2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
www.fresno.gov  
City of Fresno  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
City Council  
President - Tyler Maxwell  
Vice President - Annalisa Perea  
Councilmembers:  
Mike Karbassi, Miguel Angel Arias, Luis Chavez,  
Garry Bredefeld, Nelson Esparza  
City Manager - Georgeanne A. White  
City Attorney - Andrew Janz  
City Clerk - Todd Stermer, CMC  
9:00 AM  
Thursday, October 5, 2023  
Council Chambers (In  
Person and/or Electronic)  
The City Council met in regular session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the  
date and time above written.  
9:09 A.M. ROLL CALL  
Present: 7 -  
Councilmember Nelson Esparza  
Council President Tyler Maxwell  
Vice President Annalisa Perea  
Councilmember Mike Karbassi  
Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias  
Councilmember Luis Chavez  
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld  
Invocation by Dr. El Sayed Ramadan Imam of Masjid Fresno Islamic Center  
Dr. El Sayed Ramadan Imam gave the invocation.  
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag  
Councilmember Bredefeld led the Pledge of Allegiance.  
APPROVE AGENDA  
City Clerk Stermer announced the following changes to the agenda:  
A special meeting had been separately noticed for 9:00 a.m. to discuss:  
Item ID 23-1480 - regarding resolution clarifying the applicability of  
Community Facilities District 18.  
Consent Calendar item 1-A (ID 23-1430) regarding approval of Minutes for  
September 28, 2023, Regular Meeting - was removed from the agenda by  
staff and tabled to October 19, 2023.  
Scheduled Hearing and Matters item 3:00 p.m. (ID 23-1436) regarding  
actions pertaining to proposed Harmony Communities’ proposed closure of  
La Hacienda Mobile Estates - was removed from the agenda by the City  
Attorney’s Office and the item will be re-noticed and rescheduled for  
November 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.  
Closed Session item 5-B (ID 23-1406) regarding Conference with Legal  
Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Government Code Section 54956.9,  
subdivision (d)(4): 1 potential case – was removed from the agenda by staff  
with no return date.  
ITEMS MOVED TO CONTESTED CONSENT FOR FURTHER  
DISCUSSION:  
1-D (ID 23-1417) regarding the California Department of Toxic Control  
Substances Equitable Community Revitalization Grant, Round 2 - was  
moved to Contested Consent by Councilmember Arias.  
1-E (ID 23- 1418) regarding the first amendment to the agreement with  
Poverello House for Village of Hope Emergency Shelter services for  
increasing funding for tiny home pre-development costs - was moved to  
Contested Consent by Councilmember Arias.  
1-N (ID 23-1461) regarding resolution directing the City Attorney to draft the  
Workforce Housing Affordability Act - was moved to Contested Consent by  
Councilmember Karbassi.  
1-P (ID 23-1475) regarding resolution directing the Administration to  
prepare an Annual Appropriation Resolution amendment relating to the  
Payment of Fees Associated with the Initiation of a Plan Amendment and  
Rezone within District 4 - was moved to Contested Consent by Council  
President Maxwell.  
On motion of Councilmember Arias, seconded by Councilmember  
Karbassi, the agenda was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and  
Bredefeld  
CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS  
Proclamation for “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”  
ID 23-1071  
PRESENTED  
Proclamation for “Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week”  
ID 23-1295  
PRESENTED  
Proclamation for “Frank Ramos Day”  
ID 23-1400  
PRESENTED  
Proclamation for “Phil Roman Day”  
ID 23-1394  
PRESENTED  
Proclamation for “Indigenous Peoples' Day”  
ID 23-1401  
PRESENTED  
“Celebrating Health Literacy Awareness Month”  
ID 23-1384  
PRESENTED  
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS  
Councilmember Karbassi Reports and Comments: Mentioned a recent  
violent incident where a clerk at a local store was stabbed by a member of  
the unhoused community. He acknowledged the efforts of the police officers  
who responded to the incident and expressed his hope for the victim's  
recovery. Announced the Fresno Fair had recently started and  
acknowledged Vice President Perea's involvement in the fair board.  
Discussed partnering with Councilmember Chavez to secure funding for  
more detectives to address elder abuse, which is often underreported. To  
report elder abuse, call 559-600-3383. Gave gratitude to various staff  
members for attending community meetings and site visits in District 2,  
particularly related to Public Works and parks. Acknowledged an upcoming  
agenda item regarding housing and mobile home housing and mentioned  
his commitment to making an impartial decision based on the facts.  
Attended and thanked the organizers of the Gibson Elementary School  
carnival, expressing his enjoyment of attending the event.  
Councilmember Arias Reports and Comments: Announced a partnership  
with Vice President Perea's office to repaint the artwork on the crosswalk on  
Olive and Wishon, scheduled for October 14, 2023. Announced there will be  
a free bike and helmet giveaway to celebrate the completion of new  
protected bike lanes. Announced the upcoming ribbon-cutting event at  
Roeding Park for a new dog park. Announced the interest list for Hotel  
Fresno is now open for individuals to complete an application to live in the  
Historic Hotel Fresno. Invited the Council to join the South of Shaw patio  
ribbon cutting, Thursday, October 5, 2023. Addressed complaints from  
employees about receiving parking tickets in the South lot behind City Hall  
and expressed the need for warning before parking tickets are enforced.  
Councilmember Chavez Reports and Comments: Announced the kickoff of  
the Fresno Fair and acknowledged the efforts of Public Works in preparing  
the area for the fair. Discussed the issue of elder abuse, emphasizing the  
importance of addressing it and acknowledged the collaboration with staff  
and nonprofits in raising awareness and working to address the problem.  
Announced the Mega Texas Barbecue moving from District 7 to District 5  
and opening a sit-down brick-and-mortar restaurant located on the corner of  
Butler and Orange.  
Councilmember Bredefeld Reports and Comments: Announced the  
upcoming community meeting for Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 6:00  
p.m. to 7:30 p.m. located at McCardle Elementary School to give residents  
an opportunity to discuss various community related topics and concerns.  
Vice President Perea Reports and Comments: Requested the meeting be  
adjourned in memory of Kimberly Mayhew, who fought on behalf of the  
Tower District community in the Tower District issue. Announced October is  
Breast Cancer Awareness Month and stressed the importance of early  
detection. Announced the upcoming crosswalk painting event at the  
intersection of Olive and Wishon, on October 7, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.  
Acknowledged the previous crosswalk painting event at the corner of  
Weldon and Van Ness. Held a community meeting in the Fresno High  
School area and canvassing a portion of their district, west of the 99 and  
north of Clinton, to connect with constituents and offer them services.  
MAYOR/MANAGER REPORTS AND COMMENTS  
Mayor Dyer Reports and Comments: Announced that the Department of  
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had awarded $20 million for the  
senior center project.  
City Manager White Reports and Comments: Responded to concerns about  
city employees parking in a private lot at Community Hospital, and  
emphasized the importance of responsibility, noted that private parking  
enforcement is done on request, encouraged city employees to be mindful  
of their parking locations, and offered to discuss concerns directly.  
CITY CLERK AND CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS AND COMMENTS  
City Clerk Stermer Reports and Comments: Announced the opportunity for  
individuals to serve on a City of Fresno board or commission, encouraged  
interested individuals to review vacancies on the city clerk's website and  
reminded those who will be 18 years of age or older by election day to  
register to vote for the presidential primary scheduled for March 5, 2024,  
with the registration deadline on February 20, 2024.  
City Attorney Janz Reports and Comments: Announced a Waste Tire  
Amnesty Day event to be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023.  
UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION  
Patience Milrod (Special Meeting); Fernando Elizando; Steve Diddy;  
Patricia Shawn (3:00 P.M.); Kim (3:00 P.M.); David Willis (3:00 P.M.);  
Mariah Thompson (3:00 P.M.); Traci Robinson; Brandi Nuse-Villegas (3:00  
P.M.); Lisa Flores, and Robert McCloskey (3:00P.M.).  
1. CONSENT CALENDAR  
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR  
On motion of Councilmember Karbassi, seconded by Vice President  
Perea, the CONSENT CALENDAR was hereby adopted by the  
following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and  
Bredefeld  
Approval of Minutes for September 28, 2023, Regular Meeting  
1.-A.  
ID 23-1430  
The above item was removed from the agenda by staff and tabled to  
October 19, 2023.  
TABLED  
Actions pertaining to the California For All Animals Shelter Assistance  
Program Off-Cycle Grant  
1.-B.  
ID 23-1444  
1. Authorize the City Manager to accept $350,400 in grant funding for  
the Animal Center from the Regents of the University of California on  
behalf of its Davis Campus School of Veterinary Medicine on behalf  
of its Koret Shelter Medicine Program in connection with the  
California for All Animals statewide animal shelter assistance  
program.  
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the Shelter  
Services Agreement and any related documents, for the California  
For All Animals Shelter Assistance Program Off-Cycle Grant.  
3. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 22nd Amendment to the Annual  
Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2023-185 appropriating  
$350,400 for the Animal Center from the California for All Animals  
Shelter Assistant Program Off-Cycle Grant (requires five affirmative  
votes) (subject to Mayor’s veto).  
RESOLUTION 2023-267 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Approve the award of a citywide requirements contract to Knight’s Site  
1.-C.  
ID 23-1402  
Services, Inc. of Fresno, California for two years with three optional  
one-year extensions for the rental, delivery, regular maintenance, and  
removal of portable toilets, handwashing stations, and 250-gallon waste  
tanks in an amount not to exceed $250,000 per year plus annual CPI  
increases (Bid File 9670)  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
***RESOLUTION: Adopt the Fourth Amendment to Fiscal Year 2024 Salary  
1.-F.  
ID 23-1459  
Resolution No. 2023-183, amending Exhibit 13-1, Unit 13, Exempt  
Supervisory and Professional (CFPEA) by adding the new classifications  
of Registered Veterinary Technician and Animal Programs Coordinator,  
and providing a salary step plan range for the respective classifications;  
effective October 9, 2023 (Subject to Mayor’s Veto).  
RESOLUTION 2023-269 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
1.-G.  
ID 23-1454  
Approve the First Amendment to the consultant services agreement with  
Carollo Engineers Inc., to expand the scope of services and increase the  
contract amount by $2,300,406, for a total amount of $3,111,279, for the  
Downtown Area Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Study  
(Council District 3)  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Award a requirements contract to ACCO Engineered Systems, Inc. for one  
1.-H.  
1.-I.  
ID 23-1365  
year with four optional one-year extensions in the amount up to  
$165,900.00 per year to provide annual backflow assembly testing and  
certification for various facilities and parks (Bid File 12301639) (City Wide)  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
RESOLUTION- Authorizing the submission of grant applications to United  
ID 23-1442  
States Department of Transportation (DOT) Strengthening Mobility and  
Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program for Smart City or  
Community Technologies and Systems Projects totaling up to $2 million in  
requests of grant application funding and authorizing the execution of grant  
application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director  
or Designee(s).  
RESOLUTION 2023-270 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions pertaining to the Butler Avenue and 8th Street and Orange Avenue  
1.-J.  
ID 23-1388  
and Lowe Avenue Signalization Project - Bid File 12301153 (Councils  
District 5)  
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff’s determination  
pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 and 15302/Class 2 of the  
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines  
2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,774,274 to  
American Paving Company, Fresno, California  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Award a construction contract in the amount of $4,809,694 to Agee  
1.-K.  
1.-L.  
ID 23-1407  
Construction Corporation of Clovis, California for the Peach Avenue  
Widening Project from Butler Avenue to Florence Avenue (Phase 1) - Bid  
File No. 12301971 (Council District 5).  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions related to the California State of Good Repair (SGR) Program for  
ID 23-1356  
funding to conduct FAX maintenance facility improvements:  
1. Adopt a finding of Class 1 Categorical Exemption for Existing  
Facilities pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act  
(CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301.  
2. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing submission of a project description  
for and acceptance of funding from the California State of Good  
Repair (SGR) program, approving the associated FY 2023-24  
project list, and authorizing execution of grant documents. (Subject  
to Mayor’s veto)  
RESOLUTION 2023-271 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
***BILL B-33 (Intro’d September 28, 2023) (For Adoption) Adding Section  
1.-M.  
1.-O.  
ID 23-1448  
9-110 to Chapter 9 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Adding the Infectious  
Disease Lab Accountability and Transparency Ordinance. (Subject to  
Mayor’s Veto)  
BILL B-33 INTRODUCED/ORDINANCE ADOPTED AS 2023-032  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
***RESOLUTION - Affirming Solidarity with the North American Sikh  
ID 23-1465  
Community in the Face of International Threats (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)  
RESOLUTION 2023-272 ADOPTED  
APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR  
CONTESTED CONSENT CALENDAR  
Actions pertaining to the California Department of Toxic Control  
1.-D.  
ID 23-1417  
Substances Equitable Community Revitalization Grant, Round 2 (Council  
District 3):  
1. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing and directing submission of a grant  
application to the California Department of Toxic Control  
Substances Equitable Community Revitalization Grant, Round 2, for  
up to $10,000,000 in a funding request for the remediation of 1457  
H Street; and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to sign all  
required applying documents. (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)  
2. Approve the Standard Voluntary Agreement between the City of  
Fresno and the California Department of Toxic Control Substances  
in the amount of $143,750 for voluntary oversight of the remediation  
of 1457 H Street.  
Councilmember Arias moved the above item to Contested Consent to  
discuss the California Department of Toxic Control Substances Equitable  
Community Revitalization Grant and the status of the demolition of the H  
Street Warehouse.  
RESOLUTION 2023-268 ADOPTED  
On motion of Councilmember Arias, seconded by Vice President  
Perea, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by  
the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and  
Bredefeld  
Approve the first amendment to the agreement with Poverello House for  
Village of Hope Emergency Shelter services increasing funding for tiny  
1.-E.  
ID 23-1418  
home pre-development costs by $75,578.60 for  
$4,738,133.39.  
a
total amount of  
Councilmember Arias moved the above item to Contested Consent, upon  
call, there was no staff presentation and no council discussion.  
APPROVED  
On motion of Councilmember Arias, seconded by Councilmember  
Esparza, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and  
Bredefeld  
RESOLUTION - Directing the City Attorney to Draft the Workforce Housing  
Affordability Act, an Ordinance to Dissolve Community Facilities District  
No. 18 (Public Safety Services)  
1.-N.  
ID 23-1461  
Councilmember Karbassi moved the above item to Contested Consent,  
upon call, there was no staff presentation and no council discussion.  
Councilmember Karbassi expressed a desire to postpone this item.  
TABLED  
On motion of Councilmember Karbassi, seconded by Councilmember  
Esparza, that the above Action Item be TABLED. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and  
Bredefeld  
***RESOLUTION - Directing the Administration to Prepare an Annual  
Appropriations Resolution Amendment Relating to the Payment of Fees  
Associated with the Initiation of a Plan Amendment and Rezone within  
District 4 (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)  
1.-P.  
ID 23-1475  
Council President Maxwell moved the above item to Contested Consent to  
discuss the process involved to initiate a plan amendment and rezone within  
District 4.  
Council discussion on this item included: the process for a plan amendment  
and rezone; the timeline for completing the initial study; the potential  
environmental impacts that need to be addressed; the cost estimates for the  
initial study, EIR, and associated fees; the Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT)  
standard differ between commercial and industrial projects; the type of  
vehicles used in industrial projects be factored into VMT calculations; when  
council receive an update on the initial study's findings and potential  
environmental impacts, and who is responsible for funding the costs  
associated with the EIR and other expenses related to this project.  
Council President Maxwell motioned to continue the above item with no  
specified return date.  
CONTINUED  
On motion of Council President Maxwell, seconded by  
Councilmember Karbassi, that the above Action Item be CONTINUED  
WITH NO RETURN DATE. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and  
Bredefeld  
2. SCHEDULED COUNCIL HEARINGS AND MATTERS  
10:25 A.M.  
Consideration of an appeal filed regarding Vesting Tentative Tract Map  
No. 6366, Planned Development Permit Application No. P22-04877, and  
related Environmental Assessment No. T-6366/P22-04877 for  
ID 23-1463  
approximately 7.94 acres of property located on the west side of North  
Bliss Avenue between East Shields and East Princeton Avenues (Council  
District 7).  
1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. T-6366/P22-04877 dated  
July 12, 2023, an Addendum to Environmental Assessment No. P22  
-01202, in accordance with Section 15164 of the California  
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.  
2. DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning  
Commission in the approval of Vesting Tentative Tract Map No.  
6366 proposing to subdivide approximately 7.94 acres of the  
subject property into a 71-lot single-family residential development  
subject to the following:  
a. Development shall take place in accordance with the  
Conditions of Approval for Vesting Tentative Tract Map No.  
6366 dated August 2, 2023.  
3. DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning  
Commission in the approval of Planned Development Permit  
Application No. P22-04877 proposing to modify the RS-5  
(Single-Family  
Residential,  
Medium  
Density)  
zone  
district  
development standards to allow for a reduction in the garage  
setback, rear yard setback, garage to façade setback, minimum lot  
size, minimum lot depth, an increase in maximum lot coverage, and  
gated private streets subject to the following:  
a. Development shall take place in accordance with the  
Conditions of Approval for Planned Development Permit  
Application No. P22-04877 dated August 2, 2023.  
The above item was called to order at 2:24 p.m. Upon call, there was no  
public comment, no staff presentation, and no council discussion.  
APPROVED CONSISTENT WITH RESOLUTION 2023-273.  
On motion of Councilmember Esparza, seconded by Councilmember  
Chavez, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried  
by the following vote:  
Aye: 7 -  
Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and  
Bredefeld  
3:00 P.M.  
Actions pertaining to proposed Harmony Communities’ proposed  
closure of La Hacienda Mobile Estates:  
ID 23-1436  
1. HEARING on sufficiency of Conversion Impact Report and  
Relocation Plan (the Report).  
2. ADOPT findings required by Government Code Section  
65863.7.  
3. Take one of the following actions:  
i. APPROVE the Report OR  
ii.  
APPROVE the Report subject to conditions of  
approval OR  
iii.  
DENY the Report  
The above item was removed from the agenda by City Attorney's Office and  
will be re-noticed and rescheduled for November 16, 2023, at 3:00 p.m.  
TABLED  
3. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION  
Progress of Code Enforcement, including ASET Quarterly report.  
3.-A.  
ID 23-1435  
The above item was removed from the agenda by staff with no return date.  
TABLED  
4. CITY COUNCIL  
5. CLOSED SESSION  
During open session, City Attorney Janz announced the items that would be  
discussed in closed session.  
Council withdrew to closed session at 2:30 p.m.  
5.-A.  
ID 23-1426  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1)  
Sharon Jackson v. City of Fresno; Fresno Superior Court Case No.:  
20CECG03206  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements regarding this item.  
DISCUSSED  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION  
ID 23-1406  
5.-B.  
5.-C.  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(4): 1 potential case  
The above item was removed from the agenda by staff with no return date.  
TABLED  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION  
ID 23-1453  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(4): 1 potential case  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements regarding this item.  
DISCUSSED  
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION  
ID 23-1457  
5.-D.  
Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(4): 1 potential case.  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements regarding this item.  
DISCUSSED  
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION  
1. Government Code Section 54957(b): consider the appointment,  
employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a  
public employee.  
5.-E.  
ID 23-1445  
Title: City Attorney  
2. Government Code Section 54957.6: conference with labor negotiator.  
City Negotiator: Council President Tyler Maxwell.  
Unrepresented Employee: City Attorney  
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open  
session announcements regarding this item.  
DISCUSSED  
ADJOURNMENT  
City Council adjourned in regular session at 3:30 P.M. in memory of  
Kimberly Mayhew.  
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the  
October 19, 2023, regular meeting.