REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: NADIA SALINAS, Project Manager
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the South Fresno Community Alliance Settlement Agreement (related to the development project located at 3611 S. Northpointe Drive) amending the South Central Community Benefits Fund:
1. RESOLUTION - Amending the Community Benefits Fund and Expenditure Plan
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council adopt the proposed Resolution amending the South Central Community Benefits Fund (CBF) and Expenditure plan. The Resolution will provide an update to the existing CBF Guidelines to include addresses within a .75-mile radius.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 17, 2021, the City of Fresno entered into a settlement agreement with the South Fresno Community Alliance (SFCA) and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability (LCJA). The settlement agreement required the creation of a Community Benefits Fund (CBF) and expenditure plan and that the City of Fresno manage and administer the CBF according to the terms of the Settlement Agreement. The mitigation improvements in the Settlement Agreement were established based on the impacts of development activities immediately adjacent to the South Central Specific Plan (SCSP) boundaries.
The Guidelines for the Community Benefits Fund were established and included addresses within a .5-mile radius. With approval of this Resolution, the City will begin administering the fund to include addresses located up to a .75-mile radius.
BACKGROUND
On March 11, 2021, The City Council approved a settlement agreement outlining the immediate creation and implementation of a Community Benefits Fund (CBF) to mitigate impacts in the area. A committee was formed which consisted of representatives from the SFCA, LCJA and other sensitive receptors including Orange Center School to develop the CBF guidelines.
Sixteen meetings were held from May 2021 through November 2022. The meetings included guided discussions regarding specific measures to mitigate the impacts outlined in the Settlement Agreement: air quality, light spill, noise, and traffic. Guided by community involvement, public outreach, CBF committee meetings, and assistance from San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Districts and Habitat for Humanity, the guidelines were created for adoption.
The City received its first development deposit from the property located at APN 33002182S and as recommended by the CBF Committee, piloted the implementation framework set forth in the attached CBF guidelines.
On February 9, 2023, The City adopted Resolution 2023-027, establishing the Community Benefits Fund and Expenditure Plan to fund qualified mitigation improvements to address impacts resulting from development activities on qualified sensitive receptors located in properties within and immediately adjacent to the South Central Specific Plan (SCSP) Area boundaries.
From May 19, 2023 through May 20, 2024, mailers, flyers, and certified letters were mailed and distributed to the 40 residents and property owners within the .5 mile radius notifying them of the available funding and upcoming application assistance sessions. To facilitate the completion of the applications for reimbursements, three application assistance sessions were held near the impacted locations. These sessions were held between September 2023 and June 2024, which provided assistance in Spanish, a free notary to facilitate and complete the required application paperwork, and a Fresno County employee was in attendance to answer any questions and/or concerns.
To date a of total 31 checks totaling $248,000 have been reimbursed and two rounds of funding for the 40 residents and property owners were completed. To further the success of this program a radius increase from .5 miles to .75 miles is needed to find a sufficient number of residents to complete this program.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This approval is not a project for the purposes of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Not applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding source is solely from the developer deposit established in the settlement agreement and does not impact the General Fund.
Attachment:
Resolution Amendment with Exhibit A South Central Fresno CBF Guidelines - Updated October 2024