Documented by Dani Huerta

Summary —  What you need to know

  • Aaron Bock, Resource Management Agency assistant director, explained housing element updates including 9,243 homes in unincorporated areas. Poverty levels have increased in East Porterville (1.2%), Goshen (17.2%), London (4%), Richgrove (9.5%), Springville (26.3%), Strathmore (23.9%) and Tipton (17.6%).
  • Some updates to the county’s water resources efforts were given by Denise England, Resource Management Agency grants and resource manager. Some of these updates were that Tooleville has a water consolidation project with Exeter and has a drought assistance program, the Lake Success enlargement project phase two is planned to be completed in 2024 and the Friant-Kern Canal phase one is nearing completion.
  • The board approved the installation of a display of the national mottos “In God we trust” and “E pluribus unum” in the Tulare County Board of Supervisors chamber. Option A was approved, which uses ICT font. Supervisor Amy Shuklian was opposed. 

Follow up Questions

  • Why did residents of Terra Bella think they were not included in the Senate Bill 1000 requirements? Is there anything that can be done to better inform people?
  • When will the national motto display be installed?

Board of Supervisors

  • Larry Micari – vice chair, District One
  • Pete Vander Poel III, District Twow
  • 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 Dec. 12, 2023. The meeting began with the flag salute and a moment of silence.

Actions

  • Board of Supervisors matters
    • Vander Poel
      • Last week was a Governmental Affairs Committee meeting. 
      • Upcoming is Valley Coffee’s ribbon-cutting, Valley Innovative Energy Watch Board meeting, Tulare County Employees Retirement Association meeting,Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) luncheon, International AG Center Board, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director meeting, First 5 Commission meeting, Tulare Chamber of Commerce holiday meeting and Leadership Tulare County day. 
    • Shuklian

She mentioned that last week Central Valley Christian High School won the football state championship, there was a ribbon-cutting for The Lofts at Fort Visalia, the Sheriff’s Office Youth Services Winter Wonderland event, Las Madrinas guild luncheon and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association holiday dinner.

  • Upcoming is an Animal Services Advisory Committee meeting, Mike Calustian’s 100th birthday, Air Board meeting, city of Tulare Human Resources Director Janice Avila’s retirement, and she congratulated Chief Kelly Vernon for becoming president of the California Probation Officers Association. 
  • Valero
    • Last week was the Employment Connection ribbon-cutting, Association of 
    • Realtors installation of officers, KC park upgrade, Lofts at Fort Visalia ribbon-cutting, he spoke at Kings River Elementary, London community parade, Woodlake parade, TCAG meeting and a College of Sequoia Board meeting.
    • Upcoming is the Inflation Reduction Act Summit, meeting with National Association of Counties, meeting with HHSA leadership, Pastries and Papers event in Dinuba, Antelope Valley meeting with Woodlake, seniors meeting in Ivanhoe, toy distribution in Delve Colony, meeting with the county team to discuss East Orosi water and sewer, family services of Tulare County breakfast and a toy drive in Woodlake.
  • Micari
    • Last week was Annibel Annilo’s 100th birthday, Strathmore Spartans football won the state championship in their division, county Fire Chief Charlie Norman’s birthday, pastries and papers event, association of realtors installotion of offers, Local Area Formation Commission, Proteus open house, the Lofts at Fort Visalia ribbon-cutting, Farmersville Kiwanis Club meeting, library appreciation meeting, San Joaquin Valley Interest Authority, MIdvalley Disposal luncheon, Lindsay Christmas parade, Las Madrinas guild lunch and the Deputy Sheriff’s Christmas party.
    • He said there is hope for people contemplating suicide and they can call 988 for help.
  • Townsend
    • Last week was the Rural County Representatives of California Board meeting, Deputy Sheriff’s Christmas party, River Island golf cart parade, medal of valor presentation, TCAG meeting, Tulare County Transit Authority meeting, walk and roll presentation.
    • Upcoming is a meeting regarding the well ordinance, Groundwater Sustainability Agency meetings, various Christmas parties and a Sierra View Medical Foundation meeting.
  • Presentation of the 2023 Movember challenge and announcement of the challenge winners.
    • Lupe Garza, human resources director, explained that Movember is meant to bring awareness to men’s health. Markel Palmer, human resources supervisor, announced the winners of the Movember challenge in which male Tulare County employees grew out their facial hair during the month of November. The winner was sheriff’s Capt. Duane Cornett.
  • (Approved unanimously) Public hearing: Request from the Resource Management Agency (RMA) to adopt a general plan amendment, the Tulare County Environmental Justice Element, subject to administrative changes based on additional comments by the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General or the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee. Find that the Environmental Justice Element is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and state CEQA Guidelines. Authorize the Environmental Assessment Office to file the notice of exemption with the clerk-recorder.
    • Aaron Bock, RMA assistant director, explained the requirements of SB 1000. The county must reduce pollution exposure and improve air quality. Officials also must promote public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes and physical activity.
      • Some ways of prioritizing the needs of disadvantaged communities are through improvements to public transit, internet access and housing affordability. The county will create a plan to measure the effectiveness of these strategies. 
      • The county will also look into using greening projects and native plants. 
      • Other efforts include promoting small grocery stores, walking and biking paths and indoor cooling. 
    • CO2e emissions have been reduced by 19% from 2013 to 2021.
    • Public comment
      • Mary Hightower, member of leadership counsel of Matheny Tract, asked if the supervisors considered negative impacts of projects on nearby communities.
      • Rosemary Wade, resident of Matheny Tract, voiced concern about the green space between her backyard and the storage space near her home.
      • Ashley Vega, Leadership Counsel Tulare County policy advocate, said there are concerns about pollution in disadvantaged communities. She said disadvantaged communities are disproportionately affected.
      • Emma De La Rosa, regional policy manager for justice and accountability for the Leadership Counsel, read comments from residents of Pixley who were unable to attend. They said they are concerned about the smell from pesticides and dairy.
      • Javier Medina, resident of Matheny Tract, said he is concerned about the use of pesticide in his community. He wants more stores and houses instead of industrial projects.
      • Hernado Salas, resident of Matheny Tract, asked the board to help with improving the community such as adding lights.
      • Fred Beltrin, resident of Terra Bella, said there are ongoing air quality issues. He wants Terra Bella to be included in this item.
      • Marisela Marisa La Torre, community solutions advocate of Community Water cCenter, said she supports the residents of Matheny Tract and thanked the board for inviting them to speak. She said the board should listen to the community.
      • An email was received and given to the board. It was not read aloud but listed recommendations for the county.
    • Micari thanked everyone for coming. He asked staff if Terra Bella and Matheny Tract were included. Bock said they are. Micari explained that some places cannot have sidewalks and lights in certain areas because of how they are built.
    • Bock said this would be improved about every five years. It can be changed eventually.
    • The board went into closed session to discuss this item.
  • (Approved unanimously) Public hearing: Request from the RMA to approve and adopt the initial study and negative declaration for General Plan Amendment GPA 22-005, as being in compliance with the CEQA and the CEQA guidelines for the implementation of the CEQA of 1970. Direct the environmental assessment officer of the RMA to file a notice of determination with the clerk-recorder. Adopt the amendment, Tulare County 2023-2031 housing element update and Senate Bill 244 disadvantaged communities plan. Allow staff to make administrative changes based on comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
    • Bock explained the item. SB-375 requires local jurisdictions to complete a housing element every five to seven years. The housing element website was started in October 2022. The Housing Element Advising Committee began in November 2022. Affordable housing and infrastructure were major concerns expressed by the public.
    • 2023 requirements are that a program is included that furthers fair housing, a parcel specific inventory and a site inventory.
      • There are 9,243 unincorporated homes based on the regional housing needs assessment.
      • Of the 44 urban development boundaries, 17 have potential sewer and water capacity, 22 with current sewer and water capacity, two with planned sweater and water capacity and three with none.
      • Poverty levels have increased in East Porterville (1.2%), Goshen (17.2%), London (4%), Richgrove (9.5%), Springville (26.3%), Strathmore (23.9%) and Tipton (17.6%).
    • Public comment
      • Jose Flores of Self-Help Enterprises said he is proud to help the county with affordable housing. 
  • (Approved unanimously) Consent calendar (Items 6-48)
    • There was a verbal correction to item 32.
    • Some of the approved items included the approval of the capital asset purchase of a golf cart for the Tulare County Museum (item 18), approval of an amendment increasing the sheriff’s morgue project agreement by $12,800 (item 21), and approval of the 2022-23 Climate Action Plan Annual Progress Report (item 44).
  • Item 49 was pulled for a future agenda
    • Item 49: Request from the General Services Agency to introduce an ordinance amending the “purchasing agent” section of the ordinance code pertaining to local vendor preference. Set the adoption of the ordinance for Jan. 9.
  • Receive a presentation from the RMA that provides updates on the county’s water resources efforts.
    • Denise England, RMA grants and resource manager, gave the update.
    • East Orosi
      • They have been working on consolidating Orosi’s water system into the Tulare County system. A new water supply and pipeline is being installed.
    • Matheny Tract is getting a new sewer project and a project for complete streets.
    • Tooleville has a water consolidation project with Exeter, and has a drought assistance program.
    • Yettem-Seville has a water consolidation project. 
    • West Goshen and Harrison Road/Avenue 266 has a water consolidation project with the CalWater system.
    • Previously a $12 million investment was approved for disadvantaged communities wastewater and water infrastructure. 
    • Friant-Kern Canal middle reach capacity correction project had a 60% design capacity loss due to subsidence. Phase one is nearing completion. 
    • The Lake Success enlargement project increased storage to 10,000 acre-feet. Phase two is planned to be completed next year.
    • Kaweah subbasin and Tule subbasin are facing a probationary hearing due to declining water levels. To exit state intervention, the groundwater sustainability agencies must revise their plans, hold technical meetings, have the state board staff review the plans and have board approval. 
  • (Option A approved, Shuklian voted no) Request from the Board of Supervisors’ staff to select a display design from the following options presented for the permanent, prominent display of the U.S. national mottos in the Tulare County Board of Supervisors chamber, in an amount not to exceed $700:
    • Option A: A 61.5-inches-wide-by-6-inches-high gold-colored, acrylic backed, brushed plastic County seal preceding the phrase “in God we trust” with a 32.5-inches-wide-by-4-inches-high unbacked, brushed plastic “E pluribus unum” directly underneath it in Blackadder ITC font.
    • Option B: Same as Option A but in gold with Papyrus font.
    • Option C: Same as Option B but in Monotype Corsiva font.
    • Shuklian asked why “E pluribus unum” was smaller than “In God we trust.” She also is concerned about people thinking “In God we trust” translates to “E pluribus unum.” She suggested adding “out of many, one” which is the translation of “E pluribus unum”.
      • Shuklian made a motion to choose Option C along with enlarging “E pluribus unum” with the addition of the translation. This option was not seconded.
    • Townsed moved to approve Option A. Shuklian voted no.
  • There were no board matter requests

Public Comment

  • Leanne Williams acknowledged Venrnon’s appointment as president of the California Probation Officers Association. She said she thinks it will be a good year.
  • Aaron Bock, RMA assistant director, gave a notice of exemption. He awarded Hector Guerra with a sign for serving 15 years with the county.
    • Russel Kashua, RMA employee, worked under Guerra and thanked him for his support.
    • Guerra said he will miss working for the county, and thanked the board and RMA.

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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