2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
www.fresno.gov  
City of Fresno  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
President - Mike Karbassi  
Vice President - Nelson Esparza  
Councilmembers:  
Annalisa Perea, Miguel Angel Arias, Tyler Maxwell,  
Brandon Vang, Nick Richardson  
City Manager - Georgeanne A. White  
City Attorney - Andrew Janz  
Interim City Clerk - Amy K. Aller  
10:15 AM  
Tuesday, February 10, 2026  
Council Chambers  
The City Council met in special session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the  
date and time above written.  
10:30 A.M. ROLL CALL  
Councilmember Arias joined the meeting at 10:49 A.M.  
Present: 7 -  
Council President Mike Karbassi  
Vice President Nelson Esparza  
Councilmember Annalisa Perea  
Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias  
Councilmember Tyler Maxwell  
Councilmember Brandon Vang  
Councilmember Nick Richardson  
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag  
Councilmember Richardson led the Pledge of Allegiance.  
APPROVE AGENDA  
On motion of Councilmember Maxwell, seconded by Councilmember  
Perea, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Karbassi, Esparza, Perea, Maxwell, Vang and Richardson  
Absent: 1 - Arias  
Notice of Special Meeting - Signed  
ID 26-180  
CLOSED SESSION  
Upon call, for public comment the following members of the public  
addressed Council: Ashley, Alicia Rodriguez, Erin Burd, Dez Martinez, and  
Nikki Real.  
During open session, City Attorney Janz announced each of the items that  
would be discussed in closed session.  
Council withdrew to closed session at 10:49 A.M.  
Council President Karbassi read the following statement: These are  
completely my own comments. Fresno Unified School District faces budget  
deficits for the upcoming school year. The district has stated that their focus  
when faced with these cuts is to prioritize student outcomes. As a City  
Council President, it is important to me that our students in Fresno are given  
the best educational opportunities. This is why I strongly recommend the  
district should not balance their budget by freezing wages on the lowest  
paid employees in our district. I'm talking about our classified employees.  
Classified employees ensure that Fresno students get to school, have safe  
and healthy schools, and are fed every day. Without classified employees  
Fresno Unified School District could not operate, and these workers deserve  
respect and dignity because it's their jobs that provide for the care of the  
children of our community. And that is my statement on that matter.  
Council President Karbassi wished his father and Council Assistant Andrew  
Kloose a happy birthday.  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POTENTIAL LITIGATION  
ID 26-177  
A.  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2)  
Significant Exposure to Litigation  
1 potential case  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements for this item.  
DISCUSSED  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POTENTIAL LITIGATION  
ID 26-178  
B.  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2)  
Significant Exposure to Litigation  
1 potential case  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements for this item.  
DISCUSSED  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POTENTIAL LITIGATION  
ID 26-179  
C.  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2)  
Significant Exposure to Litigation  
1 potential case  
The above item was discussed in closed session. City Attorney Janz  
announced: The Council voted 5–0 in favor, with Councilmembers Karbassi,  
Arias, Vang, Richardson, and Esparza voting affirmatively. Councilmembers  
Perea and Maxwell were absent. The Council directed the City Attorney to  
draft a resolution supporting the Health and Welfare Trust to ensure that the  
contract dispute between Community and Blue Shield is resolved quickly  
and favorably for City employees, including a retroactive provision. The  
resolution is to be prepared for the next meeting.  
DISCUSSED  
ADJOURNMENT  
The Council meeting adjourned from open closed session at 12:49 A.M.  
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the  
February 19, 2026, regular meeting