2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
www.fresno.gov  
City of Fresno  
Meeting Minutes  
Parks, Recreation, and Arts  
Commission  
Chair - Kimberly McCoy  
Vice Chair – Jon Dohlin  
Commissioner - Christina Soto  
Commissioner - Harman Singh  
Commissioner - Jose Leon Barraza  
Commissioner - Kelly Kucharski  
Commissioner - Laura Ward  
Commissioner - Mona Nyandoro Cummings  
Commissioner - Scott Miller  
5:30 PM  
Monday, April 15, 2024  
Council Chambers (In  
Person and/or Electronic)  
https://www.fresno.gov/pra  
c-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.  
1.  
2.  
Call to Order  
Chair McCoy called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M  
5:30 P.M. Roll Call  
Present 8 -  
Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Jon Dohlin, Commissioner  
Mona Cummings, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski,  
Commissioner Scott Miller, Commissioner Jose Barraza,  
Commissioner Laura E. Ward, and Commissioner Christina  
Soto  
Absent 1 - Commissioner Harman Singh  
3.  
4.  
Pledge of Allegiance  
Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance  
Approve Agenda  
Senior Management Analyst Canez announced the following changes to the  
agenda:  
Item 12-A (ID 24-497) regarding Hearing to kick-off the Highest Needs  
Neighborhood Update - there was an update to slide 17 in the presentation.  
Item 12-B (ID24-438) regarding Hearing to adopt a resolution to create the  
San Joaquin River Conservancy Parkway Subcommittee - the name of the  
subcommittee should be the San Joaquin River Parkway Subcommittee.  
On motion of Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner  
Cummings,the Agenda was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 8 -  
Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Dohlin, Commissioner Cummings,  
Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller,  
Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Ward and  
Commissioner Soto  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Singh  
Approval of Minutes  
5.  
Approval of the regular meeting minutes of March 18, 2024.  
5.-A.  
ID 24-436  
On motion of Commissioner Cummings, seconded by Commissioner  
Soto, the Minutes were APPROVED. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 8 -  
Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Dohlin, Commissioner Cummings,  
Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller,  
Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Ward and  
Commissioner Soto  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Singh  
6.  
Discussion: Subcommittee Reports:  
6-A.  
Cultural Arts Plan:  
Commissioner Ward reported the application period closed for the initial  
round of art grants, and are currently being reviewed with hopes their  
recommendations are presented at the May 20, 2024 commission meeting.  
6-B.  
Parks Master Plan:  
Commissioner Barraza acknowledged staff for bringing the schedule for  
various steps in the 2024 Parks Master Plan technical amendment, and  
would like future items listed on the agenda.  
7.  
8.  
Members Reports and Comments  
COMMISSIONER CUMMINGS REPORTS AND COMMENTS:  
acknowledged the upcoming tree planting event at Romain Park in  
celebration of Arbor Day.  
City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments  
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER MILLER REPORTS AND COMMENTS:  
acknowledged PARCS staff for their efforts during Easter weekend.  
PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS:  
acknowledged PARCS staff for their efforts during Easter weekend and all  
events; in celebration of National Park Week parking fees at regional parks  
will be waived; announced the ground breaking of a new park in Southwest  
Fresno at Church and Martin Luther King; continued outreach for the West  
Fresno Community Center Project; Camp Fresno registration is now open,  
and acknowledged West Fresno Family Resource Center for help with  
signing up campers; acknowledged the turnouts in various community  
centers for events.  
9.  
Unscheduled Communication: Members of the public may address the  
Commission regarding items that are not listed on the agenda and within the subject  
matter jurisdiction of the Commission. Each person will have up to three (3) minutes  
to present.  
Upon call, Lisa Flores addressed the Commission. There were no other  
comments from the public.  
10.  
Workshops:  
Workshop to provide an update on the adoption of the Parks Master Plan  
Technical Amendment.  
10.-A.  
ID 24-496  
The PARCS department presented the WORKSHOP.  
Commission discussion included: when copies of the draft will be available  
to the public and the commission; the Southeast Fresno Regional Park and  
Soccer Complex conceptual plan drawing; facilities listed in the master  
plan; needs of after school programs at the facilities; purpose of using  
facilities for soccer and different activities added to them.  
11.  
Discussion Items:  
Hearings:  
12.  
Hearing to kick-off the Highest Needs Neighborhood Update.  
12.-A.  
ID 24-497  
The above hearing began at 6:00 P.M.  
Upon call, Michaelynn Lewis addressed the commission. There were no  
other comments from the public.  
Commission discussion included: sphere of influence of the areas being  
identified; percentages recommended by the commission to the city council  
for projects, and the approved council motions; consultant WRT's outreach  
process; in person outreach; tree canopy in neighborhoods; tree equity  
score created by American Forest, and the formula used; chronic  
respiratory illnesses and the health of residents; quality of the air; current  
parks score; impact on parks in the highest needs communities; trees in  
Southeast and South Central Fresno; tree removal process and  
requirements.  
The above hearing ended at 6:30 P.M.  
Hearing to adopt a resolution to create the San Joaquin River Conservancy  
ID 24-438  
12.-B.  
Parkway Subcommittee; and define committee roles, responsibilities, and  
membership.  
The above hearing began at 6:30 P.M.  
Upon call, Sharon Weaver addressed the commission. There were no other  
comments from the public.  
Commission discussion included: the resolution adoption process; intent of  
the subcommittees work; how the subcommittee can address budgeted  
money issues; ordinance, funding, and edits to the resolution.  
Chair McCoy appointed Commissioners Kucharski and Singh to the San  
Joaquin River Parkway Subcommittee.  
The above hearing ended at 6:42 P.M.  
On motion of Vice Chair Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner  
Cummings, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 8 -  
Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Dohlin, Commissioner Cummings,  
Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller,  
Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Ward and  
Commissioner Soto  
Absent: 1 - Commissioner Singh  
Hearing - Receive public input on allocations related to Measure P,  
12.-C.  
ID 24-439  
updates to the Parks Master Plan and Cultural Arts Plan, and annual  
PARCS Department Budget and Capital Improvement Plans.  
The above hearing began at 6:42 P.M.  
Upon call, there was no public comment.  
There was no Commission discussion.  
The above hearing ended at 6:43 P.M.  
13.  
Adjournment  
Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at  
6:43 P.M.  
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and  
Arts Commission during the May 20, 2024, regular meeting with Commissioners  
Kucharski, Cummings and Singh absent.