2600 Fresno Street

Fresno, CA 93721

www.fresno.gov

City of Fresno

Meeting Minutes

Parks, Recreation, and Arts

Commission

Chair - Kimberly McCoy

Vice Chair - Laura Ward

Commissioner - Jose Leon Barraza

Commissioner - Rose Caglia

Commissioner - Jon Dohlin

Commissioner - Mckay A. Duran

Commissioner - Kelly Kucharski

Commissioner - Scott Miller

Commissioner - Vincent L. Trillo

5:30 PM

Monday, September 29, 2025

Council Chambers (In

Person and/or Electronic)

https://www.fresno.gov/prac

-meeting/

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (PRAC) met in regular session in

the Council Chamber at Fresno City Hall on the date and time above written.

Call to Order

Chair McCoy called the meeting to order at 5:31 P.M.

5:31 P.M. Roll Call

Present 9 - Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward,

Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Rose Caglia,

Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Mckay A. Duran,

Commissioner Kelly Kucharski, Commissioner Scott Miller,

and Commissioner Vincent L. Trillo

Pledge of Allegiance

Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve Agenda

On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Miller,

the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

Aye: 9 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner

Duran, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and

Commissioner Trillo

Approval of Minutes

Approval of the regular meeting minutes of September 15, 2025.

5.-A.

ID 25-1278

On motion of Commissioner Barraza, seconded by Commissioner

Dohlin, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried

by the following vote:

Aye: 9 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner

Duran, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and

Commissioner Trillo

Discussion: Subcommittee Reports

6-A.

Cultural Arts Grant Fund Subcommittee

Vice Chair Ward reported it has been a difficult few weeks for the cultural

arts subcommittee, the Fresno Arts Council, and the Fresno arts and culture

community. Acknowledge the concerns from those who hoped for action

tonight on the 2025 EAAC art grant funding recommendations, as well as

those who requested a pause and expressed frustration about whether their

concerns are being addressed. Commissioners emphasized that while

public comment is limited by the Brown Act, all feedback is heard and

valued. Legal communications further restrict dialogue, but the City Attorney

is in contact with the attorney who submitted a letter to PRAC. In response

to public concerns about transparency, the subcommittee will begin holding

publicly noticed and open meetings, even though not legally required, and

may become a standing committee subject to the Brown Act through future

action. The September 16, 2025, meeting minutes clarify the

subcommittee’s role and authority, which is limited to making

recommendations to the full commission. To increase transparency around

the grant scoring process, a public subcommittee meeting will be held in the

coming weeks to review materials and allow public comment. Final

recommendations will be presented to the full commission in October. The

subcommittee will also participate directly in future grant panel reviews to

ensure those meetings are open to the public. Commissioners reaffirmed

their commitment to improving the EAAC grant program annually and

encouraged continued community engagement.

Cultural Arts Subcommittee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025.

ID 25-1325

Members Reports and Comments

COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Invited

members of the public and commissioners to attend “Viva De La Raza”, an

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration at Willow & Balch Park in Southeast

Fresno. The event will feature art, music, and a diverse cultural setting.

CHAIR MCCOY REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Expressed gratitude to

everyone who participated in the community mural retouch event held the

past Saturday near Edison High School in West Fresno. The 93706 mural

received updates with strong turnout from residents, including children who

added their handprints. The event featured a DJ and saw people from

across Fresno joining throughout the day. Highlighted the sense of unity and

appreciation for the community’s efforts in revitalizing the mural.

VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Noted that it’s a busy

period for Measure “P” funded and supported arts and cultural events in the

community. Announced attending “Museum Day” at the Fresno Art Museum,

the “Reel Pride Film Festival”, and the "Guelaguetza Festival" in central

Fresno. Encouraged continued public participation in the many upcoming

events scheduled in the weeks ahead.

COMMISSIONER CAGLIA REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Shared

reflections on a recent Fresno Arts Council event celebrating funding

recipients. The gathering showcased a diverse range of organizations and

artistic talents, including orchestras, stained glass, ceramics, and more.

Informational materials about some of the featured groups were made

available at the back table. Expressed heartfelt appreciation to the artists

present and noted that the event bodes well for the vitality of the community.

COMMISSIONER KUCHARSKI REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Inquired

whether the San Joaquin Parkway subcommittee had been dissolved. It was

confirmed that the subcommittee is no longer active, with no updates or

comments to report.

COMMISSIONER DOHLIN REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Reiterated

appreciation for the Cultural Arts Subcommittee, Chair McCoy, the Fresno

Arts Council, and the broader Fresno arts community for their passionate

engagement in recent work. Acknowledged the range of opinions on

outcomes but emphasized that the collective effort and dedication have

contributed to a stronger final product.

City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments

ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MILLER REPORTS AND COMMENTS.

Welcomed Assistant Director Shelby MacNab to the dais in place of Director

Aguirre, who was in Monterey accepting an award on behalf of the City.

Announced that the Fresno PARCS Master Plan and Measure “P”

Transforming Parks and Communities received the 2025 Award of

Excellence in the Implementation category from the California Chapter of the

American Planning Association. This prestigious state-level recognition

celebrates the City of Fresno’s commitment to equitable park development,

community engagement, and long-term investment in public spaces. The

award highlights the successful implementation of a visionary plan that is

already transforming neighborhoods and enhancing quality of life throughout

Fresno. Congratulations were extended to all involved, especially the Parks

Department led by Director Aguirre.

PARCS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MACNAB REPORTS AND COMMENTS.

Provided an update on upcoming seasonal activities hosted by the PARCS

Department, including fall “Movies in the Park”, “Pumpkin Painting”, and

other events designed to bring families together and enjoy Fresno’s park

facilities. The public was encouraged to follow PARCS on Instagram and

Facebook at @PARCSFresno or call 621-PLAY to find activities happening

nearby.

Unscheduled Communication

Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission

with unscheduled communication: Tom Derik, and Kiel Lopez-Schmidt.

10.

Workshops

Discussion Items

Hearings

11.

12.

Hearing - Receive public input on Expanded Access to Arts and Culture

Grant Program.

12.-A.

ID 25-1279

The above item was called to order at 5:51 P.M. and there was no

presentation to the Commission. Upon call, the following members of the

public addressed the Commission: Elizabeth Laval, Jackson Kytle, David

Boyd, Joe Catania, Stephen Wilson, Yery Olivares, Michele Ellis Tracy,

Catherine Marchese, Parvin Malek, Elena Ybarra, Veronica Chavez,

Christina Olague, Lilia Gonzalez Chavez, Andrea Mele, Julia Copeland,

Nefesha Yisrael, Joseph Rios, Carolyn Thomas, Arianna Paz Chavez,

Rhomie Thompson, Ellen Armour Stein, David Roberts, Elliot Balch, Bruce

Kalkowski, Alicia Rodriguez, Johannus Reijnders, Nasreen Johnson, Monica

Madrigal, Ome Lopez, Christina Soto, Kiel Lopez Schmidt, Smiley, Melanie

Glass, Laura Porter, Des Washington, Haley White, Jennie Guerrero, Dave

Brodie, Brandon Weis, Juan Karlo Muro, Dhani Del Toro, Julio Hernandez,

Jess Fitzpatrick, Jazmen Moore, Grisante Avendano, Erin Burd, Jade

McAfee, Amy Kitchner, Chen Chan Golston, and Andrew Janz. Public

comment closed at 7:46 P.M.

Commission discussion on this item included: public participation

demonstrating strong community engagement and advocacy; commendation

for the arts community for their passionate and organized participation as a

model of effective grassroots organizing; acknowledgment that the current

process is still developing in its second year, and a request for patience to

improve equity; encouragement for similar unity on other important issues;

emphasis on the potential to close disparity gaps through collective action

beyond the arts grant; volunteer nature of the commission’s work and their

ongoing efforts to resolve the matter and distribute funds; importance of

remembering Measure “P’s" origins, and its intent to address funding

disparities in underserved areas; concerns that Southeast Fresno received

only 3% of the current funding allocation, despite contributing tax revenue to

Measure “P”; increase access, such as encouraging arts organizations to

provide tickets or programming to schools in underserved areas; concerns

about transparency and potential conflicts of interest, and clarification on the

Fresno Arts Council’s role in the grant selection process; current funding

decisions follow rules approved by the City Council, and future rounds offer

opportunities for public input and process improvement; past financial

support and participation in local arts organizations and events, including Art

Hop and workshops, in the interest of transparency; recognition that while

flaws in the current system were identified, there is an opportunity to

address them in future sessions; timeline for voting on recommendations,

and clarification the agenda-setting process will determine when that occurs;

moving forward with the grant process while incorporating community

feedback and addressing ongoing challenges; process is a work in progress

and affirmation the commission’s commitment to listening to the public and

valuing their contributions to the arts community; uncertainty about whether

there is a strong consensus to delay or move forward with the process and

requests for clarification from the subcommittee; acknowledgement of

Commissioner Ward for the leadership and extra effort in chairing the

subcommittee and guiding the process; appreciation for the significant effort

made by all commissioners across every subcommittee; and, importance of

avoiding assumptions about divisions between emerging and established

arts organizations.

Hearing - Receive public input on allocations related to Measure P,

updates to the Parks Master Plan and Cultural Arts Plan, and annual

PARCS Department Budget and Capital Improvement Plans.

12.-B.

ID 25-1280

The above item was called to order at 8:01 P.M. and was presented to the

Commission by. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the

Commission: Public comment closed at 8:01 P.M.

Commission discussion on this item included: follow-up regarding a prior

request to receive data on which commission recommendations were

accepted or overruled by the City Council; and, confirmation that the

information will be provided in a forthcoming tray memo, as previously noted,

and will be available at the next meeting.

13.

Adjournment

Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at

8:04 P.M.

The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation,

and Arts Commission during the October 13, 2025, regular meeting.