Tulare County task force appoints secretary, approves minutes; members briefed on vacancies, RFPs and local shelter activity

The Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness formalized routine governance items and reviewed a series of program updates and local shelter developments.

At the start of the meeting Mary Alice Escarga, co‑chair of the task force, called the session to order and led a roll call. Task force members then moved to approve minutes from the Aug. 20 meeting and to appoint Barbara Osborne as the task force secretary. The minutes and the secretary appointment were both approved by voice vote; the meeting transcript records the motions, seconds and unanimous “aye” responses but does not list a full roll call of individual yes votes.

Appointments and renewals

Staff asked voluntary voting members to submit renewal applications promptly. Several positions are subject to reappointment by the Board of Supervisors, while others are voluntary voting members that must file a one‑page renewal application. Staff said they need completed renewals within two to three weeks to allow review and Board action by December; if reappointments are not completed before the January meeting those voluntary seats will be recorded as vacant. The task force currently has a vacancy for the unincorporated community representative.

Local program updates and RFPs

City and housing authority representatives reported a mix of program activities:

- KTHA announced a coat and shoe distribution (Nov. 12) and held a fundraising spaghetti dinner (Sept. 25). KTHA staff said they plan to release remaining PLHA funds for emergency bridge and permanent supportive housing; staff reported roughly $63,000 for emergency/bridge and about $15,000 for PSH must be expended by April of the next year. - Visalia’s housing office closed a NOFA for a warming center and received a single application; city staff said they expect to seek City Council award in October and hope to open Dec. 1 if funds and approvals proceed.

Shelter and navigation center metrics

Task force presenters shared recent navigation center statistics: 256 individuals served to date, 217 unduplicated clients, 39 repeat clients served a second time, 10 families (24 people counted as family members), and 15,665 total bed nights used. The center reported 61 housing exits and volunteer engagement of about 26 people covering 102 volunteer shifts and 103 volunteer hours. One shelter operator reported between 109 and 120 people currently housed at an emergency shelter, and noted a consultant has been engaged to support operations as a larger permanent shelter is completed; staff said they hope to transition people from the temporary encampment into the shelter around January.

Community giving and outreach

Staff circulated information about a Friends of Tulare County homeless fund that accepts donations; one QR code links to a donation page and a second QR links to an Amazon wish list for items such as hand warmers and toiletries. Staff said donated funds are held in the Friends account and used only for homeless‑service purposes, with no administrative draw.

Why this matters

The governance votes ensure continuity of task force operations. The program updates and metrics provide a snapshot of shelter utilization and near‑term funding windows (notably the PLHA expenditure deadline) that local providers must factor into planning.

Formal actions recorded

- Motion: Accept minutes of Aug. 20. Outcome: approved by voice vote (motion recorded in transcript). - Motion: Appoint Barbara Osborne as task force secretary. Outcome: approved by voice vote (motion recorded in transcript).