June 6, 2023 — Tulare County Board of Supervisors

Documented by Dani Huerta

 Here’s what you need to know

  • A certificate of recognition was presented to Countryside High School for their dedication to mental health awareness. Susan Meadows spoke about how they are the only school in the area that is a mental health-oriented high school. 
  • A resolution was approved for funding Family HealthCare Network using tax-exempt bonds. About $3 million would be used to expand the clinic in Orosi, about $3 million to construct a health care center in Springville, about $5 million to build a new administrative building and about $9 million to construct a service site care for the elderly. 
  • The purchase of property in Visalia was approved to be used for a mental health supportive housing site. General Services Agency Mental Health Director Natalie Bolin gave a presentation explaining the project. It will be an augmented board and care supportive housing site that includes services such as community connections, independent living skills and case management. 

Follow up Questions

  • When will the mental health supportive housing site in Visalia open?

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 (CAO)
  • Jennifer M. Flores, county counsel
  • Melinda Benton, chief clerk

The Scene

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors meeting was held simultaneously both in-person and streamed via YouTube at 9 a.m. on June 6, 2023. Supervisor Vander Poel was absent for most of the votes. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation led by Deene Souza. 

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Supervisor Shuklian
      • Last week was Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a Downtown Rotary Club meeting, Farmer Bob’s celebration and Kaweah Health’s 10th anniversary of the helipad.
      • Upcoming is a mental health board meeting, Delta View Water Association meeting, Visalia chamber awards and The Source’s AIDS walk. 
    • Vander Poel
      • Last week his godson was married, 
      • Upcoming is Four Creeks ribbon cutting, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) meeting, San Joaquin Valley Insurance Authority biometric screenings, meeting with Health and Human Services Agency Director and a First5 meeting. 
    • Valero
      • Last week was a Tulare County Juvenile Justice meeting, Ivanhoe Community Council meeting, he spoke at the Proteus farmworker appreciation event, attended the Veterans memorial hall governing board meeting, the Latino Caucus of California Counties meeting, Farmer Bob’s World celebration and spoke to the graduating class at Orosi High School. 
      • Upcoming is a Tulare County Forest Health Task Force meeting, Antelope Valley meeting, Learn4Life graduation, Visalia Chamber Awards and the Nuevo Comienzo graduation. 
    • Micari
      • Last week was the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) retreat, Memorial Day parades, Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a presentation to Lindsay Kiwanis, Summer Night Lights in Lindsay, TCAG special meeting, and Community Services Employment Training senior center opening in Lindsay. 
    • Townsend
      • Last week was Elder Abuse Awareness Day, low-income housing development opening in Porterville, touring Mountain Home demonstration in Balch Park, sheriff’s event at the National AG center, and a TCAG special meeting.
      • Upcoming community meeting in Terra Bella, LAFCO meeting, visit to Bartlett Park and a Habitat for Humanity meeting.
  • Presentation of a certificate recognizing Countryside High School for its continued work in spreading mental health awareness throughout their school district and community.
    • The certificate was presented by Vander Poel. Countryside High School is the only mental health-oriented high school in the area. Susan Meadows, school psychologist, spoke about how the school includes mental health care in school programs such as requiring every student to see a counselor.
  • (Approved) Consent Calendar (Items 5-37)
    • Shuklian commented on items 21 and 23
      • Item 21: Accept the annual report for the reporting period January 2022 through December 2022 from the Mental Health Board.
        • Shuklian praised the mental health board and encouraged people to attend the meetings. 
      • Item 23: Approve an agreement with Self-Help Enterprises to fund the construction costs related to the permanent supportive housing project Neighborhood Village in Goshen, in an amount not to exceed $250,000, effective June 6, 2023 through May 31, 2024.
        • Shuklian said there will be 52 new housing units in Tulare. 
    • A public comment was received for item 31 but it was not pulled. 
    • Approved; Vander Poel was absent
    • Some of the approved items included the approval of an agreement with Everbridge, Inc. to provide emergency mass notification services (item 20), an agreement with Self-Help Enterprises to fund the construction costs related to the permanent supportive housing project Neighborhood Village in Goshen (item 23), and the purchase of a plus ultra-high sensitivity walk-through metal detector for use in the Probation Connections Center (item 27). 
  • (Approved) Public Hearing: Request from the Resource Management Agency (RMA) to allow members of the public to comment on the proposed projects and funding for Family HealthCare Network. Approve and adopt the resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $40,000 by the California Municipal Finance Authority for Family HealthCare Network proposed project.
    • Mike Washam explained the item. About $3 million would be used to expand the clinic in Orosi, about $3 million to construct a health care center in Springville, about $5 million to construct a new administrative building and about $9 million to construct a service site care for the elderly. 
    • Approved, Vander Poel absent
  • (Approved) Request from the General Services Agency (GSA) to find that the Doe Avenue Property Acquisition Project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the state CEQA Guidelines Common Sense Exemption. Direct the Environmental Assessment Officer to file a notice of exemption with the clerk-recorder and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research upon close of escrow. Authorize the GSA director to execute all additional documents to complete the purchase. Authorize county counsel to sign the grant deed acceptance. Direct the auditor to issue a warrant to Orange Coast Title Co. upon request by the GSA director. Approve the necessary budget adjustment.
    • Brooke Sisk explained the item. The county has leased the property since 1992. The cost to purchase the property is $11.285 million.
    • Approved, Vander Poel absent
  • (Approved) Request from the GSA to approve the purchase of real property in Visalia for a purchase price of $5.6 million, appraisal costs of $4,000, and estimated closing costs of $6,700. Direct the County Environmental Assessment Office to file a Notice of Exemption with the clerk recorder and the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. Authorize the GSA director to execute all additional documents to complete this purchase. Authorize county counsel to sign the Grant Deed acceptance upon presentation. Direct the auditor to issue a warrant to First American Title Insurance Company upon request by the GSA director. Approve the necessary budget adjustment.
    • Natalie Bolin, Mental Health director, gave a presentation on the upcoming mental health supportive housing site in Visalia. It will be an augmented board and care supportive housing site. An augmented board and care is classified as a facility between a psychiatric hospital and permanent supportive housing. Some services are community connections, independent living skills and case management. 
    • Approved, Vander Poel absent
  • Board matter requests
    • Shuklian thanked the staff for serving the mental health and homeless population.

Public Comment

  • Wesley Polimas spoke about his concerns regarding an illegal body shop he said is operating near his property. He was told by the RMA that there is no violation, but claimed he has proof. He says his health has declined because of this shop.

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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