Here’s what you need to know

  • The Tulare County Board of Supervisors met on Oct. 25, 2022 and received a presentation on Resources for Independence Central Valley. They are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower independence by offering services such as peer counseling and support. Rebecca Donabed and Michael Esquibel from Resources for Independence Central Valley spoke over Zoom to thank the Board.
  • The supervisors approved changing the Land Use Designation from “Agriculture” to “Light Industrial” on 30 acres of two 40-acre, split zoned, Light Industrial parcels in Goshen. Resource Management Agency Assistant Director Aaron Bock described the change as a “clean up” rezone. 
  • Tulare County is expected to receive $12 million from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund, through the U.S. Department of Treasury, for use on any governmental purpose over fiscal years 2022 and 2023.The County Administrative Officer’s signature and certification submission was approved. Supervisor Townsend said this is the highest allocation possible of this fund.
  • An Orosi resident expressed concerns about pedestrian safety. She said that kids can’t have a safe Halloween there, if the streets are not. She said two people have been killed this week and they have previously asked for a crosswalk where one of the people died. 

Follow up Questions

  • Why has the county not put in more safety precautions for pedestrians in the areas previously asked for in Orosi? Are they planning these projects already?
  • What will the $12 million from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund be used for? 

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 6 p.m. on October 25, 2022. Closed session was held at 4 p.m. and open session began at 6 p.m. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. 

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Last week was the Summer Charter Academy Meet the Pros event, Valley Adult Day Services fundraiser, Make A Difference Day, and Night At the Races fundraiser.
      • Upcoming is an Ag Business lunch meeting, Government Affairs Committee for the Chamber of Commerce, Golden State Connect Authority meeting, and a Sierra View Foundation Board meeting.
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Last week was a CalLAFCO Conference, David Maurer memorial scholarship dinner, Woodville cleanup, Coffee With the Supervisor event, Hands in the Community Dinner, presented the Central Valley Empowerment Alliance certificate, East Kaweah GSA, fentanyl presentation at Exeter High School, Senator Hurtado presented a check for the Farmersville fire station, and attended a Social Host Ordinance meeting.
      • Upcoming is a Coffee With the Supervisor event, The Source Halloween party, teaching a hunter education class, giving out candy at ImagineU, and the Lindsay Harvest Festival.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Last week was a Task Force on Homelessness meeting, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Board meeting, welcomed Leadership Northern Tulare County students, and attended a celebration of life for Evan Long.
      • Upcoming is a Tulare County Economic Development Corporation meeting, Trunk or Treat with Child Welfare Services, Source Bash, and the ImagineU trick or treat event. 
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Last week was a Greater Kaweah GSA meeting and stakeholder meeting.
      • Upcoming is a follow-up Greater Kaweah GSA meeting, TCERA, and an International AG Center Board meeting.
    • Supervisor Valero
      • Last week was the Mountain Community plan workshop, practicing for Dancing with the Stars, and a fundraiser for teen moms.
      • Upcoming is a fundraiser for teen moms, sharing opening remarks for HHSA Paint Your Future, attending the Sequoia Yosemite RCDC Executive meeting, Proteus Board retreat, Farmer Bob’s World retreat, and the ImagineU Halloween event.
  • Present a Proclamation recognizing October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.
    • Supervisor Micari presented the proclamation. No representatives from Resource for Independence attended due to transportation issues. Micari took the proclamation to give to them in person.
  • Receive a Presentation from Resources for Independence Central Valley
    • Because no representatives from Resources for Independence attended, Supervisor Micari gave the presentation. They are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower independence. Some of their services are teaching independent living skills, transition and diversion services, and peer counseling and support.
    • Rebecca Donabed, Community Organizer from Resources for Independence, spoke over Zoom and asked if anyone would be interested in contacting them for more information. The main office is in Fresno. Michael Esquibel, Independent Living Specialist, thanked the board for the proclamation and their support.
  • Receive a Presentation from the Visalia Environmental Alliance recognizing one of their Environmental Hero Families.
    • Supervisor Shuklian introduced the item. Dale Simmons and Jeff Alexander from the Visalia Environmental Alliance presented awards to five of their Environmental Heroes. They then took pictures with the Board.
  • Receive a Presentation from the General Services Agency recognizing Mooney Grove Park Muralists.
    • Brooke Sisk, General Services Agency Director, gave the presentation. Five murals were recently added to Mooney Grove Park. Some park improvement projects are to renovate the bridge, pond improvements, and a dog park.
      • The artists are Heidi Steinman (California Poppies), Jana Botkin (North Fork), Joy Collier (Here’s Looking at You), Katy Nave Kemalyan (Mooney Grove Postcard), and Colleen Mitchel Veyna & Kelsey Jiles (Carousel Horse). 
  • (Approved) Consent Calendar (Items 8-40)
    • Supervisor Valero recused himself for Item 19 because he sits on the Proteus Board. Item 19 was pulled for separate consideration.
      • (Approved) Item 19: Approve an agreement with Proteus, Inc. to provide services on behalf of Tulare County Child Welfare Services foster children to include the care and placement of foster children, in an amount of zero dollars, effective October 25, 2022 through June 30, 2025.
      • Approved
    • Correction to Item 12. The Item should read “Appoint Michele Eton to the Seat 8 – Family on the Tulare County Mental Health Board for a term ending December 31, 2022.”
    • The remainder of the consent calendar was approved.
    • Some of the approved items included the approval of an agreement with San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. to host interns in Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency’s Public Health Branch (Item 21), the approval of a purchase of ten generators in an amount not to exceed $67,500 (Item 27), and the approval of the designation of a one-way stop at at the intersection of Avenue 324 & Road 204 in Woodlake (Item 38). 
  • (Approved) Public Hearing: Request from the Resource Management Agency to approve the 2022 Goshen Community Plan Update to change the Goshen Urban Development Boundary and Land Use Designation from “Agriculture” to “Light Industrial” on 30 acres of two 40-acre, split zoned, Light Industrial parcels in Goshen. Introduce an ordinance amending Paragraph B of Section 3 of Ordinance No. 352, the Tulare County Zoning Ordinance for Change of Zone from AE-40 (Exclusive Agricultural)  Zone to the M-1 (Light Manufacturing) Zone. Set the adoption of the ordinance for November 1, 2022.
    • Aaron Bock, Assistant Director RMA, presented the request. Applicant is the County. It is a “clean up” rezone that changes the zone designation from agriculture to light industrial. Some of the Goshen EIR Addendums are that water will be provided by Cal Water and sewer will require annexation from LAFCO and CSD.
    • Approved
  • (Approved) Request from the County Administrative Office to ratify and approve the County Administrative Officer’s signature and certification submission for receipt of funding, in an amount not to exceed $12 million, from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund allocation, through the U.S. Department of Treasury, for use on any governmental purpose over fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Accept $6 million in funding for each fiscal year 2022 and 2023 for a total amount of $12 million to be spent on eligible projects and expenditures.
    • Jason Britt presented the request. Tulare County is expected to receive $12 million from this fund for fiscal year 2022/23. The funds must be requested by January.
    • Supervisor Townsend said this is the highest allocation of this fund.
    • Approved
  • There were no board matter requests

Public Comment

  • Sam thanked the board for their help. Some of the ways they have helped him is by solving the traffic issue in front of his business, he received security checks by the Sheriff’s Office, and has had less people stealing his walnuts.
  • Mary Jane Galviso asked how Orosi can have a safe Halloween if the streets are not safe. She said two people have been killed this week and they have previously asked for a crosswalk where one of the people died. She wants the County to look into making the streets safer for pedestrians.

The meeting adjourned. Closed session was held before the meeting.

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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