Here’s what you need to know:

  • There is an increase in Covid cases with 603 new cases being reported this week. The positivity rate is 8.6%. According to the CDC, Tulare County has a low transmission rate.
  • Jullissa Maldanado, her family, and friends spoke during public comment about how her graduation party was ruined when the Sheriff’s department arrested her father. The officers were called due to a noise complaint and the incident ended with her father Javier Maldanado’s arrest. Sheriff Boudreaux said that what was said during public comment was inaccurate based on the body camera footage he saw and that he is offended by claims that the Sheriff’s Department targets the Hispanic community.
  • Many park improvement projects have been approved in Alpaugh, Bartlett, Cutler, Goshen, Kings River, Ledbetter, Mooney Grove, and Pixley Parks. Some of these improvements include repairs and replacements to the arbor, grills, irrigation, and picnic tables.

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 June 7, 2022. It began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Supervisor Shuklian was absent. 

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Upcoming is a Tulare County Employees Retirement Association meeting, Tulare County Employees Retirement Investment Committee, Tulare Downtown Association annual meeting, Tulare County First 5 Technical Advisory Committee, United Way Power of the Purse event, and the Salute to Dairy event. 
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Last week was Memorial Day and his grandmother was featured at the Tulare Museum as a pioneer for Portuguese culture. 
      • Upcoming is a Public Nuisance Ordinance meeting, a retirement ceremony for Superintendent Doug Cardoso, Visalia Chamber annual awards ceremony, a meeting with Sierra View and RMA regarding the health clinic in Strathmore, and the Salute to Dairy event.
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Last week he toured the road yard in Terrabella and Porterville and was awarded the Friends of SCICON Award. HE also attended the Springville Community Plan update, Porterville Military Academy graduation, and a Habitat for Humanity meeting.
      • Upcoming is a Public Nuisance Ordinance meeting, rural broadband meeting, RCRC drought committee meeting, the Leadership Porterville graduation, and the Tulare Chamber of Commerce salute to AG.
    • Supervisor Valero 
      • Last week he spoke on SB-222 in Sacramento, had a call with the Latino Caucus of California Counties, spoke at Orosi High School graduation, and met with exchange students from Georgia. 
      • Upcoming is a Dinuba Chamber Government Affairs meeting, a drought meeting in Los Angeles, United Way Power of the Purse, Dutch Bros ribbon cutting in Dinuba, and the Leadership Northern Tulare County graduation. 
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing June 2022 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Tulare County.
    • Supervisor Townsend presented the proclamation. 
    • John Mauro, HHSA Director of Adult Services, said “At least 10% of adults age 60 or over will experience some form of elder abuse this year”. He acknowledged some of his colleges for their help in serving elders.
  • Receive an update from the Health & Human Services Agency on COVID-19 status and response efforts in Tulare County.
    • Karen Elliot, Public Health Director, presented the update. 
    • There is an increase in positive cases. 
      • 108,531 Covid cases, 603 cases this week
      • 17.1% case rate, 8.6% positivity rate
      • R effective is 1.2%, which means transmission rate is high. According to the CDC, Tulare County is still in the low community levels. It is reported every Thursday.
      • 1,498 total deaths
      • 57.3% are fully vaccinated
    • The California Department of Public Health will likely implement antigen testing for schools next year.
    • The testing center at the Tulare Fairgrounds is planned to close at the end of June.
    • More guidance on isolation and quarantine will be provided by the State.
  • Consent Calendar
    • Item 29 was removed
    • Supervisor Micari commented on Items 8-10. 
      • He thanked Dr. Jennifer Newell, Mark Gist, and Erica Pine for their dedication for the community and volunteering for the boards. 
      • Supervisor Vader Poel noted that Terry Sayre is being appointed as well. 
    • The remainder of the consent calder was approved
  • Request from the RMA to approve the County’s proposed submission of three application(s) under the 2022 State Department of Housing and Community Development 2022 Community Development Block Grant Notice of Funding Availability and Program Guidelines. Adopt a resolution approving the submission of an application for funding for the 2022 Community Development Block Program and a resolution approving the Community Development Block Grant Health & Safety Repair Program Guidelines and the Subsistence Payment Program Guidelines. Approve the submittal of applications for funding from the State Department of Housing and Community Development 2022 Community Development Block Grant Program. Approve a Subrecipient Agreement with Self-Help Enterprises to allocate Community Development Block Grant Program funds made available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, in the amount of $1,040,000, effective June 7, 2022 through June 7, 2027.
    • Mike Washam gave the presentation. 
    • The grant is competitive and awards up to $1.5 million.
    • Proposed activities
      • $500,000 for Health & Safety Repair Program
      • $400,000 Program Income Commitment
      • $500,00 for subsistence payments
      • $75,000 for planning and technical assistance. 
    • Self Help will administer the programs
    • Comments and suggestions can be submitted in writing to the Resource Management Agency Attn. Sandra Sabin, 5961 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93277
    • Approved
  • Request from the District Attorney’s Office to introduce an Uncodified Ordinance Adopting a Military Equipment Use Policy for the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. Set the adoption of the ordinance for June 28, 2022 (Item 60). Request from the Probation Department, to introduce an Uncodified Ordinance Adopting a Military Equipment Use Policy for the Tulare County Probation Department. Set the adoption of the ordinance for June 28, 2022 (Item 61). 
    • Items 60 and 61 were presented and voted upon at the same time. 
    • Gil Cardenas, Assistant Chief of the District Attorney’s Office, presented the request from the District Attorney’s Office (Item 60)
    • Margarita Luna, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, presented the request from the Probation Department (Item 61). A Colt AR-15 will be used for training purposes and is not issued out to officer’s 
      • Supervisor Vander Poel said he thinks it ridiculous that this has to be done. He does not think they need to “tell the criminals what they’re up against”. Supervisor Townsend and Supervisor Micari agreed.
    • Items 60 and 61 approved
  • Request from the General Services Agency to approve park improvement projects at Alpaugh, Bartlett, Cutler, Goshen, Kings River, Ledbetter, Mooney Grove, and Pixley Parks, in an amount not to exceed $6,735,200, per the Tulare County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Interim Recovery Plan. Approve the necessary budget adjustments. 
    • Brooke Sisk, General Services Agency Director, presented the request. 
    • Projects
      • Alphagh – replace arbor, grills, irrigation, and electric 
      • Bartlett – a new well
      • Cutler – irrigation, paving, repair & replace arbors
      • Goshen – picnic tables, arbor, and grills
      • Kings River – replace arbor and picnic tables
      • Ledbetter – improvements to sports fields
      • Mooney Grove – renovate the bridge, repair & replace arbors, picnic tables, and grills
      • Pixley – repair & replace arbors, picnic tables, and grills, replace water distribution system and irrigation
    • Projects need to be started as soon as possible due to long lead times to make sure the funds are spent in time.
    • Supervisor Micari suggested looking into drought resistant features.
    • Approved
  • There were no Board matter requests

Public Comment

  • Enrique Hugo described an incident that happened at his niece’s graduation party. The Sheriff’s department arrived due to a noise complaint. After the second time, the Deputy Sheriff told them they could not use their bluetooth speaker and he yanked out the cords. He believes what they did was wrong. 
    • Julissa Maldanado, the graduate, spoke about how the Sheriff ruined her graduation by taking her father, Javier Maldanado, away. She describes seeing this as traumatizing. 
    • John Sawyer described one of the officers as being very aggressive and physical. He and the officer are both white, and said the officer addressed him with respect and did not with anybody else.
    • Jordan Maldanado, Julissa Maldanado’s brother, said his father was treated unfairly. He believes the officers were taunting them and the event was hurtful for his whole family. 
    • Euler Torres, District Director for LULAC, said Javier Maldanado is a LULAC President and this event has gone up to the organization’s national office. He has received reports that the Sheriff’s Department is targeting Mexican parties. He believes quiet hour ordinances should be delivered by the County Office, not to homes from deputies. At the party he was asked for a permit even though one was not needed. He wants the ordinance to be fixed and is worried about Mexicans getting shot.
    • Ruben Durant, a business owner, attended the party. He described the party as being out in the country. He is part of the Tulare County Association of Realtors and believes what the Sheriff’s department did was not right.
  • Marylin Malloy, apologized to Supervisor Shuklian for her comment made in a previous meeting. She wants data showing that Covid has been isolated in Tulare County. If it cannot be proven, she wants Tulare County to end its state of emergency. 
  • Sheriff Boudreaux said the department serves all people of the County. Due to a call from Euler Torres, he reviewed all body cameras of the incident and what was said today was not accurate. He invited anyone who is interested to come to the Sheriff’s office to watch the footage. He was very offended by the suggestion that the Sheriff’s department targets the Hispanic community. He still considers Javier and Euler his friends.
  • Pamela Silva said there was a judge who said making people wear a mask on a plane is unconstitutional. She wants to not be forced to wear a mask while grocery shopping. She congratulated Julissa Maldanado on her graduation and asked that she be mindful of other people in the area.

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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