Documented by Dani Huerta

Summary —  What you need to know

  • A proclamation was presented by Supervisor Pete Vander Poel recognizing November as National Adoption Awareness Month. Some 144 adoptions were finalized in Tulare County in fiscal year 2022-2023.
  • A proclamation was presented by Vice Chair Larry Micari recognizing Friends of Tulare County for their 20 years of helping the community. John Hess, president of Friends of Tulare County, said 100% of donations goes toward programs supporting the county. They have received $2.6 million over 10 years.
  • A request from the Resource Management Agency to consider establishing Williamson Act Agricultural Preserves for approximately 336 acres was approved. A consent calendar item on Dec. 12 will authorize land conservation contracts and amendments. 

Follow up Questions

  • Has the number of adoptions in Tulare County increased or decreased in the past few years?

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 live streamed via YouTube at 9 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2023. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence. 

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Vander Poel
      • Upcoming is a Tulare County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCo), Health and Human Services Association Director meeting, Animal Services vaccination clinic, General Services diaper tent update, Veteran’s Day, California State Association of Counties (CSAC) conferences, Tulare County Employees Retirement Association conference, Mission Oaks aquatic complex groundbreaking, Tulare hospital Foundation, Festival of Trees event and Thanksgiving.  
    • Shuklian
      • Last week Salt + Light volunteer appreciation event, Graze Craze ribbon-cutting, annual book festival and the Boys and Girls Club social swirl.
      • Upcoming is a meeting regarding the Cross Valley Rail Corridor, Tulare County Animal Services event, Veteran’s Day and the CSAC conference.
    • Valero
      • Last week was the ImagineU Halloween event, Cutler-Orosi Veteran’s Day parade, Tulare County Library book festival and the Boys and Girls Club gala.
      • Upcoming is a school charter’s conference in Anaheim, San Joaquin Valley affordable broadband summit, a meeting with the state water board commissioner, Veteran’s Day and the CSAC conference.
    • Micari
      • Last week was ImagineU Halloween event, Lindsay Harvest Festival, Salt + Light volunteer appreciation event, Tulare County Human Trafficking Task Force, swearing-in of Judge Sara Bratsch, Lindsay state of the city event, his daughter received the FFA American Degree award, Veterans’ Advisory Committee meeting, 
      • Upcoming is the Golden State Tour’s ending in Visalia.
    • Townsend
      • Last week was the Government 101 class, Boys and Girls Club event and a Porterville Women’s Club meeting.
      • Upcoming is a LAFCo meeting, Our Hero’s Dreams golf tournament, Veteran’s Day, CSAC conference, Porterville Oaks Club 100-year celebration and a meeting with the General Services Agency director.
  • Presented a proclamation recognizing November 2023 as National Adoption Awareness Month in Tulare County.
    • The proclamation was presented by Vander Poel. There are 114,000 children in foster care in the country currently. Some 144 adoptions were finalized in Tulare County in fiscal year 2022-2023.
    • A member of Child Welfare Services staff thanked everyone involved in helping with adoptions.
  • Presented a proclamation recognizing Nov. 25 as Small Business Saturday in Tulare County.
    • The proclamation was presented by Townsend.
    • Mike Washam, Resource Management Agency (RMA) director, spoke about Small Business Saturday. It was first introduced in 2010. He said “Local businesses donate over 250% more per employee to local charities and causes”. Their motto this year is “keep the cheer here.”
  • Presented a proclamation recognizing Friends of Tulare County for their 20 years of helping the community.
    • The proclamation was presented by Micari.
    • John Hess, president of Friends of Tulare County, gave a presentation about the nonprofit organization that supports county programs, especially the children’s toy drive. He said 100% of donations goes toward the programs. They have received $2.6 million over 10 years.
  • (Approved unanimously) Public hearing: Request from the RMA to consider establishing Williamson Act Agricultural Preserves. Approve applications for establishing and/or enlarging Williamson Act Agricultural Preserves.
    • Aaron Bock, RMA assistant director, gave a presentation. On July 7, 202,0 the Board lifted a moratorium on accepting and processing new agricultural preserves and Williamson Act conservation contracts. They also approved new application fees. 
    • The county has received six preserve applications. A consent calendar item on Dec. 12 will authorize land conservation contracts and amendments. 
  • (Approved unanimously) Consent Calendar (Items 7-34)
    • Correction to item 10
      • Item 10 should read “Craig Andrews” instead of “Greg Andrews”.
    • Some of the approved items included the approval of an agreement with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to provide funding for the elder abuse program (item 11), an agreement with Central Star Behavioral Health, Inc. to provide acute inpatient beds and mental health treatment (item 17) and an agreement with Courage to Change to provide intensive mental health services for adolescent males and nonminor dependents in foster care (item 21).
  • There were no board matter requests
  • Record of threat of litigation
    • Closed session item D: Draft complaint by Union Pacific Railroad Co.
      • “Union Pacific Railroad Company contends that the unitary tax rate applied to their property within the county exceeds that permitted under federal law” according to the agenda

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

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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