2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
www.fresno.gov  
City of Fresno  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
President - Annalisa Perea  
Vice President - Mike Karbassi  
Councilmembers:  
Miguel Angel Arias, Tyler Maxwell, Luis Chavez,  
Garry Bredefeld, Nelson Esparza  
City Manager - Georgeanne A. White  
City Attorney - Andrew Janz  
City Clerk - Todd Stermer, CMC  
9:00 AM  
Thursday, June 6, 2024  
Council Chambers (In  
Person and/or Electronic)  
https://www.fresno.gov/bud  
get-hearings/  
The City Council for the City of Fresno convened in regular / budget hearing  
sessions on June 6, 2024, at 9:08 A.M.  
9:08 A.M. ROLL CALL  
Councilmember Esparza arrived at 9:41 A.M.  
Present: 7 -  
President Annalisa Perea  
Vice President Mike Karbassi  
Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias  
Councilmember Tyler Maxwell  
Councilmember Luis Chavez  
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld  
Councilmember Nelson Esparza  
Invocation by Pastor Edward D. Thomas II from Impact Fresno Church  
Pastor Thomas gave the invocation.  
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag  
Councilmember Bredefeld led the Pledge of Allegiance and held a moment  
of silence and commemoration for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day  
landings in Normandy, France.  
APPROVE AGENDA  
City Clerk Stermer announced the following changes to the agenda:  
Councilmember Maxwell and Vice President Karbassi had been added as a  
co-sponsors to the "Gun Violence Awareness Month" on the agenda as  
Ceremonial item ID 24-642.  
Recognition of Women's Commission Scholarship, on the agenda as  
Ceremonial item ID 24-658, would be presented towards the very end of the  
ceremonial presentations.  
Recognition of San Joaquin Political Academy Graduates, on the agenda as  
Ceremonial item ID 24-73 would be presented before the presentation for  
the Women’s Commissions Scholarships certificates.  
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA  
2-I (ID 24-737) Approving the Final Map of Tract No. 6370, and accepting  
dedicated public uses offered therein except for dedications offered subject  
to City acceptance – moved to the June 13, 2024, agenda by staff.  
2-G (ID 24-655) Actions pertaining to the summary vacation of a portion of  
East Madison Avenue, between North Fulton Avenue and North Van Ness  
Avenue (Council District 3) – tabled to the June 13, 2024, agenda by  
Councilmember Arias.  
4-A (ID 24-767) WORKSHOP - Presentation from the Building Industry  
Association of Fresno / Madera regarding Southeast Development Area  
(SEDA) infrastructure – removed from agenda with no specified return date  
by Councilmember Chavez.  
On motion of Councilmember Arias, seconded by Councilmember  
Maxwell, the agenda was ADOPTED AS AMENDED by the following  
vote:  
Aye: 6 - Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez and Bredefeld  
Absent: 1 - Esparza  
CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS  
Proclamation for “Pride Month”  
ID 24-775  
PRESENTED  
Proclamation for honoring “Alexan Balekian”  
ID 24-588  
PRESENTED  
Recognition of San Joaquin Political Academy Graduates  
Recognition of Women's Commission Scholarship Recipients  
Proclamation for “Gun Violence Awareness Month”  
ID 24-731  
PRESENTED  
ID 24-658  
PRESENTED  
ID 24-642  
As noted during the approval of the agenda, the above item was sponsored  
by the Office of the Mayor & City Manager, Police Department,  
Councilmember Maxwell and Vice President Karbassi.  
PRESENTED  
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS  
Councilmember Bredefeld Reports and Comments. Encouraged the  
administration not to cut medical services from the Fire Department and  
stated he would not support such cuts.  
Council President Perea Reports and Comments. Announced the schedule  
for the Pride flag raising ceremony at City Hall. Asked for the meeting to be  
adjourned in memory of Dominga Bustamante.  
MAYOR/MANAGER REPORTS AND COMMENTS  
City Manager Reports and Comments: Announced the South Central  
Specific Plan and related EIR had been released to the public for the 45 day  
comment period.  
CITY CLERK AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS  
City Clerk Stermer Reports and Comments. A Council District 6 Project  
Review Committee meeting was scheduled for 5:30 P.M. The Mobile Home  
Park Rent Review and Stabilization meeting schedule for June 11, 20204,  
had been canceled and all items were continued to July 9, 2024. The  
Council District 1 Project Review Committee meeting scheduled for the  
following week had been canceled.  
City Attorney Janz Reports and Comments. Announced Brandon M. Collet  
has been appointed Chief Assistant City Attorney. Acknowledged  
Councilmember Maxwell's leadership to help obtain $720,000 grant money  
from the state to create a wage theft unit. Discussed the City Attorney's  
Office partnership with the Attorney General's office for a new "Tenant  
Protection Act" to protect tenants who have been unlawfully evicted.  
1. SCHEDULED COUNCIL HEARINGS AND MATTERS  
Council President Perea announced the 9:00 A.M. Budget Hearings would  
resume after other business on the agenda had been completed.  
9:00 A.M. RESUMED BUDGET HEARINGS  
Council President Perea announced the 9:00 A.M. Resumed Budget  
Hearings would be heard following all other business listed on the agenda.  
The budget hearings began at 2:25 P.M.  
Upon call, the following people addressed Council regarding the FY 2025  
Proposed Budget: Deborah Lewis, Hester Hensley, Omi Cormeir, Aletha  
Lang, Emmanual Agraz-Torrez, Kyle Lopez-Schmidt, Shaymus Banks,  
Debbie Darden, Miss 5250, Lisa Flores, Anthony Anderson, Brandi N., BT  
Lewis, Natalie Delgado, Ella Washington, Marisa Moraza, Venise Curry and  
Miss Fanni  
Vice President Karbassi briefly responded to public comment by supporting  
the Independent Reviewer after a speaker questioned his actions.  
Office of the City Clerk / Copy Center  
ID 24-689  
City Clerk Stermer presented the Office of the City Clerk / Copy Center  
budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
City Attorney’s Office  
ID 24-690  
City Attorney Janz presented the Office of the City Attorneys Office budget  
for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
General City Purpose  
ID 24-691  
Assistant City Manager Quinto presented the General City Purpose  
Department budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
Office of Mayor & City Manager  
ID 24-692  
Assistant City Manager Quinto presented the Office of Mayor & City  
Manager budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
City Council Offices  
ID 24-693  
Assistant City Manager Quinto presented the City Council Offices budget for  
Fiscal Year 2024-2025.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
Council Motions Made June 6, 2024  
Councilmember Arias motioned (#16) to include $20,000 for the touch  
screens outside the Council Chambers. Councilmember Chavez seconded  
the motion.  
Councilmember Maxwell motioned (#17) to allocate $2.0 million to fund  
Eviction Protection Program. Vice President Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Maxwell motioned (#18) to allocate $720k to CAO to create  
wage theft prosecution team upon award of workers rights enforcement  
grant. Vice President Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Chavez motioned (#19) to include $100k for Immigrant  
Legal Defense Fund. Councilmember Arias seconded the motion.  
Vice President Karbassi motioned (#20) to allocate $350k to create inhouse  
team to prosecute misdemeanors holding egregious repeat offenders.  
Council President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned (#21) to add Account Auditor II to the City  
Attorney's Office. Vice President Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned (#22) to set the Council's baseline budget at  
$750,000. Council President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned (#23) to restore the Intern Legislative  
Program at $150,000. Council President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned (#24) to remove attrition from City  
Council Distircts operational budget. Councilmember Chavez seconded the  
motion.  
Council Requests for Information Made June 6, 2024  
Councilmember Arias requested: (a) estimates for increased pressure  
washing and litter control service; (b) information regarding the City Clerk  
and General Services Department planned timing to refurbish the seats in  
the Council Chamber; (c) information on whether PROP 218 revenue could  
be used to pay differences in outstanding claims; (d) a list of landlords /  
property management companies with frequent interactions regarding the  
Eviction Protection Program; and (f) the percentage of smoke shops that  
were found not to be in violation when investigated.  
City Council recessed the June 6, 2024, Budget Hearings at 3:52 P.M. The next  
Budget Hearings is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2024.  
9:10 A.M.  
HEARING to consider of an appeal regarding the denial of Conditional Use  
Permit Application No. P22-03906, requesting authorization to establish a  
State of California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 21 (Off-Sale  
Beer, Wine, & Distilled Spirits) alcohol license for Circle “D” Food & Liquor  
store located at 2520 East Olive Avenue on the southeast corner of North  
Fresno Street and East Olive Avenue. (Council District 7)  
ID 24-652  
1. DENY the Appellant’s appeal and UPHOLD the action of the  
Planning and Development Department Director to deny CUP  
Application No. P22-03906 requesting authorization to establish a  
State of California Alcoholic Beverage Control Type 21 (Off-Sale  
Beer, Wine, & Distilled Spirits) alcohol license for a Circle “D” Food  
& Liquor store.  
The above hearing was called to order at 10:06 A.M. and was presented to  
Council by Planning Manager Siegrist. Applicant representative Poeschel  
made a presentation to Council. Upon call, no members of the public  
addressed Council. The Council President closed the public comment  
period at 10:42 A.M.  
Senior Deputy City Attorney Costa clarified how the location restrictions of  
the Responsible Neighborhoods Market Act (RNMA) were problematic for  
the business and why the business did not meet exceptions within the  
RNMA.  
Council discussion included: the percentage of alcohol sales; number of  
alcohol licenses within the census track; number of incidents reported to the  
police department; reopening a liquor license next to a school; amount of  
time the company has been in business; the pristine 28 year operational  
record of the business; revoking CUP licenses; amount of time the schools  
has been operating; impacts in the district; ABC ordinance; compliance of  
the law; homeless; saturation of alcohol licenses; the intentions of the  
RNMA versus the results; service market model; full service market model;  
making modifications to the operation; more time for compliance.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to continue the hearing to the July 25,  
2024, City Council meeting to allow time for staff to work with the applicant  
to work toward a resolution under the RNMA.  
On motion of Councilmember Esparza, seconded by Councilmember  
Arias, that the above hearing was CONTINUED to July 25, 2024. The  
motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and  
Esparza  
9:25 A.M.  
Actions pertaining to the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan:  
ID 24-457  
1. HEARING to obtain public comments regarding the Draft 2024-  
2025 Annual Action Plan; and  
2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan;  
approving submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban  
Development (HUD) for application of $7,013,935 Community  
Development Block Grant (CDBG), $2,924,820 HOME Investment  
Partnerships (HOME), $606,188 Emergency Solutions Grant  
(ESG), and $1,033,153 Housing Opportunities for Persons with  
AIDS/HIV (HOPWA) program funds; providing for subrecipient  
agreements; and Authorizing the City Manager to sign all  
implementing documents required by HUD as approved to form by  
the City Attorney (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)  
The above hearing was called to order at 10:47 A.M. and was presented to  
Council by Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Manager Jenks. Upon  
call, following members of the public addressed Council: Kyle  
Lopez-Schmidt, Lisa Flores, Traci Robertson, Shaymus Banks, Lynn Owens  
and Brandi Nuse-Villegas. Council President Perea closed the public  
comment period at 11:09 A.M.  
There was no Council discussion.  
RESOLUTION 2024-105 ADOPTED  
On motion of Vice President Karbassi, seconded by Councilmember  
Chavez, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Perea, Karbassi, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and Esparza  
Absent: 1 - Arias  
2. CONSENT CALENDAR  
Council President Perea called for public comment on all Consent,  
Contested Consent, budget and Closed Session items. She clarified that  
people waiting to comment on budget hearing items could do so now or wait  
until the budget hearing resumed later in the afternoon. The following  
members of the public addressed Council: Emmanual Agraz-Torrez  
(2-M),Kyle Lopez-Schmidt (2-E, 2-K, 2-M), Traci Robertson (9:25 A.M.),  
Krystal Pothier (FY25 Budget), Lisa Flores (2-E), Lynn Owens (5-A, 5-B).  
City Clerk Stermer announced the following changes to the agenda:  
2-A (ID 24-755) regarding approval of the minutes: page two of the Special  
Meeting Minutes of May 16, 2024, reads,"[c]ouncil discussion on this item  
included concerns over fire stations 2, 16, and 17 moving from three to four  
person crews". The sentence should be corrected to reflect the stations  
were moving from four to three person crews.  
2-E (ID 24-730) regarding a consultant services agreement with O’Dell  
Engineering Inc: the staff report should reflect the dollar amount for the  
agreement as being $300,951 with a $40,000 contingency.  
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR  
On motion of Councilmember Esparza, seconded by Councilmember  
Bredefeld, the Consent Calendar was ADOPTED AS AMENDED by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 6 - Perea, Karbassi, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and Esparza  
Absent: 1 - Arias  
Approval of minutes for May 16, 2024, special meeting and approval of  
minutes for May 23, 2024, regular meeting  
2.-A.  
2.-B.  
ID 24-755  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR AS CORRECTED  
*** RESOLUTION - Authorizing submission of an application for Tobacco  
ID 24-773  
Grant Program funds, and acceptance of funding in an amount to be  
determined by the California Department of Justice, and authorizing the  
City Attorney, City Manager, and/or designee to sign all necessary  
implementing documents (subject to veto).  
RESOLUTION 2024-106 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Award a construction contract in the amount of $164,842 to Power Design  
ID 24-581  
2.-C.  
2.-D.  
Electric, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for Belmont  
Avenue Street Light Replacement Project from Clovis Avenue to Fowler  
Avenue - Bid File 12402316 (Council Districts 5 and 7).  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions pertaining to the Calwa Townsite Phase II Water Main  
ID 24-728  
Replacement Project bound by Orange, Church, Cedar and Jensen  
Avenues, Bid File 12401802 (Council District 5 and County):  
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination  
pursuant to Section 15301/Class  
1
(Existing Facilities) and  
15302/Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) of the California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, for the Calwa  
Townsite Phase II Water Main Replacement Project,  
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $5,429,945, to West  
Valley Construction Company, Inc., of Fresno, California, as the  
lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the Phase II Water  
Main Replacement Project.  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Approve a Consultant Services Agreement with O’Dell Engineering Inc, of  
Fresno, California in the amount of $298,476, with a contingency amount  
not to exceed $40,000, for design and construction support services for the  
Dickey Park Rehabilitation Project (Council District 3).  
2.-E.  
2.-F.  
ID 24-730  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR AS CORRECTED  
Actions pertaining to the summary vacation of a portion of a sewer  
ID 24-656  
easement lying in Lot 11 of Block D of Highway City, North of West Shaw  
Avenue and West of North Cornelia Avenue (Council District 1):  
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination,  
pursuant to Section 15305 of the California Environmental Quality  
Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment Number P24-  
00689,  
2. RESOLUTION - Ordering the summary vacation of a portion of a  
sewer easement lying in Lot 11 of Block D of Highway City, North of  
West Shaw Avenue and West of North Cornelia Avenue.  
RESOLUTION 2024-107 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions pertaining to the summary vacation of a portion of East Madison  
2.-G.  
ID 24-655  
Avenue, between North Fulton Avenue and North Van Ness Avenue  
(Council District 3):  
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination,  
pursuant to Section 15194 of the California Environmental Quality  
Act (CEQA) Guidelines, Environmental Assessment Number P23-  
04237;  
2. RESOLUTION - Ordering the summary vacation of a portion of East  
Madison Avenue, between North Fulton Avenue and North Van  
Ness Avenue.  
The above item was removed from the agenda by Councilmember Arias and  
tabled to June 13, 2024.  
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of Two Grant Applications to  
ID 24-736  
2.-H.  
the California Department of Transportation’s Active Transportation  
Program (ATP) Cycle 7 Call for Projects Totaling up to $24 million in  
requests for funding; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Applications  
and Grant Agreement documents by the Public Works Director or  
Designee (Council Districts 1, 4, 7).  
RESOLUTION 2024-108 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions pertaining to Final Map of Tract No. 6370  
ID 24-737  
2.-I.  
RESOLUTION - Approving the Final Map of Tract No. 6370, and  
accepting dedicated public uses offered therein except for  
dedications offered subject to City acceptance of developer  
installed required improvements - located on the west side of North  
Chestnut Avenue between East Shepherd Avenue and East Teague  
Avenue (Council District 6).  
The above item was removed from the agenda by staff and tabled to June  
13, 2024.  
Actions pertaining to Final Map of Tract No. 6385  
ID 24-738  
2.-J.  
RESOLUTION - Approving the Final Map of Tract No. 6385, and  
accepting dedicated public uses offered therein except for  
dedications offered subject to City acceptance of developer  
installed required improvements - located on the northwest corner of  
North Willow Avenue and North Alicante Drive (Council District 6).  
RESOLUTION 2024-109 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions pertaining to the summary vacation of a portion of North Broadway  
2.-K.  
2.-L.  
ID 24-740  
Street, South of East Elizabeth Street (Council District 3).  
RESOLUTION - Ordering the summary vacation of a portion of North  
Broadway Street, South of East Elizabeth Street.  
RESOLUTION 2024-110 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
RESOLUTION- Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the  
United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway  
ID 24-771  
Administration (FHWA) - Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment  
Program (ATIIP) Call for Projects not to exceed $2,000,000 in requests to  
fund  
engineering tied to an approved plan for the Parkway Drive and Jane  
Addams Neighborhood; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant  
a
planning and design grant for conceptual and preliminary  
a
Application and Grant Agreement documents by the Public Works Director  
or Designee (Council District 3).  
RESOLUTION 2024-111 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions pertaining to the creation of a Land Bank:  
2.-M.  
ID 24-735  
***RESOLUTION - Adopt a Resolution establishing a Land Bank for  
the City of Fresno. (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)  
RESOLUTION 2024-112 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
***BILL-13 - (Intro’d May 23, 2024) (For Adoption) Amending Chapter 15 of  
the Fresno Municipal Code, Section 15-2009, relating to security fencing.  
(Subject to Mayor’s Veto).  
2.-N.  
2.-O.  
ID 24-757  
ORDINANCE 2024-014 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
***BILL-14 (Intro’d May 23, 2024) (For Adoption) Amending Section  
ID 24-758  
15-2706, 15-6704, and 15-6802 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to  
the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-site consumption, Commercial Use  
Classification of General Market, and definitions. (Subject to Mayor’s  
Veto).  
ORDINANCE 2024-015 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Approve the reappointment of Lenora Barnes to the Fresno Regional  
2.-P.  
2.-Q.  
ID 24-752  
Workforce Development Board with a term ending November 1, 2024.  
Approve the reappointments of Shayn Anderson, Alysia Bonner, Carole  
Goldsmith, Chuck Riojas, and Chris Zeitz to the Fresno Regional  
Workforce Development Board, all with a term ending November 1, 2025.  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
***RESOLUTION - Exempting 10 Residential Streets In Council District 3  
ID 24-766  
From Certain Requirements of Resolution No. 2022-035, The Residential  
Street Speed Hump Policy (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)  
RESOLUTION 2024-113 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
CONTESTED CONSENT CALENDAR  
3. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION  
UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION  
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council with  
unscheduled communication: Traci Roberson and Lisa Flores.  
4. CITY COUNCIL  
WORKSHOP - Presentation from the Building Industry Association of  
Fresno / Madera regarding Southeast Development Area (SEDA)  
infrastructure  
4.-A.  
ID 24-767  
The above item was removed from the agenda with no return date by  
Councilmember Chavez.  
5. CLOSED SESSION  
During open session, Chief Assistant City Attorney Collet announced the  
items that would be discussed in closed session.  
Council withdrew to closed session at 1:57 P.M.  
5.-A.  
ID 24-719  
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS  
Section 54957.6  
-
Government Code  
City Negotiators: Jennifer Misner; Sumeet Malhi  
Employee Organization(s): 1. International Union of Operating Engineers,  
Stationary Engineers, Local 39 (Local 39); 2. Fresno City Employees  
Association (FCEA); 3. Fresno Police Officers Association (FPOA Basic),  
Unit 4; 4. International Association of Firefighters, Local 202, Unit 5 (Fire  
Basic); 5. Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1027 (ATU); 6. International  
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 100 (IBEW); 7. Fresno Police  
Officers Association (FPOA Management) Unit 10; 8. International  
Association of Firefighters, Local 202, Unit 10 (Fire Management); 9. City  
of Fresno Professional Employees Association (CFPEA); 10. City of  
Fresno Management Employees Association (CFMEA)  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements regarding this item.  
DISCUSSED  
5.-B.  
ID 24-732  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1) and (2) Jeffrey  
Logue v. City of Fresno; Claim No. 2020042098 and CSMCS  
#ARB-20-0137.  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements regarding this item.  
DISCUSSED  
ADJOURNMENT  
Council President Perea adjourned the meeting at 3:52 P.M. in the memory  
of Dominga Bustamante.  
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the  
June 27, 2024, regular meeting.