Here’s what you need to know:

  • The Tulare County Board of Supervisors declared July 17-23 as Services Week in Tulare County. Representatives from the Probation department accepted the proclamation and took a picture with the Board.
  • The board approved a request from the Solid Waste Department to declare an emergency due to the impending failure of the Cotton Gin Water Well at the Visalia Landfill. This new well will not go through the public bidding process and a vendor has already been chosen. Water saving measures are being looked into.
  • The board also approved shifting $1.2 million of Goshen Village East project’s funding to the Neighborhood Village project’s fund. This is due to the Neighborhood Village project only receiving  $2.684 million of the $5 million grant they applied for. The project is made in partnership with Self Help Enterprises and Salt + Light.

Follow up questions:

  • When will the new well at the Visalia landfill be finished and ready for use?
  • When will the amendment to the PLHA program be finalized? Will this matter be voted upon by the Board in an upcoming meeting?

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

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Last week was an Eastern Tule GSA meeting. 
      • Upcoming is an interview with Hopper in the Morning, a Camp Nelson Town Hall, and meetings with staff about social host ordinance and solid waste.
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Last week he got phone calls about Tooleville’s wells going out.
      • Upcoming is a meeting with Sierra View Clinic in Strathmore, AG advisory meeting, Visalia State of the County, SGVIA, and East Kaweah GSA meeting.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Upcoming is the Visalia State of the County, Parks Advisory meeting, Tulare County Economic Development Administrative Committee, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority meeting, and San Joaquin Insurance Authority Meeting. 
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Last week he had a meeting with Allensworth about their budget. 
      • Upcoming is a San Joaquin Valley Insurance authority and Greater Kaweah GSA meeting.
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week East Orosi’s electrical system had an electrical problem. 
      • Upcoming is the National Association of Counties Conference and West Goshen’s Safe Drinking Water Program Stakeholder meeting
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing July 17-23 as Probation Services Week in Tulare County.
    • Supervisor Valero presented the proclamation. Margarita Luna, Mike Santos, Shannon Ormonde.
      • Luna thanked the Board for recognizing probation professionals for their dedication.
  • The consent calendar was approved.
  • Request from the Solid Waste Department to declare the existence of an emergency due to the impending failure of the Cotton Gin Water Well at the Visalia Landfill. The emergency will not permit a delay in installing a new water well. This action is necessary to respond to the emergency. Direct the General Services Agency to enter into a sole source contract with a qualified well driller to design, construct, and install a new water well, pump, and associated improvements at the Visalia landfill. Declare that such actions are statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”). 
    • Bryce Howard, Director of Solid Waste, presented the request.
    • The request is to put a new well at the Visalia landfill and not go through the public bidding process.
      • Supervisor Vander Poel asked if their intended vendor has been used before. Howard said the County has used them before and they are trustworthy.
      • Supervisor Micari asked about water saving measures. Howard said they reached out to a vendor to test their water saving methods. 
    • Approved
  • Request from the Resource Management Agency to propose an amendment to the 5-Year Expenditure Plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program. 
    • Mike Washam, Tulare County RMA, presented the request.
    • PLHA provides funding for local governments for housing related projects.
      • There are formula grants and competitive grants.
    • The original 5 year plan was adopted in 2020. It grants $3.5 million.
      • It will fund lofts at Fort Visalia and Goshen Village East. Both are in partnership with Self Help Enterprises.
    • The County applied for a $5 million competitive grant in 2021 to fund the construction of the Neighborhood Village, in partnership with Self Help Enterprises and Salt + Light. The project was awarded $2.684 million.
      • Staff proposes shifting $1.2 million of Goshen Village East’s funding to the Neighborhood Village project.
    • Members of the public may submit written comments to Tulare County RMA 5961 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia, CA 93277
    • Approved
  • There were no Board matter requests.

Public Comment

  • Gaylen Williams returned to ask the Board if they have reviewed his business plan for starting  a cannabis business. Supervisor Valero replied that these matters take time to fully review.

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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