REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: JILL M. GORMLEY, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
JASON A. CAMIT, PLS, Chief Surveyor
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Dedicating portions of City-owned property for public utility purposes on the north side of West Dakota Avenue for the new Dolores Huerta Park (Council District 1)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt a resolution dedicating a portion of City-owned property for public utility purposes to accommodate the construction of public utilities on the north side of West Dakota Avenue for the new Dolores Huerta Park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Dolores Huerta Park project will provide 4.5 acres of recreational amenities and landscape plantings. City staff proposes a public utility easement for those portions of City-owned property (Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 511-200-30T) on the north side of West Dakota Avenue behind the new sidewalk to accommodate the construction of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) facilities for the new Dolores Huerta Park. The proposed public utility easement is described in Exhibits “A” and “B” of the attached resolution.
The Dolores Huerta Park project is funded by Proposition 68 and Park Impact Fee appropriations.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department (PARCS) proposes to expand access to Fresno’s parks and open space by developing a new 4.5-acre public park at the northeast corner of North Milburn and West Dakota Avenues. Pursuant to this goal, on June 30, 2022, City Council approved a Consultant Services Agreement with Community Design Works Group (CDWG) to develop construction documents for the project. The Capital Projects Department now seeks to award a construction contract to construct the proposed improvements. The new park will include amenities such as playgrounds, multi-use courts, a splash pad, shade structures, seating areas, a skate park, dog park, restroom, and landscape improvements. In addition, the Project will also include roadway improvements including installation of sidewalk, curb and gutter, street lighting, bike lanes, and roadway reconstruction.
In March 2025, Council approved the Second Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with CWDG for the Dolores Huerta Park Project to complete design and construction documents for roadway improvements to provide a safe mode for ingress and egress to the park, as well as through-traffic traveling on Dakota Avenue.
A dedication of those portions of City-owned Park parcel (APN 511-200-30T) is required to allow PG&E to construct, maintain or repair the electric facilities on the northeast corner of Dakota Avenue. City staff have determined the required dedication area necessary for the construction of the public utilities to the Dolores Huerta Park, as shown in the Resolution’s Exhibits “A” and “B”. Adopting the Resolution authorizes the Public Works Director, or designee, to complete the dedication process.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the attached Resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
A Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for the project as Environmental Assessment No. P21-00779, dated March 23, 2021. The Planning and Development Department Director, on June 3, 2021, approved Development Permit Application No. P21-00779 for Milburn/Dakota Park (Park), now known as Dolores Huerta Park, located on the Northwest Corner of W Dakota Ave and N Milburn Ave (APN: 511-200-30T). An addendum to Mitigated Negative Declaration (Environmental Assessment No. P21-00779) was prepared for additional improvements to the project and mitigation measures and was adopted by City Council on March 13, 2025.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because the dedication of a public utility easement does not involve bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Dolores Huerta Park project is located in Council District 1. There is no new fiscal impact to the General Fund. The Project is fully funded from appropriated FY2026 Proposition 68 funds and Developer Park Impact Fee funds. The Project was awarded a construction contract by Council on March 13, 2025.
Attachments:
Dolores Huerta Park Dedication Vicinity Map
Dolores Huerta Park Resolution