Former encampment resident accuses Tulare Cares staff of retaliation and document fraud; council asked to direct outside investigation

During the public comment period, Ray Vallejo, who identified himself as a former resident of the Tulare Cares temporary encampment at 1370 South Oak Street, urged the council to order an independent outside investigation into sanitation and public‑safety failures at the facility and alleged staff retaliation against residents who reported problems.

“I'm here tonight to formally request an immediate independent investigation into severe municipal safety and sanitation code failures at Tulare Cares … and critically, the targeted staff retaliation and document fraud that immediately followed my whistle blowing,” Vallejo said. He told council he had filed a government claim on May 15 and said city staff — including the fire marshal — had acknowledged his complaints in May.

Vallejo alleged that, after his report to the fire marshal, facility staff issued him a final notice with a shortened correction period and later issued a termination notice he said was based on a fabricated incident. He said an internal city document had been altered without his authorization and that his appeal options were misrepresented.

He asked council to direct city management to launch an outside investigation and said digital evidence logs were on file with city staff. “The paper trail of retaliation is undeniable,” Vallejo said.

Council members did not take immediate action during the meeting but city staff noted the comments and said staff will follow up; the mayor reminded speakers that state law limits council action on items not on the agenda. The transcript shows the clerk and staff collected speaker information and indicated staff would follow up on matters raised during public comment.

The council did not vote on any directive during the meeting; if council chooses to request an outside probe, a formal motion or referral to staff will be necessary at a later meeting.