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 - Kelly Kucharski

Commissioner - Scott Miller

Commissioner - Harman Singh

Commissioner - Christina Soto

5:30 PM

Monday, September 30, 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.

Call to Order

Chair McCoy called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M.

5:32 P.M. Roll Call

Commissioner Dohlin arrived at 5:33 P.M.

Commissioner Singh arrived at 5:37 P.M.

Present 9 -

Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward,

Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Rose Caglia,

Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski,

Commissioner Scott Miller, Commissioner Harman Singh,

and Commissioner Christina Soto

Pledge of Allegiance

Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve Agenda

On motion of Commissioner Caglia, seconded by Commissioner

Dohlin, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Aye: 8 -

Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner

Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Singh

Approval of Minutes

Approval of the regular meeting minutes of September 16, 2024.

5.-A.

ID 24-1309

On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner

Barraza, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski,

Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto

Absent: 1 - Commissioner Singh

Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Caglia

Discussion: Subcommittee Reports:

6-A.

Parks Master Plan:

There was no update from the Parks Master Plan.

6-B.

6-C.

Highest Needs Neighborhoods:

There was no update from the Highest Needs Neighborhoods.

San Joaquin River Parkway:

Commissioner Kucharski announced the upcoming meeting with the San

Joaquin River Conservancy, the tour of the San Joaquin River Parkway with

two commissioners attending, and invited all commissioners.

Members Reports and Comments

COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced a

final draft report will be presented to the commission in October for review

then the report will go to the council for final approval.

VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Attended the

groundbreaking for Broadway Park in South Tower, and acknowledged Kyle

Lopez Schmidt, PARCS Director Aguirre and the PARCS Department, and

Councilmember Aras.

City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments

PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced

the upcoming workshops for the Southwest Fresno Community Center Open

House series, and encouraged everyone to attend.

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, the following members of the public addressed the Commission

with unscheduled communication: Gabriel Lozano, and Jose Luis Barraza.

10.

Workshops:

Workshop - Highest Needs Definition (WRT) - Presentation of the Highest -

Needs Percentiles and Maps.

10.-A.

ID 24-1316

The above item was presented to the Commission by Program Manager

Gaytan, and Wallace Roberts, and Todd, LLC. (WRT) consultants Peter

Winch, and Hannah Goldov.

Commission discussion on this item included: Highest need maps, and how

many have been created. Commendations to city staff and consultants

(WRT) for their efforts in gathering public input. Improvements that change a

park’s overall condition rating. Surveys highlighting connections between

park conditions, poverty, and public safety, and the city response. REsponse

from the public as parks are enhanced, and park assessments being

communicated effectively. Low survey responses from non-English

speakers, and efforts to improve outreach and engagement to gain better

feedback from residents of different backgrounds. Resource allocation

having a more concentrated and impactful investment in key locations.

Current highest-needs list expanding from 20 to 50 parks, and how

expanding the list might affect the 20 parks already receiving funds.

PRESENTED

Workshop - Review of Measure P Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Adopted

ID 24-1324

10.-B.

Budget and FY26 Budget Build Schedule.

The above item was presented to the Commission by Assistant Director

Chinevere, and Director Mozier.

Assistant Director Chinevere announced the presentation motions 2 and 5

are labeled incorrectly, 2 should be labeled 5, and 5 should be labeled 2.

Commission discussion on this item included: Start dates for the projects

mentioned, and factors or events that influenced them. Need to determine

the budget for five full-time equivalents (FTE). Commission's budget

recommendations compared to what is approved by the City Council.

Interest in establishing a grant process outside the arts and culture space,

as described int the ordinance (section 7-1 158, Subsection "C"). Potential

conflicts arising between the grants and Parks Plans for senior and youth

programming within category 3. Clarification on what factors or data the

carryover forecast is based on, and the methodology used to determine the

forecast. Unspent approved funds and the reasons for vacancies Barriers

effecting utilization of allocated funds. Ensuring approved projects are

completed, and funds are used as intended. Possibility that funds may be

carried over and reallocated to different projects at the City Council’s

discretion. Homeless population in parks, and residents safety.

Appropriation of $900,000 for three pilot projects to address homelessness

in parks, and monitoring success of the projects. Solutions involving the

Parks Department, Fresno PD, park rangers, and nonprofits needed to

improve public safety and make parks more accessible for families.

PRESENTED

Workshop - Overview of the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant

ID 24-1317

10.-C.

Program Process. (PARCS)

The above item was presented to the Commission by Division Manager

Soliz.

Commission discussion on this item included: Specific date when the

commission took action to amend or finalize the guidelines, and the

commission’s decision-making process involved. Timeline for amending the

guidelines, and council action.

PRESENTED

Workshop - Review grant guidelines for the Expanded Access to Arts and

Culture Grant Program in partnership with PRAC. (Fresno Arts Council)

10.-D.

ID 24-1318

The above item was presented to the Commission by Fresno Arts Council

Director Lilia Gonzales Chavez.

Commission discussion on this item included: Guidelines specific to grant

recipients. Limitations of the rural grant program and whether it can be

extended to rural areas within the city. Clarification of "collectives", and

partnering with fiscal sponsors. Cultural Arts Subcommittee previously

emphasized one-third of the funding should target operations and projects in

high-need neighborhoods. Connection between access to art and culture

and the transportation barriers faced by residents, the need for projects to be

accessible to local communities. Potential imbalances in funding

distribution across districts to ensure equitable distribution and verify claims

of serving the entire city of Fresno. Creative methods to comply with funding

requirements, highlighting the need for verification processes. Equity in

funding distribution, and encouragement for continued dialogue and further

refinement of the guidelines.

PRESENTED

11.

Discussion Items:

Discussion - Regarding the Cultural Arts Subcommittee roles and

ID 24-1339

11.-A.

responsibilities as it pertains to the Cultural Art Grant Fund.

Commission discussion on this item included: Transparency in the

decision-making processes of the commission following the removal of an

item from the agenda, and the approval processes for previous

recommendations. Clear communication regarding the tasks and existence

of subcommittees, establishing and maintaining a standing committee to

ensure a dedicated focus on cultural arts topics and improve relationships

with the Fresno Arts Council. Public engagement in discussions and

decision-making about cultural arts allocations. Significant public outreach

and further public involvement. Logistical and financial concerns, including

funding sources and meeting organization, and the challenges in creating a

standing committee. Functions and definition of an ad hoc committee and its

roles. Budget breakdown needed to assess the costs and funding eligibility

for establishing a standing committee, considering the current members

serve as volunteers, and additional expenses incurred in maintaining the

committee.

DISCUSSED

12.

Hearings:

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.-A.

ID 24-1310

The above item was called to order at 8:49 P.M. Upon call, the following

members of the public addressed the Commission: Gabriel Lozano. Public

comment closed at 8:53 P.M.

There was no Commission discussion on this item.

DISCUSSED

13.

Adjournment

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

8:53 P.M.

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

Arts Commission during the October 14, 2024, regular meeting.