Here’s what you need to know:

  • Many awards were given to Central Valley Christian, Woodlake, Dinuba, Golden West, Minanche, Tulare Union, and Exeter FFA chapters and their students. 
  • The Board agreed to consider funding the maintenance of the storm drainage system improvements, public streets, and roadways in Goshen Village. Any changes must first be approved by the property owners through ballots. A public hearing will be held May 3, 2022 where all ballots must be returned by then.
  • The purchase of properties in Porterville and Earlimart were approved. Both locations will become Sheriff’s substations.

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 March 1, 2022. It began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Supervisor Valero asked everyone to “keep Ukraine in our hearts and in our prayers”.

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Last week Allensworth’s water system was not functioning and it was fixed shortly after. He also attended a Tulare County Association of Governments meeting.
      • Upcoming is a Highway 99 summit, a meeting with the Executive Director of First 5, and a LAFCO meeting.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • She participated in the Farm Bureau Valentine’s drive thru dinner and the Woodville park reopening.
      • Upcoming is the California State Associations of Counties Board of Directors meeting and the Tulare County Historical Society annual meeting.
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Last week he attended a meeting with district attorney Tim Ward, an Ivan meeting, RCRC legislative update, RAN board meeting, the Woodville park reopening, cooked and served food with SPDS in Tipton, and an East Kaweah GSA meeting.
      • Upcoming is a tour meeting with RCRC, LAFCO meeting, Poppler community district meeting, and a meeting with the Knight of Columbus honoring fire and law enforcement in Exeter.
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • He attended Harmony Magnet Academy’s student interviews, Mighty 190 meeting, Tulare County Economic Development Corporation Summit, spoke at SETCO dinner, RCRC meeting, spoke with Springville Community Club, zoom meeting about the Pre-Valley voice trip, gave the opening prayer and certificates at Monache High School’s athletic hall of fame, spoke at Lighthouse chapel to celebrate 25 years of ministry, TCAG meeting, and a TCTA meeting.
      • Upcoming is the RCRC tour of Tulare County,  LAFCO meeting, Sierra Nevada Conservancy meeting, Easter Tule GSA, and a Habitat for Humanity meeting.
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week he attended Woodlake town hall, Central Valley Planning Committee meeting, King River East GSA, economic development event, California Volunteers Commission meeting, Yosemite/Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council meeting, Young Lives Banquet, TCAG meeting, Tulare County Regional Transportation meeting, and a Delve colony meeting, 
      • Upcoming Read across America, Lead committee meeting, Latino Caucus of California meeting, Leadbetter walkthrough, Well Fellowship group meeting, Woodlake annual awards banquet, and the Knights of Columbus awards event.
  • Present Certificates recognizing the 2021 Future Farmers of America award recipients and schools
    • Presented by Supervisor Micari. He thanked Dan Crookham, Tricia Stever Blatler, and Shea Hopper
    • Recognized seven chapters: Central Valley Christian, Woodlake, Dinuba, Golden West, Minanche, Tulare Union, and Exeter
      • Silver emblem: Golden West; Gold emblem: Dinuba, Woodlake, and Golden West; Three star award: Exeter, Minanche
      • Agriculture proficiency award: Danae Wester for AG science animal systems and Mason Howarth for wildlife management.
      • AG science fair award: Marylin Medoza and Jeremey Freddy for placing 3rd in plant systems
      • Tulare Union chapter award winner for AG issues: Avery Cuello, Emma Qualo, Madeline Lou, Duncan Champagne, and Aiden Champagne.
      • Dinuba chapter award winner for nursery and landscape: Jesus Gutierrez, Yvonne Cortez, Victor Martinez, and Zahcariah Nelson.
      • Woodlake chapter award winner for meats evaluation and technology: Page Perez, Reagan Henderson, Jessica Henderson, and Isaiah Benavidez
      • Golden West chapter award winner for AG technology and mechanical systems: Sam Pratt, Wyatt Benson, Alejandro DeAlba, and Ernie.
      • A few members received the American FFA Degree
    • The Board thanked the schools and students for their hard work and achievements and then took a group photo.
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing March 2022 as Red Cross Month in Tulare County
    • Supervisor Townsend presented the proclamation. Lori Wilson all thanked the volunteers.
  • Consent calendar
    • Items 9, 11, 12, 27 were pulled for further consideration
    • Supervisor Micari commented on Items 13-18. He thanked everyone who stepped forward to get appointed on the board and Steve Melanesio for being a representative for the East Kaweah GSA.
    • The remainder of the consent calendar was approved
    • Item 9 Approve a letter of opposition to Senate Bill 866 regarding the allowance of minors aged 12 years old and up to consent to vaccines that meet specified federal agency criteria, and the allowance of vaccine providers to administer the vaccines that are being proposed by the bill.
      • Pamela Silva spoke against this bill. She wants the Board to do more than just say they are against it. She says this bill goes against her rights.
      • Jimmy Malloy from District 2 is against this bill because he believes 12 year olds are not able to make life altering decisions without parental involvement. He wants the public to be made more aware of this.
      • Approved
    • Item 11 Approve a letter of opposition to Senate Bill 871 in regards to the removal of the personal belief exemption and the addition of the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of required vaccinations a child must have prior to admittance to any public or private elementary or secondary school, childcare center, day nursery, nursery school, family day care home, or development center, that the bill proposes.
      • Pamela Silva supports the opposition of this bill. She doesn’t want any law that goes against the Constitution to be passed.
      • Jimmy Malloy also spoke against this bill because it removes the personal belief exemption. He wants this to have more public support as well.
      • Supervisor Vander Poel is strongly against removing the personal belief exemption. 
      • Approved
    • Item 12 Reaffirm the findings of Board Resolution that would allow the Board of Supervisors and its subcommittees to hold meetings remotely according to the modified Brown Act teleconferencing set for in Assembly Bill 361.
      • Pamela Silva is against this because it allows the Board to abuse it. She says it is unconstitutional.
      • Supervisor Valero and Shuklian clarified that this still allows the public to attend meetings in person. It allows people who cannot or do not want to attend in person to attend remotely. 
      • Approved
    • Item 27 Approve an agreement with Family HealthCare Network, for vaccine administration, in an amount not to exceed $200,000, retroactive from May 1, 2021 and ends upon the termination of both the State Emergency Declaration and the Local Emergency Declaration.
      • Karen Elliot explained the item. Healthcare partners assisted in administering vaccines. The Board entered an agreement with Family HealthCare Network.
      • Pamela Silva asked where the healthcare providers are getting their money. She is against jobs requiring employees to get the vaccine.
      • Approved
  • Request from the Resource Management Agency to consider funding the maintenance of the storm drainage system improvements in Goshen Village.
    • Reed Schenke of RMA explained the item
    • 73 residential lots constructed in three phases
    • Total assessment fee is $25.92 per lot, a discount for the existing property owners
    • Property owners must approve it. A public hearing will be held May 3, 2022 where all ballots must be returned by then.
    • Supervisor Valero asked if we have seen this done before. Schenke said they usually see this in multi-housing developments and there is opportunity to do this in other locations.
    • Approved
  • Request from the Resource Management Agency to consider funding the maintenance of the public streets and roadways in Goshen Village.
    • Similar to the previous item but this item is about road maintenance in the same location.
    • Total assessment fee is $76.82 per lot
    • Property owners must approve it. A public hearing will be held May 3, 2022 where all ballots must be returned by then.
    • 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 in Block 73 of the Goshen Townsite is not excess right of way and is necessary for current or prospective public use.
    • Reed Schenke said this is a continued public hearing from January 25, 2022 and requested to continue this item to April 12, 2022.
    • Motion to continue this item to April 12, 2022 approved
  • Request from the General Services Agency to approve the purchase of real property located at 1839 S. Newcomb, Porterville, in an amount not to exceed $2,800,000.
    • Supervisor Townsend did not participate in this agenda item due to a financial conflict of interest because he has received/will receive income from the property owner.
    • Jacalynne Wells, General Services Property Manager, introduced the item. The location will become a new sheriff’s substation.
    • Supervisor Shuklian said this location is ideal.
    • Approved
  • Request from the General Services Agency to approve the purchase of a 1.28 acre portion of real property located at 159 S. Valente Rd., Earlimart, for $410,000.
    • Jacalynn Wells introduced the item. It will become a new Sheriff’s substation.
    • Approved
  • There were no Board Matter Requests

Public Comment

  • Tammie Wyker-Adkins, Chief of Staff, reintroduced Patrick Burks as the Board representative. Burks thanked the Board.
  • AG Commissioner Tom Tucker thanked the FFA and everyone who received an AG award. As the Sealer of Weights and Measures, he thanked the Board for their support.
  • Pamela Silva  spoke about bills passed that she believes goes against people’s rights. She is against people being forced to show their vaccination status.

The meeting adjourned to a closed session.

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