Documenter: Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
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Staff reviewed new community maps in Geographic information System (GIS) software and presented staff analysis.
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Colijia Feliz argued that the redistricting process must disregard the “incumbents’ prospects for re-election, race, or class.” She worried that the process would render Tulare and northside Visalia residents “underrepresented.”
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The Board (5-0) unanimously approved the BOS-003b, known as the “Community Collaboration Map”, for publication.
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, November 9, 2021, at 9:00 am via YouTube.
Tulare County Board of Supervisors Members present:
Larry Micari (District One), Pete Vander Poel (District Two), 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).
Others Present:
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Rosemary Cosso, representing United Way Tulare County and Community Care Coalition.
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Assistant County Administrative Officer John Hess
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Scott R. James II
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Korey Wells
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Jeff Hendrick
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Vincent Salinas
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Virginia Gurrola
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Colijia Feliz
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Jorge Fernandez
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Mary Jo Hendricks
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Alex Gutierrez
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Angel
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Tulare County Farm Bureau Executive Director Tricia Stever Blattler
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La Cresta Demographics CEO Jesus Garcia
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Central Valley Redistricting Organizer Luis Huerta Silva (with California Common Cause)
Discussions/Actions
On public comment, Rosemary Coso, representing United Way Tulare County and Community Care Coalition, urged the Board to promote “Be Kind Tulare County.”
The public hearing centered on the following:
#4 Request from the County Administrative Office to receive public testimony regarding recommended maps and the composition of one or more supervisorial districts. Select a final map and direct staff to return to the Board on November 16, 2021, to introduce an ordinance to adopt the final map.
The County has analyzed and considered 52 individual supervisorial district maps:
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32 Community Maps
– 24 submitted to the Commission
– 8 submitted to the Board of Supervisors
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13 Commission Maps
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7 Board-Modified Maps
Staff reviewed new community maps in Geographic Information System (GIS) software and presented staff analysis.
Mapmakers had the opportunity to speak to their maps after the taff’s presentation which was, limited to 15 minutes per map.
Scott R. James II, who lives in District #5 and #3, stated that his map has the highest Hispanic citizen’s voting-age population in District #3.
In his map, Korey Wells wanted to increase the representation of the Hispanic citizen’s voting-age population in the northeast part of Visalia.
The staff presented the four modified maps submitted by the redistricting commission to the Board of Supervisors.
Assistant County Administrative Officer John Hess maintained that the few differences in 52 maps resulted from consultation between the community and compliance with state and federal law.
Jeff Hendrick, an Exeter resident, and Yolanda Bocanegra, an Terra Bella resident, supported Wells.
Vincent Salinas, a Visalia resident, stated that his maps moved the mountain areas from District #4 to District #5. Four out of the five maps have a majority Hispanic Citizen Voting Age Population (HCVAP).
Virginia Gurrola, a Tulare resident, pointed out that the redistricting process must be about people “to be part of the decision process.”
Likewise, Colijia Feliz argued that the redistricting process must disregard the “incumbents’ prospects for re-election, race, or class.” She worried that the process would render Tulare and northside Visalia “underrepresented.”
Springville resident Jorge Fernandez, Tulare County Farm Bureau Executive Director Tricia Stever Blattlerhad, and Mary Jo Hendricks supported the maps submitted by Wells.
Alex Gutierrez, Jesus Garcia, and Luis Huerta Silva urged the Board to pick an “equitable” map that engages the Hispanic community, which makes up 65% of the population.
Angel, a Tulare resident, asked the board for more translators and interpreters in the redistricting hearings.
The Board (5-0) unanimously accepted public testimonies and comments.
Afterward, each supervisor provided comments on the maps as follows:
Supervisor Shuklian asked to remove the Quiroz and James maps for further consideration, with two majority HCVAP.
On reflecting Tulare County population, Supervisors Townsend and Vander Poel passed a motion to consider the second modification of the Verduzco, Kindschuh, and revised Wells maps.
The Board (5-0) unanimously approved supervisors Townsend and Vander Poel’s motion.
The Board (5-0) unanimously approved the BOS-003b, known as the “Community Collaboration Map,” or publication.
Next, the Board (5-0) unanimously approved items #5-23.
#5 Letter in opposition to the recommendation made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife for the Designation of Critical Habitat for the Southern Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment of Fisher. General Services Agency
#6 The Board accepted the Visalia Courthouse Roof Replacement Project as a completed project. Approved an amendment to Agreement No. 29926 with Newton Construction & Management, Inc., to increase the contract amount by $33,628.49, from $669,798.75 to $703,427.23, and increase the contract time by 94 calendar days.
#7 Resolution by a 4/5ths vote declaring the intent to sell the real property identified Assessor’s Parcel No. 073-024-024, located at 4929 Ave. 309, Goshen, more particularly described in Exhibit A, under Government Code §25526.
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Receipt of sealed bids to purchase said real property for a cash price of no less than $25,000 for 4929 Ave. 309, Goshen by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors until 5:00 pm on December 6, 2021.
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The Board approved December 7, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. as the date and time to consider the sealed proposal to purchase the subject property.
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The Board authorized the General Services Agency Director, or their designee, to publish Exhibit B, “Notice of Intent to Sell Real Property” once a week for three consecutive weeks and post in three public places not less than 15 days before December 6, 2021, under Government Codes §6063 and §25528.
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The Board authorized the General Service Agency Director, or their designee, to send Exhibit C “General Plan Referral Letter” to the County of Tulare Resource Management Agency under Government Code §65402.
#8 Resolution by a 4/5ths vote declaring the intent to sell the real property identified as Assessor’s Parcel No. 075-070-044, located at 30907 Juniper Rd., Goshen, more particularly described in Exhibit A, under Government Code §25526.
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Receipt of sealed bids for the purchase of said real property for a cash price of no less than $20,000 for 30907 Juniper Rd., Goshen by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors until 5:00 pm December 6, 2021.
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The Board approved December 7, 2021, at 9:00 am as the date and time to consider the sealed proposals to purchase the subject property.
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The Board authorized the General Services Agency Director, or their designee, to publish Exhibit B, “Notice of Intent to Sell Real Property” once a week for three consecutive weeks and post in three public places not less than 15 days before December 6, 2021, under Government Codes §6063 and §25528.
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The Board authorized the General Service Agency Director, or their designee, to send Exhibit C “General Plan Referral Letter” to the County of Tulare Resource Management Agency under Government Code §65402.
#9 Grant of Easement for Construction and Access to a Continuously Operating Reference Station at the Tulare County Men’s Correctional Facility located at 36168 Rd 112, Visalia, CA 93291, Assessor’s Parcel No. 048-190-001, in favor of Kaweah Delta Water,” Conservation District.
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The Board authorized the General Services Agency Director, or their designee, to deliver the Easement to Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District for recording.
#11 Memorandum of Understanding with the United Way of Tulare County, for the provision of disaster services to evacuees in response to the September Lightning Fires, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, retroactive from September 14, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
#12 Agreement with Psynergy Programs, Inc., for the provision of residential and specialty mental health services, in an amount not to exceed $5,400,000, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024.
#13 Submission of a grant application for funding from the California Department of Public Health for the Oral Health Program, in an amount not to exceed $1,669,685, effective from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2027.
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The Board authorized the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency Director, or designee, to electronically submit the grant application.
#14 The Board reaffirmed the Proclamation of a Local Emergency due to drought in Tulare County Resolution No. 2021-0290.
#15 Amendment to Agreement No. 28654 with San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. to add students within the registered nursing program to intern with Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency’s Public Health Branch, as well as to update the mailing address to which agreement notification should be sent effective, November 9, 2021, through September 30, 2022. There is no cost associated with this amendment.
#16. Proclamation of a Local Emergency due to the Sequoia Complex Fire, Resolution No. 2020-0569.
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The Board reaffirmed the declaration of a Local Health Emergency due to the Sequoia Complex Fire, Resolution No. 2020-0667. Information & Communications Technology
#17 Agreement with the City of King to provide radio and communication services, effective upon execution by both parties through June 30, 2025. 18.
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Approve an agreement with the College of Sequoias to provide radio and communication services, effective November 9, 2021, through June 30, 2026.
#19 Purchase of Zoom Licensing as necessary per the Tulare County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Interim Recovery Plan, in an amount not to exceed $99,500.
#20 Purchase of Microsoft Office 365 Licensing as necessary per the Tulare County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Interim Recovery Plan, in an amount not to exceed $1,641,900.
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The Board authorized the Purchasing Agent to waive the formal bidding process for the Sole Source Purchase of the Microsoft Office 365 Licensing. Approve the necessary budget adjustments (4/5ths vote required). Probation
#21. Grant award agreement with the Board of State and Community Corrections to accept grant funding for infrastructure-related needs and improvements to develop a local continuum of care to serve youth realigned from the Division of Juvenile Justice, in an amount not to exceed $152,571, retroactive from June 10, 2021, through June 1, 2024.
#22. The Board amended Paragraph B of Section 3 of Ordinance No. 352, the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance, for Change of Zone No. #22. PZC 21-003 to change the zoning district on one 12.67-acre parcel from AE-40 Exclusive Agriculture – 40 Acre Minimum to R-A-100 Rural Residential – 100,000 Square Foot Minimum on the property at 13098 Avenue 232, Tulare.
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Planning Commission’s recommendations and findings of approval for Change of Zone No. PZC 21-003 to change the zoning district on one 12.67-acre parcel from AE-40 Exclusive Agriculture – 40 Acre Minimum to R-A-100 Rural Residential – 100,000 Square Foot minimum and Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 21-028 to divide the 12.67-acre parcel into two (2) 6.335-acre parcels, east of Tulare, as outlined in Planning Commission Resolutions No. 9896 and 9897.
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The Board accepted the Categorical Exemption as the appropriate environmental determination, consistent with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines, under Title 14, Cal. Code Regulations Section 15303, Class 3, about New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures. Find that the ordinance’s title was included in the published schedule—a copy of the entire ordinance made available.
#23 The Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding between participating agencies to operate the Central Valley High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area High Impact Investigation Team, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2023.
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 See today’s agenda item on Public Hearing for Supervisorial Redistricting
ITEM B Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Significant Exposure to Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2))
Number of Potential Cases: 1 Threat of litigation made by counsel for the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Marguerite Melo, during the public comment period of September 9, 2021, Tulare County Advisory Committee on Supervisorial Redistricting meeting. The threat pertained to redrawing of supervisorial district maps based on the results of the 2020 Census. A video of the September 9, 2021 meeting is available at youtube.com/watch?v=0yL3U99-b2k.
ITEM C Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation
Significant Exposure to Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2))
Number of Potential Cases: 1 See today’s public agenda item about the request from RMA to approve an amendment to the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance No. 352 for Change of Zone No. PZC 21-003 and Tentative Parcel Map No. PPM 21-0328 Terrill/Tulare
ITEM D Conference With Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)) Name of Case: Clarke, Kyle v. County of Tulare; Christopher Hifner Tulare County Superior Court VCU281967
ITEM E Conference With Legal Counsel – Initiation Of Litigation (Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)) Number of Potential Cases: 1
ITEM F Public Employee Appointment/Employment Consideration And Possible Appointment (Government Code Section 54957)
For The Position Of Information Technology (IT) Director or Interim IT Director
The Board may meet in a continuous closed session each business day on this topic, beginning immediately upon recess of the open portion of this meeting up to and including November 15, 2021, to deliberate on the possible appointment.
ITEM G Conference With Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Designated Representatives: Lupe Garza and Shelline K. Bennett
Employee Organizations: All Certified Employee Organizations
Unrepresented Employees: All Unrepresented Employees
The meeting lasted until 4:43 pm.
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