The Resource Management Agency is hereby established. All references in the Tulare County Ordinance Code, any other codified or uncodified County ordinance, or any other official County contracts, resolutions or other documents, to the Tulare County Planning and Development Department, or the Tulare County Public Works Department, shall be deemed to refer to the Tulare County Resource Management Agency.
(Added by Ord. No. 3196, effective 12-25-97; amended by Ord. No. 3293, effective 1-13-04; amended by Ord. No. 3553, effective 5-2-19)
The Resource Management Director shall be appointed as head of the Resource Management Agency pursuant to the procedure specified in 1-03-1020 of this Ordinance Code. All references in the Tulare County Ordinance Code, any other codified or uncodified County ordinance, or any other official County contracts, resolutions or other documents, to the Tulare County Planning and Development Director (or Planning and Building Director or Planning Director), or the Tulare County Public Works Director shall be deemed to refer to the Resource Management Director or such duly authorized and qualified division manager, or managers, as that Director shall appoint.
(Added by Ord. No. 3196, effective 12-25-97; amended by Ord. No. 3204, effective 5-14-98; amended by Ord. No. 3293, effective 1-13-04; amended by Ord. No. 3553, effective 5-2-19)
(a) 
Pursuant to Government Code section 25350.60, the Tulare County Resource Management Agency Director, or his or her designee, is hereby authorized to undertake the following in connection with Resource Management Agency construction projects:
(1) 
To approve and execute agreements for the purchase of real property and/or right of way, including temporary and permanent construction and other easements, including easements for the relocation of public utilities, and relocation agreements, subject to review and approval as to form by County Counsel.
(2) 
To make an offer, based on the appraisal of the fair market value and the appraisal review establishing just compensation in accordance with the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. § 4601 et seq.) and Government Code sections 7260 et seq., as these statutes may be amended from time-to-time.
(3) 
To adjust the offer to resolve any price disputes for the property to be acquired or for severance damages. The maximum purchase price, including the cost to cure any damages associated with the acquisition and relocation costs, shall not exceed $40,000 for any given parcel.
(4) 
To open escrows and sign all documents to facilitate escrows.
(5) 
To request the Auditor to draw warrants in favor of the County's designated title company for agreements for purchase of real property plus escrow fees for each agreement and/or the designated property owner for any internal escrows.
(6) 
To sign and record on behalf of the County quitclaim deeds to extinguish temporary easements acquired in conjunction with Resource Management Agency construction projects, subject to review and approval as to form by County Counsel.
(b) 
The Resource Management Agency Director, or his or her designee, shall comply with all applicable laws pertaining to the acquisition and disposal of interests in real property as otherwise apply to Board action, including, but not limited to, notice to the property owners, appraisal of the subject real property, offer to purchase, recordation of deeds, and environmental assessment, as may be appropriate.
(c) 
The authority granted herein shall expire on December 31, 2029.
(Added by Ord. No. 3533, effective 7-5-18; amended by Ord. No. 3628, effective 7-6-23; amended by Ord. No. 3654, effective 3-13-25)