Documented by Dani Huerta

Here’s what you need to know

  • During the Jan. 24 Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting, the consent calendar was approved, which included the purchase of two new transit vans for public health nursing and a tractor for the Sheriff’s Department farm run by inmates.
  • A public hearing was held to consider a wastewater service fee adjustment for the Traver Zone of Benefit Wastewater System in County Service Area #1. The adjustment would increase from $36.50 to $58.01 per month. 104 protesting votes were needed for the majority protests to succeed although only 94 valid protests were received. After some time deliberating, the board voted to approve the fee adjustment. 
  • Grants were accepted for the Alpaugh, Dinuba, and Orosi Branch Libraries focusing on life, safety, and critical maintenance systems. The County Librarian explained some of the repairs and upgrades for each branch such as ADA upgrades, restroom remodeling, and ceiling replacement/repair. 

Follow-up questions

  • Why was the fee adjustment not reconsidered at a later time so that there would not be a steep increase in fees?
  • Why does the fee adjustment cover upgrades and not just repairs?

Board of Supervisors

  • Larry Micari – Vice Chair, District One
  • Pete Vander Poel III, District Two
  • Amy Shuklian, District Three
  • Eddie Valero, District Four
  • Dennis Townsend – 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 Jan. 24, 2023. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Unlike last meeting, this meeting did not have the Board members visible on the YouTube livestream.

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Vander Poel
      • Earlier this month there was a Kings Tulare Area Agency on Aging meeting and Dana Wilde was named KTAAA Manager Director. 
      • Upcoming is the Tulare Homeless Project opening, TCERA meeting, International AG Center meeting, Tulare Chamber Annual Awards Banquet Awards, training for new TCAG Board members, and a TCAG meeting.
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Earlier this month was the groundbreaking of Salser & Dillard, TCAG meetings, Homeless Task Force, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control DIstrict meeting, and a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting.
      • Upcoming is a Downtown Visalia Property Owners Association meeting, Tulare County Economic Development meeting, Public Arts Committee meeting, San Joaquin Valley Joint Powers Authority, CalCog update, and a TCAG meeting.
    • Supervisor Valero
      • He thanked law enforcement in Goshen regarding the recent tragedy and the RMA and Fire Department regarding flooding. 
      • Earlier this month was a KTAAA meeting, Senior League meeting, and an Equipping Neighbors in Our Community meeting.
      • Upcoming is a Public Art Selection Committee, Dinuba Library video, Yosemite Sequoia RCDC, check in with HHSA, Ivan meeting, Proteus Board meeting, Visalia Unified Round Table, and the Three Rivers Hero Celebration.
    • Supervisor Micari
      • Earlier this month was the Salser & Dillard groundbreaking, blood drive, Countywide Oversight Board meeting, tour in Strathmore, meeting with Pleasantview School Superintendent, Library Advisory Board meeting, LAFCO, meeting with Frontier, Tulare County Forage Awards dinner, San Joaquin Valley Water Interest, met with Kaweah Delta Hospital, Fire Department Promotions, Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber Awards gala, self tour of Linnell and Woodville Farm Labor Camp, meeting with GSA Director, East Kaweah GSA, and met with Tara Adams from Congressman Costa’s Office. 
      • Upcoming is a TCAG meeting, Strathmore CT Ribbon cutting, HR Staff meeting, meeting regarding flooding in Strathmore, meeting with the mayor of Lindsay, and the Lindsay 109th Ceremony Awards Banquet.
    • Supervisor Townsend
      • Earlier this month was a Strategic Planning meeting regarding homelessness, meeting with Kern River Conservancy, met with Congressman Valedao’s representative, RCRC Board meeting, Sierra View Board Meeting, and Fire Department Promotions
      • Upcoming is the Strathmore CTE building congratulations, Rotary meeting, meeting with Human Resources Development, Mighty 190, Cal Fire public hearing, San Joaquin Valley Regional Policy Council meeting, and a TCAG TCTA meeting.
  • Consent Calendar (Items 4-20)
    • Supervisor Vander Poel requested Item 12 to be pulled for further consideration.
      • Item 12: Approve a Resolution accepting the California State Library Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grants for Alpaugh, Dinuba, and Orosi Branch Libraries. Authorize the county librarian to submit required documents, funding requests, and reports required to obtain funding and report on the grant.
      • The county librarian explained that the grants are made possible from the California Budget Act. They focus on life, safety, and critical maintenance systems.
        • Alpaugh’s branch will receive demolition, roof replacement, electrical upgrades, restroom remodeling, plumbing upgrades, new flooring, wood repair, replacing the HVAC system, ADA upgrades, backup generators, safety and security upgrades, telecom and data upgrades, remodeling staff area, new paint, interior ceiling repair and abatement. 
        • Dinuba’s branch will receive demolition, roof replacement, HVAC, sealant replacement, restroom remodeling, telecom upgrades,  new flooring, ADA upgrades, roof repair, electrical, plumbing, painting, interior ceiling replacement, and a new circulation desk.
        • Orosi’s branch will receive demolition, roof replacement, electrical upgrades, restroom remodel, plumbing, new flooring, wood repair, replace HVAC, ADA upgrades, backup generator, safety and security upgrades, abatement, telecom, new circulation desk, new paint, and interior ceiling repair.
      • Approved
    • The remainder of the consent calendar was approved.  
    • Some of the approved items included the approval of the purchase of two new transit vans for Public Health Nursing (Item 7), an agreement with Turning Point of Central California, Inc. for the North County OneStop Center to provide mental health services (Item 10), and the purchase of a farm tractor to support the day-to-day operations of the Sheriff’s Office Farm Unit (Item 20).
  • Public Hearing: Request from the Resource Management Agency to consider a wastewater service fee adjustment for the Traver Zone of Benefit Wastewater System in County Service Area #1 and determine the official number of written protests received, effective March 1, 2023. If the number of valid protests is below 50% of the number of property owners, adopt the proposed service fee adjustments, effective March 1, 2023. Waive Board Resolution in which the maximum increase for residential and commercial fees is set at 10% per year.
    • Ross Miller, RMA Chief Engineer, explained the Item. The rate is currently $36.50 and would increase to $58.01.The institutional rate would increase from $364.50 to $579.31 per month. Affordable rate for wastewater service is less than the projected cost. 
    • Public Comment
      • Verlina Acosta asked where the 117 signature protests were delivered. Supervisor Townsend said they will be counted. She does not believe the median income is accurate. She said she was told upgrades would be covered by grants.
    • 104 protests are needed for the majority protests to succeed. 117 votes were received but need to be processed. A 20 minute break was held to allow the votes to be processed. 
    • 93 valid protests were received. 
    • Supervisor Shuklian asked what invalidates votes. The clerk said votes are invalid if names and addresses do not match. Supervisor Micari asked if there was a way to have not such a steep increase. Miller said they could redo the study and make a more gradual implementation of the fees.
    • The item was discussed in closed session.
    • Approved
  • There were no board matter requests

Public Comment

  • Miguel Ramirez, Manager of SoCalGas, informed the public that natural gas prices will be higher this Winter. Natural gas prices are determined by national regional markets. Cold temperatures and higher demand contribute to the higher price.

The meeting adjourned to a closed session.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

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