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, December 12, 2024

Council Chambers

The City Council met in regular session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the

date and time above written.

9:15 A.M. ROLL CALL

Present: 7 -

Councilmember Annalisa Perea

Council President Mike Karbassi

Vice President Miguel Angel Arias

Councilmember Tyler Maxwell

Councilmember Luis Chavez

Councilmember Garry Bredefeld

Councilmember Nelson Esparza

Invocation by Deacon Gabriel Gil of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno

Deacon Gabriel Gil 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:

2-D (ID 24-1665) declaring a vacancy in the office of Councilmember for

District 5 - the second “whereas” statement lists 2025 as the expiration year

for the current D5 term of office. The year should be updated to reflect

“2027” as the year the current term expires.

Also for 2-D (ID 24-1665), the following sentence will be added to the

resolution immediately following numbered paragraph 5: “Pursuant to

Fresno Municipal Code section 2-1005, the requirement to file

in-lieu-filing-fee petitions fifteen days prior to the close of nomination period

shall be reduced to three days prior to the close of nomination period for this

special election only.”

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA:

5-C (ID 24-1679) Conference with legal counsel-existing litigation

government code section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1) City of Fresno v.

County of Fresno; Fresno Superior Court Case No.: 24CECG01199 –

removed from the agenda with no return date by the City Attorney.

THE FOLLOWING CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS WERE MOVED TO THE

CONTESTED CONSENT CALENDAR FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION:

2-O (ID 24-1557) regarding a Service Agreement with RH Community

Builders to manage a Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Rapid Rehousing

program – moved to contested consent by Councilmember Arias.

2-R (ID 24-1658) regarding an interagency agreement between the city of

Fresno and the department of planning and development in an amount not

to exceed $3,261,614 in State and Local Fiscal Recover Funds (SLFRF)

part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). – moved to contested

consent by Councilmember arias.

2-BB (ID 24-1649) regarding updating water conservation measures and the

City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Citywide) – moved to contested

consent by Councilmember Arias.

2-DD (ID 24-1651) regarding a three-year consultant services agreement

with Southwest Strategies Group for stakeholder engagement and public

education support services for the Department of Public Utilities – moved to

contested consent by Councilmember Arias.

2-PP (ID 24-1693) amending Rules 2 and 3 of the Council Rules of

Procedure Relating to Elections and Duties of the Council President and

Vice President – moved to contested consent by Councilmembers Arias,

and Vice President Karbassi.

On motion of Councilmember Chavez, seconded by Councilmember

Arias, the Agenda was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried

by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS

Proclamation for 75th Anniversary of Big Red Church

ID 24-1631

PRESENTED

Proclamation “Honoring Diana Gomez”

ID 24-1472

PRESENTED

COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Councilmember Arias Reports and Comments. Requested an update from

Public Works on the status of tree planting in downtown. Announced the

annual downtown Christmas parade. Discussed the downtown ice rink and

a December 18, District 3 toy giveaway.

Councilmember Esparza Reports and Comments. Discussed the unveiling

of a mural at Romain Park. Clarified his recusal for the South Central

Specific Plan during the previous Council meeting had been made out of an

abundance of caution while research was performed. The research

concluded there was no actual conflict and recusal will not be necessary in

the future.

Council President Perea Reports and Comments. Discussed a successful

Tamale drive that distributed more than 3,000 tamales to District 1 families

with partners from Casa de Tamales, Guadalajara, and La Promesa from the

Mobile Food Vendors Association. Announced the 85th birthday of the

Tower Theater.

MAYOR/MANAGER REPORTS AND COMMENTS

Mayor Dyer Reports and Comments. Discussed the unveiling of a mural at

Romain Park which resulted from funding received from the State of

California. Announced plans for seven additional murals as well as median

island work and tree planting in the Romain Park area due to a $5 million

dollar grant. Announced the groundbreaking for the McKinly and Highway

99 grade separation. Discussed the ribbon cutting for Avalon Commons, a

first of its kind, affordable housing project. Discussed the success of the

trolley which transported 356 people during the walk-night at Christmas

Tree Lane.

1. SCHEDULED COUNCIL HEARINGS AND MATTERS

9:10 A.M. Joint Meeting of the City Council, The City in Its Capacity

as Housing Successor to the Redevelopment Agency of the City

of Fresno and The Fresno Revitalization Corporation

Approve First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Disposition

and Development Agreement between the City of Fresno in its capacity as

Housing Successor to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fresno

and Self-Help Enterprises regarding the affordable single family home

development at the Southwest corner of Florence and Walnut and the

Northwest corner of Florence and Plumas Avenues.

ID 24-1645

The above item was called to order at 9:50 A.M. and was presented to

Council by Redevelopment Administrator Murphey. Upon call, no members

of the public addressed Council. Public comment closed at 9:52 A.M.

Council discussion included an explanation of the changes to the

agreement.

APPROVED

FRC VOTE: On motion of Member Arias, seconded by Member Bredefeld,

the above FRC action item was adopted. The motion PASSED by the

following vote:

Aye: 7 - Perea, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld, Esparza, Dyer

Absent: 1 - Karbassi

On motion of Councilmember Maxwell, seconded by Councilmember

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

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 6 - Perea, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and Esparza

Absent: 1 - Karbassi

9:15 A.M.

ID 24-1626

The above item was called to order at 9:56 A.M. and was presented to

Council by Planning Manager Pagoulatos and Chelsey Payne, Director of

Urban Planning, Ascent . Upon call, the following members of the public

addressed Council: Raul Picket, Sylvia Calaveras, Rudy, Dez Martinez,

Brandi N. Dacari Cleveland, and Greg Tzakis. Public comment closed at

11:08 A.M.

Council discussion included: acknowledgment of compliance issues with

the Department of Housing and Community Development; housing

requirements and Regional Housing Needs Allocation obligations;

Resource allocation disparities, and the city’s higher responsibility for

housing due to urban infrastructure; incorporating state and community

input, and bringing Fresno back into compliance; impacts of external

ownership on rental markets; rent control as a potential solution; utilizing

the Housing Element as a blueprint rather than a guarantee for building

units, dependent on private sector and market conditions; Housing Element

details, scope, and timeline extending to 2031; the importance of

collaborative regional planning; and clarification that the process

establishes an eight-year cycle for housing.

RESOLUTION 2024-301 ADOPTED

On motion of Councilmember Arias, seconded by Vice President

Karbassi, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried

by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

9:20 A.M. #1

Actions pertaining to the acquisition of fee title interest of a parcel to

benefit the Blackstone McKinley BNSF Grade Separation Project: (Council

Districts 1 and 7)

ID 24-1600

1. HEARING to consider a Resolution of Necessity for acquisition of fee

title interest for rights of way for public street purposes of

Assessor’s Parcel Numbers 451-071-25 and 451-071-38, owned

by Rocking Rail, LLC, a California limited liability company, for the

construction of the Blackstone McKinley BNSF Grade Separation

Project;

2. ***RESOLUTION

Determining that public interest and necessity

require acquisition of fee interest for rights of way for public street

purposes of Assessor’s Parcels Numbers 451-071-25 and 451-071

-38, owned by Rocking Rail, LLC, a California limited liability

company, for the construction of the Blackstone McKinley BNSF

Grade Separation Project and authorizing eminent domain

proceedings for public use and purpose. (Requires 5 affirmative

votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)

The above item was called to order at 11:08 A.M. and was presented to

Council by Supervising Real Estate Agent Bruno and Capital Projects

Engineer Maravilla. Upon call, no members of the public addressed

Council. Public comment closed at 11:18 A.M.

Council discussion included: who owned the property; what exists on the

land; and if business relocation was part of the process.

Upon learning the identity of the property owner, Councilmember Bredefeld

announced he had received a campaign contribution and recused himself

from the item. He exited the Council Chamber and was absent for the

remainder of the discussion and vote.

RESOLUTION 2024-302 ADOPTED

On motion of Councilmember Esparza, seconded by Councilmember

Arias, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by

the following vote:

Aye: 6 - Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez and Esparza

Recused: 1 - Bredefeld

9:20 A.M. #2 (HEARING REMOVED FROM AGENDA. WILL BE

RESCHEDULED AND RE-NOTICED.)

HEARING to consider Conditional Use Permit Application No. P21-06064,

(Council District 1) - Planning & Development.

ID 24-1653

1. DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning

Commission to deny Conditional Use Permit Application No. P21-

06064 requesting authorization to establish a State of California

Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Type 20 alcohol license

(Off-Sale beer and wine) for a proposed Arco AM/PM combination

automobile service station and convenience store.

REMOVED AS NOTED

9:25 A.M.

HEARING to obtain public comments regarding community needs for

consideration in the development of the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan,

2025-2026 Annual Action Plan, Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing

Choice, and Citizen Participation Plan.

ID 24-1604

The above item was called to order at 11:19 A.M. and was presented to

Council by Housing & Neighborhood Revitalization Manager Jenks and

consultant Jessica Fish, Mosaic. Upon call, the following members of the

public addressed Council: Brandi N., Dez Martinez, Paul Jestic, and Grace

Simpson. Public comment closed at 11:37 A.M.

Council discussion included the possibility of renaming of the program.

APPROVED

On motion of Councilmember Chavez, seconded by Vice President

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

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

2. CONSENT CALENDAR

Upon call, for public comment on all Consent, Contested Consent and

Closed Session items, the following members of the public addressed

Council: Dez Martinez (2-M), Raul Picket (2-M), Rudy (2-M).

APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR

On motion of Vice President Arias, seconded by President Karbassi,

the CONSENT CALENDAR was hereby adopted by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

***RESOLUTION - Declaring the results of the Presidential General

Election held within the City of Fresno on November 5, 2024. (Subject to

Mayor’s veto)

2.-A.

2.-B.

ID 24-1559

RESOLUTION 2024- 303 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

RESOLUTION - Amending certain designated positions which shall be

subject to the Conflict of Interest Code and defining categories of

ID 24-1585

disclosures for such positions

RESOLUTION 2024-304 ADOPTED

SUCCESSOR AGENCY RESOLUTION SA-55 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approval of City Council Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year 2025.

ID 24-1650

2.-C.

2.-D.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

***RESOLUTION - Declaring a Vacancy in the Office of Councilmember for

ID 24-1665

District 5; Calling a Special Election to be Held on March 18, 2025, to Fill

the Vacancy; and Calling for a Potential Run-Off Election (Subject to

Mayor’s veto)

During approval of the agenda, City Clerk Stermer announced the second

“whereas” statement in the resolution listed 2025 as the expiration year for

the current D5 term of office. The year should be updated to reflect “2027”

as the year the current term expires.

City Clerk Stermer also announced the following sentence would be added

to the resolution immediately following numbered paragraph 5: “Pursuant to

Fresno Municipal Code section 2-1005, the requirement to file

in-lieu-filing-fee petitions fifteen days prior to the close of nomination period

shall be reduced to three days prior to the close of nomination period for this

special election only.”

RESOLUTION 2024-299 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Actions pertaining to the expansion of the Code Enforcement Division in

ID 24-1601

2.-E.

the City Attorney’s Office:

***RESOLUTION

Adopt the Second Amendment to the Position

Authorization Resolution (“PAR”) No. 2024-121, adding one full-time

Senior Community Revitalization Specialist, and one full-time Community

Revitalization Specialist positions in the City Attorney’s Office (Subject to

Mayor’s Veto)

RESOLUTION 2024-305 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the appointment of Mohammad Shaikh, MD to the Active

2.-F.

ID 24-1666

Transportation Advisory Committee to a term ending December 12, 2027.

Approve the appointment of Ward Scheitrum to the Consolidated Mosquito

Abatement District to a term ending December 31, 2028. Approve the

appointments of Marisol Baca and Danielle Shapazian to the Poet

Laureate Selection Committee to terms ending December 31, 2026.

Approve the reappointments of Megan Bohigian, Honora Chapman, Bryan

Harley, Heather Kuyper-McKeithen, and Jessica Giffen to the Poet

Laureate Selection Committee to terms ending December 31, 2028.

For the record, the Ward Scheitrum is being re-appointed to the

Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District as noted in the support material

for this item. Also for the record, the support material to this item accurately

reflects a term end date of December 31, 2028, for Marisol Baca and

Danielle Shapzaian of the Poet Laureate Selection Committee.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Award an equipment contract to Oshkosh Airport Products, a Division of

ID 24-1547

2.-G.

2.-H.

Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., for the procurement of one Class 5,

3,000-gallon Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Vehicle for Fresno Yosemite

International Airport in the amount of $1,421,363.47 (Council District 4)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

ID 24-1675

Approve the First Amendment to the Agreement with Lighthouse for

Children, Inc. allocating an additional $75,375 in American Rescue Plan

Act (ARPA) funding to support

partnership with the Dollywood

Foundation implementing the Imagination Library program in the City of

Fresno.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Submission and Acceptance of the City of Fresno Clean and Safe

Neighborhood Parks Tax (Measure P) Report for Fiscal Year 2024.

2.-I.

ID 24-1652

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to the Consultant Agreement with Borrelli

2.-J.

ID 24-1662

and Associates, Inc. expanding services to revise the emergency

back-up generation system by $24,300 for a total revised contract

amount of $214,100 for the Municipal Service Center Electrical

Infrastructure and Rehab project and authorize the General Servies

Director or designee to execute all related documents (Council District 3)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Actions pertaining to grant agreements between the City of Fresno and the

2.-K.

ID 24-1418

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (FEOC)/Advance Peace:

1. Approve a Third Amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act

(ARPA) Grant Agreement for the Violence Intervention and

Prevention Initiative (VIPI) Year 1, dated February 21, 2023, to

incorporate the Community Violence Intervention Vetting Policy

requiring community violence intervention employee(s) and/or

independent contractor(s) to go through a Live Scan background

check, and to approve a no-cost revision to the scope of services to

reallocate

$16,752.44

to salaries and benefits from the

educational/skill development line item.

2. Approve a First Amendment to the general fund Grant Agreement

for the Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (VIPI) Year 2,

dated June 26, 2024, to incorporate the Community Violence

Intervention Vetting Policy requiring community violence intervention

employee(s) and/or independent contractor(s) to go through a Live

Scan background check.

3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the agreements

and all related documents on the behalf of the City of Fresno.

During approval of the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Karbassi

reregistered a NO vote. As such, this item was approved 6-1 by the

following vote:

Aye: 6 – Perea, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld, Esparza

No: 1 – Karbassi

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

***RESOLUTION - Adopt the Eighth Amendment to the FY 2025 Salary

ID 24-1668

2.-L.

Resolution No. 2024-120, amending Exhibit 8, Unit 8, Non-Represented to

increase the salary range for impacted classifications in accordance with

the increase in California minimum wage, effective January 1, 2025

(Subject to Mayor’s Veto)

RESOLUTION 2024-306 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Actions related to the acquisition of 930-934 F St and 931-937 China

ID 24-1477

2.-M.

Alley, APN 467-071-15 (Council District 3)

1. *** RESOLUTION

Declaring an urgent necessity for the

preservation of life, health, property; and authorizing the Planning

and Development Director or designee to enter into and administer

contracts for the demolition of dangerous structures, and removal of

hazardous materials without advertised competitive bidding; and

approve the following contracts: David Knott Incorporated for

Demolition Services in an amount not to exceed $490,000 and JSA

Environmental Consulting for the Removal of Hazardous Materials in

an amount not to exceed $40,100; and authorize the Planning and

Development Director to sign such contracts (Requires 5 affirmative

votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)

2. Adopt a finding of an In-fill exemption in accordance with Section

15332 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

3. Approve an Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property and

Escrow Instructions with Central California Land Trust to acquire a

fee interest in the real property situated at 930-934 F Street and

931-937 China Alley, Fresno, California, identified as Assessor’s

Parcel Number 467-071-15 in the amount of $51,055.73.

During approval of the Consent Calendar Councilmember Arias read the

following statement:

This parcel has been posing a health and safety danger to the

neighborhood, and to the city for several years now. It burned down several

years ago in a significant fire. The city spent several hundred thousand

dollars doing a partial demolition, and it took us years to figure out who the

responsible party that controlled the property was. It turned out to be an

organization that was no longer operational and functional so it took us

several years to finally get to a position where we could demolish the rest of

the building at an additional cost of half a million dollars. Thus far, the city

would be in almost a million dollars to deal with the building that was

neglected for decades and was in a place where the homeless were moving

in and setting fires and putting the neighboring business at risk. From my

perspective we've been extremely patient with the responsible parties of this

building for at least 5 years. It's time for us to move forward with acquisition,

demolition, and making that space available for housing, or other business

activities. This is a parcel that's adjacent to Chef Paul's, of those of you who

know Chinatown, and other active businesses, and it continues to pose a

health and safety hazard as it is half demolished and has been for several

years now. More importantly the basement of that old building is connected

to the neighboring building, so if another fire occurs and the rest of the

building falls on its own it's actually going to put at risk the neighboring

historical buildings as well. That's why it's so expensive to demolish, and

that's why it's important for us to finally do it in a very organized, thoughtful,

and well-engineered way so not to put the rest of the buildings at risk that

are historic and do have active businesses in them.

RESOLUTION 2024-300 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the Standard Agreement for Consultant and Cleanup Services

ID 24-1551

2.-N.

between the City of Fresno (City) and GHD Inc. for an amount not to

exceed $2,157,000, for Environmental Consultant and Cleanup Services

for Project at 1457 H Street and a contingency amount not to exceed

$484,000, for any additional work, and authorize the City Manager, or

designee, to sign the agreement on behalf of the City (Bid File 12500393)

(Council District 3)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the Second Amendment to the Service Agreement with Poverello

House (Poverello) for professional emergency shelter, bridge housing,

street outreach and navigation services for individuals experiencing

homelessness in the State Encampment areas. The second amendment

will not increase the overall funding provided to Poverello. The second

amendment will continue the current contract term till July 30, 2025, and

provides Poverello a 25% advance payment of $500,320.00, from the total

Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF-3R) agreement of $2,001,280.00.

2.-P.

ID 24-1569

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the Grant Funding Agreement between Fresno Council of

2.-Q.

2.-S.

ID 24-1630

Governments and the City of Fresno for expenses related to housing

planning and Development Code streamlining, in an amount not to exceed

$146,230.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 583rd Amendment to the Master Fee

Schedule Resolution No. 80-420 revising various Contract Law

ID 24-1654

Enforcement Services, Regional Training Center Facilities, Public Safety

False Alarm, and Witness Fees in the Police Department Section (Subject

to Mayor’s Veto)

RESOLUTION 2024-307 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Actions pertaining to the Paul “Cap” Caprioglio Community Center

2.-T.

ID 24-1608

Remodel Project Bid File No. 12403201-1: (Council District 4)

1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption from the California

Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per staff’s determinations,

pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental

Quality Act Guidelines, Environmental Assessment No. PC00212,

for the Paul “Cap” Caprioglio Community Center Remodel Project;

2. Award a construction contract in the amount of $1,299,850.00 to

MSH Development Group Inc., of Valencia, California, as the lowest

responsive and responsible bidder for the Paul “Cap” Caprioglio

Community Center Remodel Project.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with

2.-U.

ID 24-1611

AECOM Technical Services, Inc. of Fresno, California, to extend the term

of the Agreement to December 31, 2026, without changing the

compensation of the Agreement, for the engineering design services for

the Wellhead Treatment Improvements at Pump Station 101A Project.

(Council District 7)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to Consultant Services Agreement with

Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group, of Fresno, California, to extend the

term of the contract to December 31, 2026, without changing the

compensation of the Agreement, for the engineering design services for

the Wellhead Treatment Improvements at Pump Station 102A Project.

(Council District 5)

2.-V.

ID 24-1612

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

***BILL B-43 (Introduced December 5, 2024) (For Adoption) amending

2.-W.

ID 24-1670

Chapter 15 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Sections 15-4907 and 15-5016,

relating to modification authority for Conditional Use Permits (Subject to

Mayor’s Veto)

ORDINANCE 2024-043 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with

2.-X.

ID 24-1614

OMNI Design, Inc., of San Luis Obispo, California, to extend the term of the

contract to December 31, 2026, without changing the compensation of the

Agreement, for the Design of Materials Storage Buildings at the

Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility Project. (Council

District 3)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with

2.-Y.

ID 24-1617

Michael K. Nunley & Associates, Inc., of Fresno, California, to extend the

term of the contract to October 31, 2026, without changing the overall

compensation of the Agreement, for the Design of Booster Pump

Replacements at Pump Stations 89A, 133 and 150 and replace design

work at Pump Station 133 with design work for Pump Station 176. (Council

District 6)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to the Consultant Services Agreement with

Blair, Church, and Flynn Consulting Engineers, Inc., California

2.-Z.

ID 24-1619

corporation of Clovis, to extend the term of the contract to December 31,

2026, without changing the compensation of the Agreement, for the Water

Main Replacements in the area bound by Clinton, Teilman, University and

West Avenues Project. (Council District 3)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Actions pertaining to the sale of remnant, undeveloped portions of land

from the Veterans Boulevard Project: (Council District 2)

2.-AA.

ID 24-1615

1. Adopt a finding that the sale of remnant, undeveloped portions of

land from the Veterans Boulevard Project is exempt from California

Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the “Common Sense

Exemption,” set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act

Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3);

2. Approve the Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Real Property

and Escrow Instructions between the City of Fresno and Abbey

Transportation System, Inc., a California corporation, for the sale of

remnant, undeveloped portions of land located adjacent to the

Veterans Boulevard Interchange.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the Second Amendment to Consultant Services Agreement with

2.-CC.

2.-EE.

ID 24-1660

Michael K. Nunley & Associates, Inc., to extend the term of the agreement

to December 30, 2025, for the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater

Reclamation Facility Bar Screen Optimization Study (Council District 3).

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve a cooperative purchase agreement with Carahsoft Technology

ID 24-1655

Corporation through June 30, 2027, for licensing OpenGov asset

management software in the amount of $425,094.55, and for one-time

professional software implementation services in the amount of

$152,120.28, for a total contract amount of $577,214.83. (Citywide)

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the Third Amendment to Consultant Services Agreement with

2.-FF.

ID 24-1667

Carollo Engineers, Inc., to extend the term of the agreement to December

31, 2026, for the preparation of a Nitrate Initial Assessment (Council

Districts 3 and 6).

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to the Facility Relocation Cooperative

2.-GG.

ID 24-1677

Agreement between the City of Fresno and the California High-Speed Rail

Authority. (Council Districts 1, 2, and 3)

During approval of the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Bredefeld

reregistered a NO vote. As such, this item was approved 6-1 by the

following vote:

Aye: 6 – Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Esparza

No: 1 – Bredefeld

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the First Amendment to extend the term of the Master Dual

Jurisdiction Cooperative Agreement between the County of Fresno and

City of Fresno for the improvement, repair, or maintenance of roads and

associated traffic signals, bridges, and facilities for 5 years to December

31, 2029. (Citywide)

2.-HH.

ID 24-1599

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Actions pertaining to the California Air Resource Board (CARB)

2.-II.

ID 24-1493

Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) Grant Program for

Environmental Justice and Transportation Equity in West Fresno:

1. Affirm the City Manager’s finding that Highway City Community

Development, Inc.(HCCD), is uniquely qualified to perform services

related to the City of Fresno’s CARB STEP Grant;

2. Approve a Services Agreement between the City of Fresno and

Highway City Community Development, Inc. (HCCD), through April

30, 2028, in the total amount of$120,000, to provide outreach and

engagement services related to the City’s CARB STEP Grant

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of

2.-JJ.

ID 24-1580

Fresno, Department of Transportation/Fresno Area Express (FAX), and

the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (FMBCC) to support and

recognize the partnership and collaboration on many transportation

initiatives.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the award of a cooperative purchase agreement to New Flyer of

America Inc. for the purchase of four (4) 40’ hydrogen fuel cell electric

buses and required Technician training in the amount of $6,728,116.40

2.-KK.

2.-LL.

ID 24-1581

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Actions pertaining to the Department of Transportation Fresno Area

ID 24-1582

Express (FAX) Bus Maintenance Facility Improvement project (Bid File No.

12500168):

1. Adopt Environment Assessment No. P24-1582, dated November

21, 2024, a determination that the proposed project qualifies for

categorical exemption as set forth in the California Environmental

Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301/Class 1 and Section

15302/Class 2, of the State of California CEQA Guidelines.

2. Approve a construction contract in the amount of $3,473,781 with

RMS Construction, for construction services to implement the

Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) Bus

Maintenance Facility Improvement project.

3. Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign and execute all

related documents.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the award of a cooperative purchase agreement to Gillig LLC. for

ID 24-1590

the purchase of eleven (11) new, 40’ low floor compressed natural gas

(CNG) buses in the amount of $10,258,545.

-MM.

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve the appointment of Matias G. Bernal to the Immigration and

Resident Affairs Committee for a term which serves at the pleasure of the

Councilmember

2.-NN.

2.-OO.

ID 24-1672

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

***RESOLUTION - Directing the City Attorney to continue enforcement of

ID 24-1682

local and state laws related to wage theft prosecutions and street vending

enforcement without requesting the immigration status of street vendors or

victims of crime (Subject to Mayor’s veto)

During approval of the Consent Calendar, Councilmember Bredefeld

reregistered a NO vote. As such, this item was approved 6-1 by the

following vote:

Aye: 6 – Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Esparza

No: 1 – Bredefeld

RESOLUTION 2024-308 ADOPTED

APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR

CONTESTED CONSENT CALENDAR

Approve a Service Agreement with RH Community Builders to manage a

2.-O.

ID 24-1557

Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Rapid Rehousing program offering 25-units

serving youth ages 18 to 24, located at 1309 West Shaw Avenue (District

2), through June 30, 2026, in the total amount of $1,149,508.39 funded with

Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Youth Set-Aside

Funds.

Councilmember Arias moved the above item to Contested Consent for

clarification on the project.

Council discussion included: the background of the project; how the funding

and purpose of the project has shifted; the financial sustainability and model

for the project; operational success and community impact of the project;

tenant management and safety protocols; and the need to balance

addressing youth homelessness and community safety.

APPROVED

On motion of Vice President Karbassi, seconded by Councilmember

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

by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

Approve an Interagency Agreement between the City of Fresno and the

Department of Planning and Development in an amount not to exceed

$3,261,614 in State and Local Fiscal Recover Funds (SLFRF) part of the

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

2.-R.

ID 24-1658

Councilmember Arias moved the above item to Contested Consent to

discuss amending the item.

Council discussion included: the initial interpretation as an agreement

between the city and one department; identification of additional funding

allocated to a third-party agency; bifurcation of the agenda item; and funding

allocation to an external agency.

Councilmember Arias motioned to Approve the item with the following

amendments:

1). $1.2 million to remain for the renovation of Garage 9 for the Housing

Division's office operations.

2). The remainder of the funds to be allocated for the automation of parking

garages in downtown Fresno for the purpose of future downtown residential

housing purposes and projects.

APPROVED AS AMENDED

On motion of Councilmember Arias, seconded by President Perea,

that the above Action Item be APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 4 - Perea, Arias, Maxwell and Esparza

No: 1 - Karbassi

Absent: 2 - Chavez and Bredefeld

Actions related to updating water conservation measures and the City’s

ID 24-1649

2.-BB.

Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Citywide):

1. Adopt a finding that the proposed updates to the City’s water

conservation

measures

are

exempt

from

the

California

Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the common sense

exemption in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no

possibility the proposed changes will have a significant effect on the

environment pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California

Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;

2. BILL (for Introduction) - Amending Subsection (vv) of Section 6-501,

Subsections (a) and (e) of Section 6-520, and Section 6-522 of the

Fresno Municipal Code, relating to regulations for urban water

conservation and water efficient landscape standards;

3. ***RESOLUTION - Amending the Water Shortage Contingency Plan

(Subject to Mayor’s Veto);

4. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 571st Amendment to the Master

Fee Schedule Resolution No. 80-420 to update water rate penalties

relating to conditions of service work in the Public Utilities Section

(Subject to Mayor’s Veto);

5. ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the issuance of fines for violations of

the Fresno Municipal Code’s water conservation regulations based

on water meter data and rescinding Resolution No. 2018-253

(Subject to Mayor’s Veto).

Councilmember Arias moved the above item to Contested Consent for

clarification on water fines for residential users.

Council discussion included: reinstating automatic water fines for

residential users based on meter readings; exclusion of commercial users

from current enforcement, with no clear timeline for inclusion; delays

issuing courtesy notices via mail leading to multiple fines before residents

are aware of violations; the need for instant real-time notification systems,

such as text or app notifications; impacts on vulnerable populations, and

financial strain on the elderly and those on fixed incomes; the importance of

addressing equity in enforcement; the lack of differentiation between

watering on the wrong day and exceeding water allocations.

TABLED

On motion of Councilmember Arias, seconded by Councilmember

Maxwell, that the above Action Item be TABLED. The motion carried

by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

Approve a three-year Consultant Services Agreement with Southwest

Strategies Group for stakeholder engagement and public education

support services for the Department of Public Utilities in the not to exceed

2.-DD.

ID 24-1651

amount of $1,338,000.00. (Citywide)

Councilmembers Arias and Bredefeld moved the above item to Contested

Consent, but announced their questions had been answered by staff. There

was no council discussion.

APPROVED

On motion of Councilmember Bredefeld, seconded by

Councilmember Arias, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The

motion carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

RESOLUTION - Amending Rules 2 and 3 of the Council Rules of

Procedure Relating to Elections and Duties of the Council President and

Vice President

2.-PP.

ID 24-1693

Councilmembers Arias and Karbassi moved the above item to Contested

Consent for clarification of the changes.

Council discussion included: proposed changes to the rules; transitioning to

a merit-based election system for President and Vice President starting

January 2026; removal of term limits for President and Vice President,

allowing second or subsequent terms if supported by votes; clarifying

seniority rules based on the order of being sworn in, and removing the coin

flip method; removing the provision for the President to appoint the Vice

President; vice president will now be elected. Changes pertain only to

president and vice president elections and seniority, with no impact on

office space allocation. Explicit alignment on the timeline of implementation

starting January 2026. Returning to a merit-based election system.

Historical context and personal anecdotes on previous council operations

and rule-making. Technical adjustments to the resolution to reflect

agreed-upon changes.

Vice President Karbassi motioned to approve the item with the following

amendments: Under section "2(a)" of numbered paragraph 1 of the

resolution, remove strike through of and vice president and strike the

bracketed portion. Under section "a(6)" of numbered paragraph 2 of the

resolution, strike all changes under this section except the portion that

clarifies seniority. Under section "b(3)" of numbered paragraph 2 of the

resolution, strike all proposed changes. Entirely strike numbered

paragraph 3 of the resolution. Council President Perea seconded the motion

to approve as amended.

RESOLUTION 2024-309 ADOPTED

On motion of Vice President Karbassi, seconded by President Perea,

that the above Action Item be ADOPTED AS AMENDED. The motion

carried by the following vote:

Aye: 7 -

Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and

Esparza

3. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

Upon call, the following people addressed Council with unscheduled

communication: Jose Luis Barraza, Jose Leon Barraza.

4. CITY COUNCIL

WORKSHOP - Fresno County Property Owner’s Protection Alert

4.-A.

ID 24-1685

The above item was presented to Council by Fresno County Assessor Paul

Dictos.

There was no council discussion.

PRESENTED

5. CLOSED SESSION

During open session, City Attorney Janz announced each of the items that

would be discussed in closed session.

Council withdrew to closed session at 2:43 P.M.

5.-A.

ID 24-1510

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS - Government Code

Section 54957.6

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); 11. Fresno

Airports Public Safety Officers Association (FAPSOA)

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for this item.

DISCUSSED

5.-B.

ID 24-1681

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION

Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1)

Tutelian & Company, Inc. v. City of Fresno; Case Number:

21CECG02805

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for this item.

DISCUSSED

5.-C.

ID 24-1679

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION

Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1)

City of Fresno v. County of Fresno; Fresno Superior Court Case No.:

24CECG01199

The above item was removed from the agenda with no return date by the

City Attorney.

TABLED

5.-D.

ID 24-1680

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION

Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1)

1 Community Compact v. City of Fresno; Fresno Superior Court Case

No. 23CECG02740

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for this item.

DISCUSSED

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED

ID 24-1597

5.-E.

LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of

subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9: 1 potential case

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for this item.

DISCUSSED

5.-F.

ID 24-1674

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2):

City of Fresno v. The Estate of Anthony Lambetecchio

(2686 N. Clovis Ave.; Code Enforcement case number E24-000293)

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for this item.

DISCUSSED

5.-G.

ID 24-1683

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2): 1 potential case

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for this item.

DISCUSSED

5.-H.

ID 24-1684

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

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 for this item.

DISCUSSED

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

ID 24-1647

5.-I.

1. Government Code Section 54957(b): consider the appointment,

employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a

public employee.

Title: City Clerk

2. Government Code Section 54957.6: conference with labor

negotiator. City Negotiator: Council President Annalisa Perea.

Unrepresented Employee: City Clerk

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for 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.-J.

ID 24-1646

Title: City Attorney

2. Government Code Section 54957.6: conference with labor

negotiator. City Negotiator: Council President Annalisa Perea.

Unrepresented Employee: City Attorney

The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open

session announcements for this item.

DISCUSSED

ADJOURNMENT

The Council meeting adjourned from closed session at 4:45 P.M.

The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the

January 9, 2025, regular meeting.