Here’s what you need to know:

  • An item regarding a letter by the League of Cities and CSAC in opposition to the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act was pulled for further consideration. Alex Tavlian of the California Coalition of Small Businesses asked the Board to withdraw the letter. The Board decided to discuss this at a later time to allow for more research on the matter.
  • The board approved 102 fee adjustments to several branches of the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency. These branches are the Public Guardian, Health Operations, Environmental Health, and Animal Services divisions.
  • A request from the Human Resources and Development Department to use an alternate method of appointing the County’s Chief Probation Officer was approved. Judge Mathias asked for communication between the Probation Officer and the Tulare County Superior Court.

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 19, 2022. It began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence.

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Last week there was a TCAG meeting and a California Transportation Committee Town Hall.
      • Upcoming is the California Association of Counties Legislative Conference, California Sheriffs Association Conference, Retirement Board Investment Conference, First5 Commission meeting, and the Tulare High School Foundation fundraiser dinner.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Last week she attended the California Transportation Commission Town Hall and TCAG meeting.
      • Upcoming is the CSAC conference, Workforce Investment Board, Homeless Task force, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control DIstrict Board, Parks Advisory meeting, Sheriff’s Conference, Farm Bureau’s Government Leadership Exercise, and a meeting with the CEO of Kings View Corporation.
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Last week he attended the California Transportation Committee Town Hall, Farm Bureau dinner, Exeter Park dedication, and the TCAG meeting.
      • Upcoming is the CSAC conference, Los Arroyos groundbreaking, a meeting with people in Strathmore about water, and Farmer Bob’s Tree to Table fundraiser.
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Last week he attended the California Transportation Committee Town Hall, Hot Springs Town Hall, Jackass Mail Run, and TCAG.
      • Upcoming is the CSAC conference, Salt & Light golf tournament fundraiser, Springville Sierra rodeo, preaching at Cowboy Church, Sheriff’s conference, RCRC, and the Sierra View foundation golf tournament fundraiser.
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week he attended the Safer Spaces conference, California Transportation Committee Town Hall, Three Rivers Chamber Mixer, District 4 Farm Bureau dinner, and the Spring Fling Parenting Network Family Resource Center Event in Dinuba.
      • Upcoming is Earth Day at Leadbetter Park, CSAC conference, and a Well Untapped Water fellowship meeting. He will MC Farmer Bob’s Tree to Table Event and attend the Sheriff’s Conference.
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing April 2022 as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.
    • Courtney Sallam, Amanda Guajardo, and Claire Hall gave a presentation on the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC).
      • Every month they reach out to child welfare services to share data. This helps them determine what areas to direct outreach.
      • The Lisa Project is a ten-minute interactive experience to learn about child abuse.
      • CarePortal allows caseworkers to connect families in need to churches and community members that can help them with various needs.
    • Supervisor Valero presented the proclamation and the Supervisors took a picture with the presenters.
  • Consent Calendar
    • Item 7 was pulled, a comment on Item 9, a correction to Item 11, and public comments on Item 25
    • Correction Item 11. It should read “Reappoint Jeffrey Steen to the Director Seat on the Tulare County Pest Control District for a term ending April 23, 2026.”
    • Item 9 Appoint Carlos Aleman to the Director 1 Seat on the Tulare County Planning Commission for a term ending December 31, 2025.
      • Supervisor Micari thanked Aleman for signing up for this position because not everyone steps forward.
    • Item 25 Approve General Plan Initiation No. GPI 22-001 for a General Plan Amendment to update the Allensworth Hamlet Plan
      • Denise Kudar, a resident of Allensworth, spoke about the Allensworth Community Plan. The Community wants to develop their own plan and for the plan to be included into the general plan.
    • Item 7 Approve a letter in opposition of the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act which would limit local government discretion and injects uncertainty into financing critical infrastructure and public services.
      • Alex Tavlian, representative of the California Coalition of Small Businesses,  talked about the initiative. The goals of this initiative are to allow taxpayers to confirm tax increases by the state legislature, to close a loophole that allows special taxes at the local level to be approved at a lower threshold, and empowers elected officials to take control of fee increases that affect local businesses. He asked the Board to withdraw their letter of opposition.
      • Supervisor Vander Poel asked why the League of Cities and CSAC are against the initiative. Tavlian said he thinks it is because they want to keep the status quo and there is a belief that there should be a loophole for increasing local special taxes.
      • Supervisor Shuklian said she is a representative of CSAC and asked if the initiative passes would fee increases go to the vote of the people. Tavlian said it would go to the Board but fee changes would also go to the Board for approval.
      • Shuklian asked for this to be discussed later. The Act is not qualified for voting yet.
        • Supervisor Micari said that if this passess it could have a big impact on the General Fund. He wants to see more research on this. Shuklian said it is not on the ballot yet. Vander Poel said the interest group is made of small businesses and taxpayers. He agrees they need more research on this.
        • Approved
    • The remainder of the Consent Calendar was approved, Item 7 was pulled and Item 11 was corrected 
  • Request from the Resource Management Agency to introduce an amendment to the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance to submit an application for a Zone Change from the AE-40 Exclusive Agricultural Zone to the C-2 General Commercial Zone, on two future parcels totaling 9.17 acres of a 19.17 acre parcel located at the southwest corner of Road 80 and Avenue 384. Set the adoption of the ordinance for May 3, 2022.
    • Aaron Bock introduced the amendment and showed maps of the location.
    • Jon Dolieslager, the property owner, was available for questions.
    • Steve Kuboteon, a neighbor of the property, is in support of the project.
    • Approved
  • Request from the Resource Management Agency to introduce an amendment to the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance to submit an application for a Zone Change from the AE20 Exclusive Agricultural Zone to the R-A-43 Rural Residential Zone, on 12 – one acre future parcels of a 14.10 acre parcel, located on the northeast corner of Lime Street and E. Reid Avenue. Set the adoption of the ordinance for May 3, 2022.
    • Aaron Bock introduced the amendment and showed maps of the location.
    • Mario Belmonte, a representative of the property owners, was available for questions.
    • Approved
  • Request from the Health and Human Services Agency to consider the proposed fee adjustments for Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency: Public Guardian, Health Operations, Environmental Health, and Animal Services Divisions for Fiscal Year 2022/2023. Adopt the fees recommended to cover costs. Authorize implementation of the fees beginning July 1, 2022.
    • Rob Stewart gave the presentation.
    • There are 102 proposed fee adjustments (75 new fees, 16 fee deletions, 11 increases)
      • Human Service Branch
        • Representative Payee requested fee $48 (currently $45)
      • Public Health Branch
        • Five new Public Health Laboratory fees. Four relate to COVID-19 detection. The other is for detection of tuberculosis.
        • Fee Adjustments
          • Birth Certificate requested fee $29 (currently $28)
          • Death Certificate requested fee $24 (currently $21)
          • Fetal Death requested fee $21 (currently $18)
          • Cross-File Permit requested fee $17 (currently $16)
        • Six Health Care Center fee adjustments. Four relate to routine patient visits. 99442 is for 11-20 minutes of telephone evaluation, 99441 is for 5-10 minutes of telephone evaluation. All have proposed increases.
        • Environmental Health Branch has 16 fee deletions and 23 new fees
          • Some deleted fees are various food prep retail facility fees, closed landfill fees, and recycling center fees.
          • Some new fees are various medical waste fees and various landfill inspection fees.
      • Animal Services, 47 new fees
        • Some of the new fees relate to wound repair, amputation, various medications, and various examinations. Most proposed fees are less than other nearby clinics.
    • Approved
  • Request from the Human Resources and Development Department to introduce an Ordinance pertaining to the appointment and tenure of the County’s Chief Probation Officer. Set May 3, 2022, for adoption of the Ordinance. 
    • Lupe Garza, Director of Human Resources, explained the request.
    • The department requests the Board to implement the alternative appointment. This allows for counties with established merit or civil service systems governing the methods of appointment of the Chief Probation Officer to have the provisions of the merit or civil systems to control the matter.
    • If the Board requests it, the Human Resourcesand Development Department will return with a revised job description.
    • Judge Mathias commented that there are two stages, enactment and implementation. The Court maintains a neutral decision. He said there should be guidance and communication between the Probation Officer and the Tulare County Superior Court.
      • Supervisor Valero asked if it would be ok to vote now even though the MOU has not been established. Judge Mathias said if they vote now they hope they will work out an agreement.
      • Supervisor Micari said it is always a priority to work with the Probation Department and the Court.
      • Supervisor Shuklian suggested waiting on voting on this item. Supervisor Vander Poel suggested they move forward with the vote. Supervisor Micari motioned to move forward with the vote and direct the CAO to work on an MOU
      • Approved, Supervisor Shuklian voted no
  • Request from the Board of Supervisors’ staff to consider, modify as needed, and approve the responses to the 2021/2022 Tulare County Grand Jury Final Report entitled, “Parks: Relax and Enjoy”.
    • Tammy Wiker Adkins, Chief of Staff, read the Board’s responses to the findings.
    • Findings
      • Finding 1: ARPA funding allows for improvement to nearly every county park and allows for recreational opportunities. Agree.
      • Finding 2: Previous budget restraints in the past 10 years have hindered improvements of all county parks. Agree
      • Finding 3: County parks have other employees and volunteers that are rotated within other parks. Partially agree. There are full time and not full time employees. There are some full time employees that are at parks that have more traffic.
      • Finding 3: The TCBOS established the Tulare County Advisory Parks Committee to provide citizen input of the park system. Agree
      • Finding 5: TCCGJ Bartlett and Cutler park are clean with many activities. Agree.
      • Finding 6: The County has created an online system to reserve arbors and pay for reservations. Agree.
    • Recommendation: GSA should continue grant funding for parks for maintenance and improvements. 
      • The recommendation has been partially implemented and there will be actions for full implementation.
    • Approved
  • There were no Board matter requests

Public Comment

  • Alvia, Policy Advocate for Tulare County with Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, spoke in support of the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) planning Grant for Matheny Tract. She encouraged the Board to apply for an implementation grant.
  • Manuel Hiron, resident of Matheny Tract, encouraged the Board to apply for the TCC Implementation Grant.
  • Reina, a resident of Matheney Tract, said a big problem is the sewer system and visibility at night. She asked for support for her community.

The meeting adjourned to a closed session. There will be no meeting next week, April 26, 2022. The next meeting will be May 3, 2022.

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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