Here’s what you need to know:

  • The Public Defender Office was approved to receive a grant to handle certain post-conviction cases. The types of cases are (1) resentencing, (2) those convicted of felony murder, attemoted murder, or manslaughter under natrual and probale consequences doctrine or implied malice theory, (3) those who are no longer imprisoned and there was prejudicial error, inadequate immigration advice, or new evidence of innocence, and (4) youth offenders who are eligible for parole. 
  • Cal Water proposed an agreement with surrounding residents of an alley. The Board conditionally approved the option that states the alley should be vacated and prohibits the construction of new structures before the utilities are relocated. A representative of Cal Water said they are still reaching out to residents about this agreement.
  • A salary increase for all employees in certain Bargaining Units was approved. This increase is due to high inflation. Supervisor Shuklian noted that this item does not apply to elected officials but will come back to the Board during the annual budget adoption for elected offcialls’s salary increase.

Board of Supervisors

  • Larry Micari, District One
  • Pete Vander Poel III, District Two
  • Amy Shuklian, District Three
  • Eddie Valero – Chairman, District Four
  • Dennis Townsend – Vice Chair, 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 and Zoom at 9 a.m. on April 12, 2022. It began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Upcoming is the Tulare County Employees Retirement Association and Retirement Board meeting, Tulare County Employees Retirement Association Investment Committee meeting, California Transportation Commission Town Hall, transportation tour of Tulare County project, and a TCAG meeting.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Last week she attended the TCSO promotion ceremony, the premiere of Songs of Solomon, Tulare County Economic Development Corporation Administration meeting, Health Advisory meeting, and had a mammogram.
      • Upcoming is the Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs meeting, the California Transportation Commission Town Hall, and an Animal Services Advisory Committee meeting.
    • Supervisor Micari 
      • Last week he attended the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office promotion, Crystal Apple Awards, Sequoia session FFA banquet awards, Lindsay Orange Blossom parade, SCICON barbeque, IT unit meeting, and a Veterans Advisory Committee meeting.
        • There are openings on the Strathmore Memorial District, Lindsay Strathmore Cemetery District, Veterans Advisory Committee, and Exeter District 3 and 4. Those interested can contact the Clerk of the Board.
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Last week he attended the Tulare County Sheriff promotions, LAFCO, spoke with Zeronox, and an Eastern Tule GSA meeting.
      • Upcoming is an AG lunch, California Transportation Town Hall, Hot Springs Town Hall, community wide good friday service in Springville, Jackass Mail Run, Easter, and a TCAG meeting.
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week he attended a Leadership Northern Tulare County meeting, Cutler-Orosi Lions Club Awards, he helped paint over graffiti, the Source Safer Spaces Conference, California Transportation Town Hall, Three Rivers Chamber Mixer, Dinuba Family Resource Center Fair, and National Latino Peace Officers Association meeting.
      • Upcoming is a TCAG meeting, Earth Day at Leadbetter Park, and the CSAC Legislative Conference
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing April 10-16, 2022, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
    • The yellow line on an American flag honors people who serve in public safety telecommunication.
    • Fire Chief Norman acknowledged all of the emergency dispatchers and showed pictures of the new dispatch center.
    • Supervisor Townsend presented the proclamation.
  • The consent calendar was approved
  • Request from the Public Defender Office to accept grant funding from the California Board of State and Community Corrections Public Defense Pilot Grant Program, in the amount of $553,647.45, retroactive from March 1, 2022 through March 1, 2025. Ratify and approve an agreement with the California Board of State and Community Corrections to provide grant funding to assist with providing indigent defense services, in an amount not to exceed $553,647.45, retroactive from March 1, 2022 through March 1, 2025. Approve a Personnel Resolution to increase the position allocation to add one FTE Paralegal I, one FTE Investigator I, and one FTE Social Worker-Public Defender, effective April 24, 2022. 
    • A representative from the Public Defender Office explained the grant. It is a non-competitive grant. 
    • Limited to 4 kinds of post conviction cases
      • PC-1170d Resentencing
      • PC-1170.95 Those convicted of felony murder, attemoted murder, or manslaughter under natrual and probale consequences doctrine or implied malice theory. This is SB-1437
      • PC-1473.7 Those who are no longer imprisoned can vacate their conviation if there was prejudicial error, inadequate immigration advice, or new evidence of innocence.
      • PC-3051 Youth offenders are eligible for parole based on their age and how long they have served. This applies to current and past cases.
    • This grant is mostly used for personnel. $308,450 goes to salaries and benefits, $194,865.45 professional services, and $50,332 in indirect costs.
    • Supervisor Valero asked once the grant finishes is this something the office will take on afterwards. The representative said they will.
    • David Allen of the Conflict Panel said the money the panel receives would be used for investigations and mental health. Some cases can take years to investigate to form a record. They won’t ask for additional attorneys.
    • Supervisor Shuklian said she is cautious with hiring people with this grant because when the grant runs out the people hired will be fired. She is glad they are not hiring many people with this grant.
    • Supervisor Micari asked if the investigations will affect law enforcement’s workload. The representative said they will contact many people including law enforcement as well as schools and relatives. Micari asked if there are other grants to help other departments. Allen said they are looking for more grants.
    • Supervisor Valero asked if funding is all under the Public Defender branch. The representative said they are thinking about coming to the Board with an MOU later on.
    • Jason Britt said there is a plan for when the funding goes away and where to put the newly hired people. 
    • Approved
  • Request from the Resource Management Agency to consider the vacation of a portion of the Alley in Block 73 of the Goshen Townsite. Approve Option A or Option B: 
    • Option A: Determine the portion of the Alley is excess right of way, unnecessary for current or prospective public use, and vacation thereof is in the public interest. Vacate the portion of the Alley and order that the public use is hereby vacated, reserving an easement and right necessary for public utilities.
    • Option B: Determine the portion of the Alley is not excess right of way and is necessary for current or prospective public use.
    • Reed Schenke gave the presentation.
      • Cal Water proposed an agreement with themselves and the property owners. Staff recommends the Board to accept the agreement conditionally.
      • An addition to Option A is the condition that before April 13, 2023 an agreement is made between Cal Water and surrounding residents and submitted to the County. It prohibits new structures in the alley prior to the relocation of the utilities.
    • Hyman Averetti, a local resident, said the agreement was done on April 6 but he does not think the other residents have received it yet because they do not receive updates through their email.
    • Supervisor Vander Poel suggested convening the parties so this process does not take as long next time.
    • Supervisor Shuklian asked if they would be vacating. Schenke said they will vacate after the agreement is met.
    • Kevin McCuscker from Cal Water said they are still working with contacting the other people in the neighborhood.
    • Approved
  • Request from the Human Resources and Development Department to approve a supplemental cost of living adjustment in the form of a salary increase for all employees in specified Bargaining Units in accordance with the following: For Unrepresented employees, a Supplemental Cost of Living Adjustment of 7% of base wages, effective July 3, 2022. For Represented employees, approve side letters of agreement with the Service Employees International Union, District Attorney Criminal Investigators of Tulare County, Government Lawyer’s Association of Workers, Professional Association of Tulare County Physicians, Professional Law Enforcement Manager’s Association, Tulare County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and Tulare County Probation Association, a Supplemental Cost of Living Adjustment of 7% of base wages, effective July 3, 2022.
    • HR Director Lupe Garza presented the item. The salary increases are due to inflation. This will increase costs by about $28 million for fiscal year 2022-2023.
    • Supervisor Shuklian asked why this will not affect elected officials. Jason Britt said salary adjustments can only be considered for elected officials during the budget adoption. This will come back for elected officials during the annual budget adoption. Shuklian said for the sake of transparency, this could affect elected officials eventually.
    • Approved
  • Board matter requests
    • Supervisor Shuklian requested to add AB-361 to the agenda and requested a letter for Eileen Martino of Maas Energy Works.

Public Comment

  • Elieen Martino of Maas Energy Works, provided an update on a grant application. Maas Energy Works is a Dairy Digester Developer. They capture methane gas and convert it to renewable natural gas. The projects cost about $4-8 million but grants are available.
  • Natlie Boal, Deputy Director Mental Health announced a community focus group April 21 at 1 p.m. held remotely. It is partnered with Recovery Innovations. If interested, contact Joe Hamilton at 624-7445.

The meeting adjourned to a closed session.

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

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