of interest. Supervisor Shuklian does not want to remove all mega-mountains but would like to modify some. 

          • Original Equity Coalition Map (COM-001B)

            • Splits Tulare and Exeter, removes Terra Bella-Ducor from District 5

            • Mega-mountain district

            • Supervisor Valero voted no in the motion to remove this map

            • Removed

          • Modified Equity Coalition (BOS-001)

            • Splits communities of interest (Exeter)

            • Moved Woodlake into District 1

            • H-CVAP reduced to two districts

            • Removed

          • Original Kindschuh Map (COM-005B)

            • Mega-mountain

            • Does not meet compactness criteria

            • Tulare is not kept together

            • Supervisor Valero voted no in the motion to remove this map

            • Removed

          • Salinas Map (COM-016A)

            • Three Rivers in District 4

            • H-CVAP is high in two districts and low in other districts

            • Removed

          • Tavlian Map (COM-018)

            • Cuts off part of Porterville, increased District 5

            • H-CVAP criteria met in two districts

            • Removed

          • Modified Kindschuh Map (COM-017)

            • Splits Tulare and other communities of interest

            • Removed

          • Original Wells Map (COM-002A1)

            • H-CVAP criteria met in two districts

            • Splits Tulare

            • Removed

          • Modified Wells Map (BOS-002)

            • Modify with further consideration

              • Include some of Visalia into District 1 to increase H-CVAP

              • Include Visalia industrial park in District 3

              • Adjust the line between Districts 1 and 2

              • 2 mountain district

              • Adjust H-CVAP to meet criteria

              • Modified Wells map and New Modified Wells Map moved forward

              • Supervisor Valero voted no in the motion to modify this map

          • Original Verduzco Map (COM-003A)

            • Mega-mountain district

            • Splits downtown Visalia

            • Splits communities of interest in Exeter and Visalia

            • Supervisor Valero voted no in the motion to remove this map

            • Removed

          • Modified Verduzco Map (BOS-003)

            • Mega-mountain district

            • Less compactness in District 5

            • Stretches District 3 South

            • Supervisor Townsend motioned to remove this map. The motion was not seconded

            • Modify with further consideration

              • Don’t split downtown Visalia

              • Keep Three Rivers and Woodlake together

              • Two mountain districts, have two Supervisors along 198 corridor

              • Move District 3 line up to Avenue 304

              • Modified Verduzco removed, New Verduzco Map (includes changes made by the Board) moved forward

              • Supervisor Valero voted no in the motion to modify this map

          • Modified Kindschuh Map (BOS-004)

            • Modify with further consideration

              • Adjust the line along 198

              • Modified Kindschuh Map and New Kindschuh Map moved forward

        • Removed maps: Original Equity Coalition map, Modified Equity Coalition Map, Original Kindschuh Map, Salinas Map, Tavlian Map, Modified Kindschuh Map, Original Wells Map, Original Verduzco Map, Modified Verduzco Map

        • Maps moving forward to next week: Modified Wells Map, New Wells Map, New Verduzco Map, Modified Kindschuh Map, and New Kindschuh Map

    • Consent Calendar approved

    • Item 4 Request from the Resource Management Agency to consider and approve applications for establishing and/or enlarging Williamson Act Agricultural Preserves

      • Micheal Washam presented the request to approve applications of agricultural perseveres

      • Approved

    • There were no Board matter requests

    Public Comment

    • Comments in Spanish were translated and were read first

      • Maria Scelero, Cecilia Espinosa, Veronica Sereno, Lupita Amris, and Melia Mendiola all supported the Equity Coalition Map. 

    • Other comments in the queue were spoken by the public.

    • Bill Bennett, Bruce White, Adonis Nucklos, Kelly King, Charles Miguel, Pamela Silva, Sandra Goerzen, David Goerzen, Linda Bauer, Maile Melkonian, Janet Labaron, Matthew Hendrick, Dennis Smith, Tricia Stever Blattler, Rebecca Fernandez, John Guthrie, Sandra Miller, Renee Hendrick, David Harris, Donnie Zimmerman, Joe Russel, Deborah Prescott, David Prewitt, and Sarah Ramirez supported the Wells Map. 

      • Pamela Silva  ended her public comment with “Let’s go Brandon”

      • Maile Melkonian showed a graphic that was not shown on stream. She stressed there is a difference between equity and equality. She says the modifications made last week weakened H-CVAP. 

      • Janet Labaron, resident of Tulare, said the Equity coalition map does not meet criteria. She doesn’t like the intimidation and threatening lawsuit from the Equity Coalition Map. She suggests that the maps gerrymander to help Hispanics and Latinos even though they are the majority. 

      • Matthew Hendrick, resident of Exeter, supports Wells map and opposes Equity Coalition Map. HE says the mega-mountain is not beneficial and the equity coalition is gerrymandering because Dolores Huerta has far left ties.

      • Tricia Stever Blattler, Executive Director of Tulare County Farm Bureau, submitted 60 letters in support of the Wells Map.

    • Angel Ruiz, Jesus Garcia, Coligia Feliz, Lizbeth Gomez, Euler Torres, Gabriela Vidar, and Rosalinda supported the Equity Coalition Map.

      • Angel Ruiz collected 550 signatures in support of the Equity Coalition Map.

      • Lizbeth Gomez, served on advisory commission as at large commissioner, abstained in vote of the Wells Map but said she should have voted no. It had the lowest H-CVAP percentages. She believes the modifications disregards community input. She supports the Equity Coalition Map because it had the most community input.

      • Euler Torres, resident of Tulare and LULAC. He does not  like that the Dolores Huerta foundation gets all the credit for the Equity Coalition Map. He said the Trump organization has also threatened the county with a lawsuit.He wants to remove politics from this decision. 

    • Brian Poochigian, Vice Mayor of Visalia, did not support any particular map. He believes keeping Visalia as whole as possible is best for Visalia. He believes the shopping district and waste water treatment plant should be in the main district.

    • Leslie Caviglia, resident East of Ivanhoe and works in Visalia, wants Visalia to be clustered together. 

    • Coligia Feliz, resident of Visalia, supported the Kindschuh and Equity Coalition Map. She does not like that people suggest the Equity Coalition Map is made by Dolores Huerta. She claims Wells supports the Republican Party and Wells and Devin Nunez. She says Tavlian is also supporting the Republican Party. Feliz wants to divide Tulare into two districts.

      • Supervisor Shuklian interrupted to quiet the audience after Feliz claimed the Wells map supports the Republican Party and Devin Nunez.

    • Robert Quiroz, resident of Visalia, opposed the Wells and Tavlian maps. He said of all the maps he is maybe in support of the “Latino Coalition Plan”. He thinks Visalia should be kept whole as possible and questioned why tribal lands are kept together. He went over time even when Supervisor Shuklian told him his time was up. He called this a “horror show”.

    • Mariann Hestrom, resident of Visalia, does not like that Visalia is divided into 3 districts. She leaned more towards Wells map and doesn’t like that there is a threat of a lawsuit if the Equity Coalition Map is not chosen. 

    • Deene Souza, resident of visalia, opposes the Equity Coalition Map. She claims it splits Tulare by gerrymandering but mostly spoke against the Dolores Huerta foundation. She supports the Wells or Tavlian map.

    • James Henderson, resident of Woodlake, opposed the Equity Coalition Map and believes it should not be considered because of the threat of lawsuit.

    • Sarah Ramirez, member of the Health Advisory Committee and leader of the food bank, spoke in support of unincorporated communities. 

    • Joni Jordan, a resident of the mountains, is against the mega-mountain district.

    • Korey Wells, mapmaker of the Wells Map. Thanked people for their support of his map and liked the changes to his map. He responded to accusations made by Coligia Feliz, saying he has never met or contributed to Devin Nunez.

    • Joe Prescott, resident of Springville, is against the mega-mountain and the Dolores Huerta Foundation and claims it has political motives. He said it “seems like a Latino power grab”.

    • Abigail Solis, Resident of Earlimart, Board President, spoke in support of the Verduzco map. She wants to take politics out of this decision and said this is not a Latino power grab. She said the Board should represent underrepresented people.

    • Supervisor Shuklian commented in response to public comments made about better schools, that the county does not oversee schools.

    ITEM 2 Public comment

    • Rena thanked the Board for considering the maps and making the process easy for everyone to participate in public comment. She thanked them for having accessibility for Spanish speakers.

    There will be a regular meeting next week on November 9, 2021 at 9 a.m. There will be a special meeting on the same day at 1:30 p.m. where the maps will be discussed. 

    If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

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