Documenter: Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
-
Vincent Salinas from Visalia and Robert Quiros from Tulare opposed the redistricting maps favored by the Board, arguing that it would dilute Hispanic citizens’ voting rate age population (HVAC) in District #3.
-
Tulare Chief of Staff Tammie Weyker Adkins maintained that the Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) is contradictory. The ETS stated that it is necessary to protect unvaccinated workers while breakthrough cases do occur.
-
The Board voted (3-2) for Supervisor Townsend’s motion to submit the Public Comment Letter to Cal/OSHA’s proposed ETS. Supervisor Valero abstained, while Supervisor Shuklian voted no.
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 was held live on Tuesday, November 16, 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:
-
Vincent Salinas
-
Robert Quiros
-
Tulare Chief of Staff & County Public Information Officer Tammie Weyker Adkins
-
Pamela Silva
Discussions/Actions
The board (4-0) unanimously approved items #4-31.
#4 The Board appointed Manuel Linhares to the Law Enforcement, State – California Highway Patrol Seat #26 on the Emergency Medical Care Committee to serve at the pleasure of the Board. County Administrative Office
#5 The Board approved the amendment to Agreement No. 28454, subject to approval as to form, with the California Department of Water Resources for the Tulare-Kern Disadvantaged Community Integrated Regional Water Management Involvement Program to extend the contract term through June 30, 2022.
#6 The Board passed a resolution authorizing the submission of an Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief grant application to the California Department of Water Resources on behalf of the TulareKern Funding Region for the Disadvantaged Community Integrated Regional Water Management Involvement Program projects, for $5 million.
#7 The Board approved the agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to provide funding for the Child Advocacy Center Program, for an award amount of $147,253 with a $23,760 match from the County, for a total of $171,013, effective April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023.
The Board authorized the District Attorney’s Grant Subaward Director, Financial Officer, and their signature designees to sign the Signature Authorization Form. Determine that the agreement is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the “common sense exemption, 14 CCR §15061 (b)(3).”
#8 Capital asset purchase of one (1) Thermal Imaging Camera kit to support the day-to-day operations of the Tulare County Fire Department, in an amount not to exceed $6,000. General Services Agency
#9 Amendment to Agreement No. 30090 with Seals Construction, Inc., for the new Sheriff and Fire Dispatch Center in Visalia to increase the amount by $79,224.42 from $1,595,654.63 to $1,674,879.05, and add 25 calendar days. Accept the work for construction as complete by Seals Construction, Inc.
#10 Contract for the Administrative Office Remodel to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $2,943,000. Health & Human Services Agency
#11 Agreement with Community Services and Employment Training, Inc. for the administration of the CalFresh Employment and Training Program, in an amount not to exceed $273,383, retroactive from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022.
#12 The Board approved the designation of Authorized Agent’s Resolution to appoint Authorized Agents to act on behalf of the County in securing and administering grant funding. Authorize the Director of Emergency Services, or designee, to submit the funding application to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services at such time as they may deem appropriate.
#13 Reaffirm the proclamation of a Local Emergency due to the Sequoia Complex Fire, Resolution No. 2020-0569.
The Board also reaffirmed the following:
-
Local Health Emergency due to the Sequoia Complex Fire, Resolution No. 2020-0667
-
Proclamation of a Local Emergency due to the September Lightning Fires, Resolution No. 2021-0736
-
Declaration of a Local Health Emergency due to the September Lightning Fires, Resolution No. 2021-0861
#14 The Board approved the agreement with Turning Point of Central California, Inc. to provide Children’s Mental Health services for TulareWORKs Welfare to Work Participants, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
#15 Amendment to Agreement No. 30161 with Kaweah Delta Health Care District to add antigen COVID-19 tests to the scope of work and increase the agreement amount by $1,000,000, in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000, retroactive from June 15, 2021, through March 31, 2022. Human Resources & Development
#16 Side Letter of Agreement between the County of Tulare and the Service Employees International Union, Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7.
#17 Purchase of ten (10) handheld radios and related equipment, in an amount not to exceed $25,000, and Motorola Dispatch Transport Network Configuration Tool and related equipment, in an amount not to exceed $56,000, as necessary per the Tulare County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Interim Recovery Plan.
-
Capital asset purchase of two (2) radio repeaters and related equipment, in an amount not to exceed $40,000, and radio equipment, as part of the Tulare County Fire Department’s Communications Upgrade Project, in an amount not to exceed $558,000, as necessary per the Tulare County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Interim Recovery Plan. Approve the necessary budget adjustments
#18 Closure of Tulare County Library Branches to the public on the following Saturdays in 2022: January 15, February 19, May 28, June 18, July 2, September 3, November 26, December 31. Approve the closure of all Tulare County Libraries to the public on the following Friday in 2022 for staff training: December 9. Probation
#19 Memorandum of Understanding with Tulare County Superintendent of Schools to provide services at the Probation Connections Center, effective November 16, 2021, through June 30, 2022. There is no cost associated with this agreement. Resource Management Agency
#20 Execution of amendments to the Land Conservation Contracts for Agricultural Preserve Enlargements and Reinstatements. Approve the execution of new Land Conservation Contracts for Agricultural Preserve Establishments.
#21 Amendment to Agreement No. 29963 with WRECO and HDR Engineering, Inc. for Geotechnical Services for various County projects on an as-needed basis, retroactive from August 1, 2021, through November 16, 2025, and assign all rights and responsibilities under Agreement No. 29963 to HDR Engineering, Inc.
#22 Amendment to Agreement No. 29966 with WRECO and HDR Engineering, Inc. for Hydraulics/Hydrology Services for various County projects on an as-needed basis, retroactive from August 1, 2021, through November 16, 2025, and assign all rights and responsibilities under Agreement No. 29966 to HDR Engineering, Inc.
#23 Special Event Permit Application for the Fieldhouse Climb Event to be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the City of Lindsay. Approve the Fieldhouse Climb Event to be an ongoing event for future years until conditions and the location change, and subject to timely submittals of complete application for each annual event.
#24 Amendment to Agreement No. 29520 with Self-Help Enterprises, Inc., to allow for the completion of the Orosi Housing Project, extends the term from December 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023.
#25 Filing of Notices of Partial Non-Renewal for the following nine (9) Land Conservation Contracts, as provided in the Williamson Act. The request fulfills conditions resulting from five (5) Tentative Parcel maps and four (4) Lot Line Adjustments.
Approve the execution of amendments to the Land Conservation Contracts as conditions of approval for the aforementioned Partial Non-Renewals:
WAN 21-004 – Williamson Act Contract No. 3234, Ag Preserve No. 633, located at 5327 Avenue 400, Dinuba, CA, 93618, on the south side of State Route 201, approximately 1400 feet east of Road 56; (APN: 029-060-038) (Kevin Goossen) (1.12 acres to be Non-Renewed as a condition of PPM 20-037) (45.64 acres are to remain in the contract).
WAN 21-005 – Williamson Act Contract No. 3554, Ag Preserve No. 881, located at 12195 Avenue 392, Cutler CA, 93615, on the southeast corner of Avenue 392 and Road 120; (APN: 033-130-037 and 033-130-038) (DWK Ventures 1, LLC) (1.66 acres to be Non-Renewed as a condition of PLA 20-021) (71.71 acres are to remain in the contract).
WAN 21-007 – Williamson Act Contract No. 5422, Ag Preserve No. 1752, located at 25705 Road 140, Visalia, CA 93292, on the northwest corner of Avenue 256 and Road 140; (APN: 150-090-012) (Glenda F. Shannon) (2.49 acres to be Non-Renewed as a condition of PPM 21-009) (56.95 acres are to remain in the contract).
WAN 21-008 – Williamson Act Contract No. 8682, Ag Preserve No. 3105, located at 21127 Road 68, Tulare, CA 93274, on the west side of Road 68 and approximately 2100 feet north of Avenue 208; (APN: 158-160-006) (Hazel J. and Manuel C. Leal) (1.49 acres to be Non-Renewed as a condition of PLA 21-001) (39.32 acres are to remain in the contract).
WAN 21-010 – Williamson Act Contract No. 6236, Ag Preserve No. 2020, located on the west side of Road 52 and approximately 1200 feet south of Avenue 424; (APN: 012-150-042 and 012-150-04) (Eric Laemmlen) (8.7 acres to be Non-Renewed as a condition of PLA 21-014) (20.5 acres are to remain in the contract).
WAN 21-012 – Williamson Act Contract No. 3623, Ag Preserve No. 736, located at 34109 Road 158, Visalia, CA, 93292, on the northwest corner of Avenue 340 and Road 158; (APN: 052-210-032) (Patricia Angell Phillips) (1.05 acres to be Non-Renewed as a condition of PPM 21-025) (35.13 acres are to remain in the contract).
WAN 21-014 – Williamson Act Contract No. 4486, Ag Preserve No. 1392, located at 39716 Road 74, Dinuba, CA 93618, east of the intersection of Avenue 396 and Road 74; (APN: 030-030-017) (Gregory W. and Jane L. Jantzen) (4.0 acres to be Non-Renewed as a condition of PPM 21-023) (46.16 acres are to remain in the contract).
#26 Amendment to Agreement No. 30307 with the California Board of State and Community Corrections for the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners Program, retroactive from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
#27 The Board approved the agreement between Tulare and Inmate Calling Solutions to provide inmates with communication services through October 31, 2026.
#28 The board approved the ordinance amending Chapter 1 (“Board of Supervisors”) of Part I (“Government and Administration”) of the Ordinance Code to make it Article 1 of the same chapter, with no substantive change.
Hence, the Board added Article 2, entitled “Supervisorial Districts,” to the same chapter, ending with section 1-01-2000, about the boundaries in the County of Tulare; and repealing Uncodified Ordinance No. 3432, about the 2011 boundaries.
The Board will adopt the entire ordinance on December 7, 2021.
Vincent Salinas from Visalia and Robert Quiros from Tulare opposed item #28 and said that the boundaries would dilute Hispanic citizens’ voting rate age population (HVAC) in District #3.
#29 Request from the Board of Supervisors’ staff to approve a Public Comment Letter to Cal/OSHA’s proposed Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) on Vaccination, Testing, and Face Coverings.
Tulare Chief of Staff Tammie Weyker Adkins maintained that the Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) is contradictory. The ETS stated that it is necessary to protect unvaccinated workers while breakthrough cases do occur.
Then, she argued that the testing requirement provides an unjustified burden to employers and potentially results in a loss of essential employees.
She said that the record-keeping requirement is unnecessarily invasive by requiring employers to maintain a list of vaccinated employees, their proof of vaccination, and test results for unvaccinated employees each week.
Lastly, she urged that the records should be limited since they contain medical information.
In public comment, Pamela Silva opposed any vaccine mandate.
The Board voted (3-2) for Supervisor Townsend’s motion to submit the letter. Supervisor Valero abstained, while Supervisor Shuklian voted no.
#31 Record of Threat of Litigation (Closed Session Item E) – Government Claim from Guillon, Inc.
Afterward, the closed session centered on the following items:
ITEM G Conference With Legal Counsel – Initiation of Litigation
(Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)) Number of Potential Cases: 1
The meeting lasted until 9:57 am. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, via YouTube.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.