July 11, 2023 — Tulare County Board of Supervisors

Documented by Dani Huerta

 Here’s what you need to know

  • A proclamation was presented recognizing the week of July 17-21 as Probation Services Week. Chief Probation Officer Kelly Vernon accepted the proclamation and explained this year’s theme as “Stronger Together”. 
  • A presentation regarding the annual report for the Millennium Fund Investment Program was given by Lauren Brant, managing director at the Public Financial Management, Asset Management (PFM). As of April 1, the value of the Millenium Fund is $54 million. The favorable unwind position increased to $27.1 million. Two more rate hikes are possible this year, and there is uncertainty concerning the impact of bank failures.
  • A presentation on the AT HOME program was given by Noah Whitaker, Homeless Initiative program coordinator. The six pillars of the program are Accountability, Transparency, Housing, Outreach, Mitigation and Economic Opportunity. A resolution supporting the program was adopted.

Follow up Questions

  • Why was Supervisor Vander Poel absent?
  • How soon can the AT HOME plan be implemented?

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 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 July 11, 2023. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation led by Stan Patrick. Supervisor Vander Poel was absent.

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Shuklian
      • Upcoming is a Workforce Investment Board meeting, the George family will recreate Mearle’s Drive-In, the ribbon cutting of the Diamond Oaks subdivision and a 99 Coalition meeting. 
    • Valero
      • Last week he volunteered at the Woodlake July Blast, attended the Three Rivers Hot Dog Festival and met with Delve Colony residents to work on a nonprofit. 
      • Upcoming: Good Morning Dinuba, Dinuba Chamber Government Affairs Committee meeting, Tulare County Information & Communications Technology meeting, touring Wilsonia, Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging meeting. 
    • Micari
      • Last week was a Greater Kaweah Groundwater Sustainability Agency meeting.
    • Townsend
      • Earlier was a Tule River Improvement Joint Powers meeting, Habitat for Humanity and a Tulare County Water Commission meeting, 
      • Upcoming is a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser, Rural Representatives of California meeting, Broadband update, Water and Natural Resources group meeting, his 42nd wedding anniversary and a Tulare County Teachers Association meeting.
  • Presented a proclamation recognizing the week of July 17-21 as Probation Services Week in Tulare County.
    • Townsend presented the proclamation. Chief Probation Officer Kelly Vernon explained  Probation Services Week and accepted the proclamation. This year’s theme is “Stronger Together.”
  • (Approved) Consent Calendar (Items 4-36)
    • Townsend commented on items 4-10. He thanked the people serving on the commissions. Item 25 was pulled for separate consideration.
      • Item 25: Authorize the submission of a grant application to the Strategic Growth Council Transformative Climate Communities Project Development Grant Program for project development of the Matheny Tract Active Transportation and Stormwater Project,for $1 million to be submitted no later than Aug. 1. Certify that  the county as the lead applicant, in partnership with its co-applicants will have sufficient resources to execute the strategies and projects that are outlined in the grant application. Appoint the Resource Management Agency Director as agent to conduct all negotiations, execute and submit all documents including, but not limited to, applications, agreements filed with the clerk of the Board of Supervisors upon signing, and subject to county counsel’s approval as to form, and payment requests that may be necessary for completion of strategies and projects. Approve the authorizing resolution.
        • Reed Schenke with the Resource Management Agency explained the item. It authorizes the grant application for the design phase of improvements such as stormwater, sidewalk, bike lanes and potentially, lighting improvements, for the Matheney Tract. 
        • Julia Jimenes, Leadership Counsel, supported the submission of the application.
        • Approved
    • The remainder of the consent calendar was approved.
    • Some of the approved items included the reaffirmation of the existence of an emergency due to the well failure at Bartlett Park (item 18), ratification and approval of an agreement with the California Department of Public Health for the COVID-19 Test to Treat Equity Grant (item 21) and the authorization of an increase to the Accounts Receivable revolving change fund for the Tulare County Animal Services Division for $150 (item 24).
  • (Approved) Received a presentation from the Public Financial Management, Asset Management LLC (“PFM”) regarding the annual report for the Millennium Fund Investment Program. Accepted the Annual Report for the Millennium Fund Investment Program.
    • Lauren Brant, managing director at PFM, gave the annual report for the Millennium Fund Investment Program. As of April 1, the value of the Millenium Fund is $54 million.
    • Highlights
      • One month LIBOR rate increased by 4% in the 12-month period
      • The program value exceeds outstanding par value of bonds by $27.1 million
    • There is a historic rise in borrowing cost to 4.91% as of March 2023.
    • Short-term interest rates rose more quickly than long-term interest rates.
    • The portfolio return relative to the borrowing cost is positive at 0.03%.
    • The favorable unwind position increased to $27.1 million, compared to last year’s $25.7 million.
    • Average maturity is about two years.
    • Portfolio strategies
      • Allow portfolio average to drift shorter, use short-term investments and increase the use of floating rate U.S. Treasury
    • Outlook
      • Two more rate hikes are possible this year.
      • There is an uncertainty of the impact of bank failures
  • (Approved) Received a presentation from the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) to inform the Board of Supervisors about the California State Association of Counties comprehensive plan to address homelessness, referred to as AT HOME. Adopt a resolution supporting the California State Association of Counties’ AT HOME Plan to address homelessness.
    • Noah Whitaker, Homeless Initiative program coordinator, gave the presentation. 
    • The AT HOME program uses six pillars: Accountability, Transparency, Housing, Outreach, Mitigation and Economic Opportunity.
      • Accountability
        • Strives for a countywide plan with clear outcomes and defines roles and responsibilities.
      • Transparency
        • Improve data systems to improve transparency
      • Housing
        • More affordable state funding to build low-income housing. Create and fund flexible housing subsidies. Reduce the complexity of planning, permitting and construction of affordable housing
      • Outreach
        • Maximize federal funds to cover outreach. Expand training incentives for law enforcement and probation. Provide support for regional training hubs.
      • Mitigation
        • Streamline and increase flexibility of county Behavioral Health funding. Ensure counties have sufficient resources to administer safety net programs.
      • Economic Opportunity
        • Focus on employment, self-sufficiency and ability to cover basic needs of formerly homeless people. Create education and job-training programs. Continue to explain benefits for disabled and people of a qualifying age.
  • There were no board matter requests

Public Comment

  • Scott Goddard, the new captain of the Visalia Area Office Highway Patrol, introduced himself to the board. He has worked with Townsend for years and left his business card with the board. 

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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