Here’s what you need to know

  • The Tulare County Board of Supervisors met on Oct. 18, 2022 and presented a proclamation recognizing October as National Pedestrian Safety Month. Reed Schenke gave a presentation on pedestrian safety in which he said some ways to improve pedestrian safety are outreach and more projects such as sidewalks.
  • Approved a General Plan Amendment to change the land use designation for two properties from “Agriculture” to “Service Commercial.” The applicant for both properties is Greg Dowds. There were no public comments for these items.
  • Approved an Administrator Grant Agreement with California Water Resource Control Board for the county to serve as the administrator for the East Orosi Community Services District, in an amount not to exceed $585,923, effective November 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. 
  • The appointment and employment structure for the Chief Probation Officer position was established and approved. Through this system the court has time to comment, the selection committee screens the applicants, final candidates are interviewed and chosen by the goard, and background information is shared with the court. 

Follow up questions

  • Will Supervisor Micari’s amendment to the social host ordinance be part of the consent calendar for next week’s meeting?
At the Oct. 18 Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting, a proclamation was presented to Flora Johnson, Founder of Grandma’s House, recognizing her retirement and service to the county.

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 October 18, 2022. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. 

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Last week was a Greater Kaweah GSA meeting while he attended a meeting in Farmersville. 
      • Upcoming is a Kings Tulare Master Plan for Aging Committee meeting, Government 101, and his 12 year wedding anniversary.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Last week she MC’d Innovators By Design, toured the Central Valley Training Center, Leadership Visalia meeting, and judged Tulare County District Attorney Investigators rib cook off.
      • Upcoming is a Task Force on Homeless meeting, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Board, and will be the keynote speaker of Leadership Northern Tulare County welcome ceremony.
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Last week was the Southern California Edison multicultural event and a Kings Tulare Agency on Aging meeting.
      • Upcoming is a California LAFCO meeting, cleanup event in Woodville, Coffee with a Supervisor in Farmersville, Hands in the Community dinner, Larry Longday in Poplar, East Kaweah GSA, and the Exeter Unified School District fentanyl presentation
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Last week was a Springville Town hall, fundraiser for Proteus, Pioneer Days in Porterville, check presentation of Senator Hurtado, TCERA, RCRC meeting, a host committee for Vince Fong, Sustainable Corridors committee, Senator Hurtado presented a check for the Friant Kern Canal project., Springville Apple Festival, Treasure Trove dinner in Porterville, TCAG, and Tulare County Transportation Authority meeting. 
      • Upcoming is Meet The Pros day, Respite on The Ranch fundraiser, Make a Difference day, and he will be MC’ing Night at the Races. 
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week was an AT&T Three Rivers community meeting, Law Library Advisory Board meeting, check presentation in Woodlake, Happy Trails fundraiser, 100th anniversary of Pumpkin Hollow Bridge, and an Ivanhoe Town Hall. 
      • Upcoming he will be presenting a certificate of recognition to Dinuba’s Linked Learning Gold Certification Celebration, Mineral King National Park meeting, finance committee meeting for Proteus, Cutler-Orosi Town Hall with CalTrans, Open Gate Ministries fundraiser, UC Merced tour, Hand in the Community event, and Make A Difference day.
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing Flora Johnson, Founder of Grandma’s House, on her retirement and service to Tulare County. 
    • A video was shown presenting the life of Flora Johnson. Supervisor Vander Poel presented the proclamation. Johnson retired after 14 years of working for Grandma’s House. Johnson thanked the Board for their support.
  • Recognize Lisa Dougherty upon her retirement from the General Services Agency/Print & Mail Services, for her many years of County Service. 
    • Chair Valero thanked Doughtery for her many years of service to the County. Dougherty has worked for 37 years with the County. Brooke Sisk, GSA Director, wished her the best in her retirement. Art Arreola, Print and Mail Manager, also thanked Dougherty for her excellence. Each of the Board members thanked her.
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing the week of October 23­-31, 2022 as Red Ribbon Week in Tulare County. 
    • Casey Pierce, Office of Education Choices Program, thanked their partners for their support and spoke of the importance of Red Ribbon Week. This year’s theme is “Celebrate life. Live drug free”. Supervisor Shuklian presented the proclamation.
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing October as National Pedestrian Safety Month. 
    • Chair Valero introduced and presented the proclamation. There is an average of one pedestrian killed every 81 minutes in America. Reed Schenke gave a presentation on pedestrian safety. 
      • In Tulare County there were 42 collisions resulting in death or serious injury last year. Some ways to improve pedestrian safety are education outreach, projects such as sidewalks, and partner enforcements. 
  • (Approved) The consent calendar (Items 9-37) was approved.
    • Supervisor Micari was absent for this vote of approval.
    • Some of the approved items included canceling the Board of Supervisors meeting on December 20, 2022 (Item 12), an agreement with Abrazo Foster Family Agency to provide services on behalf of Tulare County Child Welfare Services foster children to include the care and placement of foster children (Item 19) and the affirmation of a Local Emergency due to the Sequoia Complex Fire (Item 32).
  • (Approved) Request from the Resource Management Agency (RMA) to approve a General Plan Amendment to add 20 acres to the East Visalia Urban Development Boundary and change the Land Use Designation from “Agriculture” to “Service Commercial” in Visalia, CA. Introduce an ordinance amending the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance for Change of Zone from the AE­20 (Exclusive Agriculture, 20­Acre Minimum) Zone to the PD­C­3­SC (Planned Development, Service Commercial, Scenic Corridor Combining) Zone. Set the adoption of the ordinance for October 25, 2022. 
    • Aaron Bock presented the item. The applicant is Greg Dowds and the owner is Ronda Hash. The amendment is to change the land from agriculture to service commercial. There were no comments from the neighbors of this project.
    • Greg Dowds, representative of the property owner, said they have held a meeting with the neighbors and there were no complaints. 
    • Supervisor Shuklian asked about the home on the property. Dowds said they plan on renting it until phase three.
    • Approved
  • (Approved) Request from the RMA to approve a General Plan Amendment to change the Land Use Designation from “Agriculture” to “Service Commercial” on property located in Patterson Tract. Introduce an ordinance amending the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance for Change of Zone from R­O (Single Family Estate) to C­3­MU (Service Commercial with Mixed Use Overlay). Set the adoption of the ordinance for October 25, 2022.
    • Aaron Bock presented the item. The applicant is Greg Dowds and the owner is Atkins Family LP. The amendment is to change the land from agriculture to service commercial. City Comments said they should perhaps not move forward with this project because they may plan to develop the area in the future. RMA still requested approval.
    • Greg Dowds, representative of the property owner, said the water usage would be reduced by this project. Everything will be built to city standards.
    • Approved
  • (Approved) Request from the RMA to approve an Administrator Grant Agreement with California Water Resource Control Board for the County to serve as a Full­Scope Administrator for the East Orosi Community Services District, in an amount not to exceed $585,923, effective November 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. Direct the Auditor Controller to establish the East Orosi Administrator Fund to receive deposits and disburse payments related to the Administrator agreement with the State Water Board. Approve the model resolution establishing the initial operating budget for the East Orosi Administrator Fund. Approve the necessary budget adjustments.
    • Ross Miller, Chief Engineer of RMA, gave a presentation on the East Orosi Water System Administratorship. Some water system issues are aging infrastructure, water quality, and financial limitations.
    • The proposed solutions are for the county to serve as the administrator for the water system, replace the water distribution system, construct a new well, build a pipeline from East Orosi to Orosi, build a pipeline from Orosi to the new well, and consolidate with Orosi Public utility district.
      • The grant budget for the county to serve as the administrator for two years is $585,923.
    • Risks
      • Additional grant funding is required, the project may extend the two year administration term, there may be financial changes from the state, and limited transitions of files and records.
    • Grants and community outreach meetings are planned.
    • Approved
  • (Approved) Request from the Human Resources & Development Department to approve the annual salary for the position of Health and Human Services Agency Director, in Bargaining Unit 10, in an amount not to exceed $205,000, with the same standard benefits provided to Bargaining Unit 10 employees, and an additional benefit of Auto Allowance at $631 monthly, effective October 23, 2022. 
    • Lupe Garza, Human Resources Director, introduced the item.
    • Donna, the new Health and Human Services Agency Director, said she is grateful for this position and said to focus on “coordinated care.”
    • Approved
  • (Approved) Request from the County Administrative Office to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Superior Court of California, County of Tulare, to establish the appointment and employment structure for the Chief Probation Officer position effective October 18, 2022 and continuing until terminated by either party. 
    • Jason Britt, County Administrative Officer, explained the item. The court will have 10 days to comment on the recruitment. A selection committee will screen the applicants. Final candidates will be interviewed and chosen by the board. After selection, background information is shared with the court. 
    • Approved
  • Board matter requests
    • Supervisor Micari requested an amendment to the social host ordinance that he has been working on be added to the next meeting’s agenda.

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

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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