REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School and Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: SHELBY MACNAB, Assistant Director
Parks, After School and Recreation and Community Services Department
JENNIFER SOLIZ, Division Manager
Parks, After School and Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Hearing to consider the adoption of the new definition of highest-need neighborhoods as it pertains to the Fresno Clean and Safe Neighborhoods Parks Transactions and Use Tax, also known as Measure P:
1. RESOLUTION - Adopting the 2025-2027 Highest-Need Neighborhoods definition as required by the Fresno Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Transactions and Use Tax (Measure P Ordinance) (Citywide)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution to establish the 2025-2027 highest-need neighborhoods definition as recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (PRAC).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Following the passage of Measure P in 2018, the City of Fresno adopted the Fresno Clean and Safe Neighborhood Parks Tax Ordinance (Measure P) into the Fresno Municipal Code (FMC). Per the Measure P Ordinance (FMC 7-1508) the City in conjunction with PRAC, shall adopt a new definition of the highest-need neighborhoods definition every three years, after conducting a public process. The resolution presented in this item will establish the highest-need neighborhoods definition for January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027.
BACKGROUND
Measure P (FMC SEC. 7-1506) includes five expenditure categories that identify how sales-tax revenue generated through the Measure P Ordinance can be expended. Measure P requires that no less than 50 percent of funds in expenditure categories 1 and 2 be allocated to highest-need neighborhoods in the City of Fresno for the purposes of improving and maintaining safe, clean, neighborhood parks and playgrounds, and for new neighborhood parks, senior and youth recreation facilities. As required by the Measure P Ordinance, the City in conjunction with PRAC shall adopt a new highest-need neighborhoods definition every three years to determine where the 50% of funding can be utilized.
To facilitate the highest-need neighborhood definition update, the City entered into a service agreement on July 1, 2024, with consultants Wallace, Roberts, and Todd Planning + Design (WRT). In developing the updated definition, the Measure P Ordinance requires that the City and PRAC create a weighted index incorporating 11 equity factors as referenced in FMC section 7-1508(e)(2)(A-K); and allow for the public to provide input on the weighted index. Nearly 2,500 public surveys were collected throughout the outreach process.
Phase 1 of outreach was conducted July 22, 2024 through August 20, 2024 and included a survey to rank how important each of the 11 equity factors are as they relate to parks. A total of 1,427 survey responses were collected. The survey responses and a weighted index of equity factors were used by WRT to create a series of maps that reflect the top 10%, 25%, 33%, and 50% of census tracts that would be considered highest-need neighborhoods. The analysis and maps were presented to PRAC on September 30, 2024.
Phase 2 of public outreach was conducted October 2, 2024 through October 21, 2024 to collect public input on which percentile threshold should be considered for the 2025-2027 highest-need neighborhood definition. A total of 1,063 responses were collected. A total of 44% (469) respondents selected 50% as the preferred highest-need neighborhoods threshold. On October 28, 2024, the results of the community outreach were presented to PRAC. PRAC recommended utilizing the 50% threshold to define the highest-need neighborhoods. On November 7, 2024 WRT presented a workshop to the Fresno City Council which provided an overview of the process.
In accordance with the Measure P ordinance, Council must adopt the highest-need neighborhood definition no later than January 1, 2025. The resolution contained within this item will be updated to reflect the percentile threshold that is selected by the City Council based on the results of the weighted index and public engagement process.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 this action does not qualify as a “project” and is therefore exempt from CEQA requirements.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference does not apply as this item does not include a bid or award.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adoption of the highest-need neighborhoods definition would have no direct fiscal impact on the City’s General Fund. The adoption of the new highest-need neighborhoods definition will have an impact on the Measure P expenditure plan in accordance with FMC section 7-1506b (1) and (2) for all Measure P proceeds from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027. The highest-need neighborhoods definition will be used to ensure that no less than 50% of all Measure P proceeds in expenditure category 1, shall be made available for highest-need neighborhoods for the purposes of improving and maintaining safe, clean neighborhood parks and playgrounds; and no less than 50% of Measure P proceeds in expenditure category 2, shall be made available for highest-need neighborhoods for the purposes of new neighborhood parks; senior and youth recreation facilities.
Attachments:
Highest-Need Neighborhoods Presentation - November 7, 2024 Workshop
Resolution