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, October 28, 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 5:39 P.M.

5:39 P.M. Roll Call

Commissioner Miller joined the meeting at 6:12 P.M.

Present 6 -

Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward,

Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Rose Caglia,

Commissioner Kelly Kucharski, and Commissioner Scott

Miller

Absent 3 -

Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Harman Singh, and

Commissioner Christina Soto

Pledge of Allegiance

Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve Agenda

On motion of Commissioner Barraza, seconded by Vice Chair Ward,

the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following

vote:

Aye: 5 -

Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia and Commissioner Kucharski

Absent: 4 -

Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner

Singh and Commissioner Soto

Approval of Minutes

Approval of the regular meeting minutes of October 14, 2024.

5.-A.

ID 24-1421

On motion of Commissioner Caglia, seconded by Chair McCoy, that

the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Aye: 5 -

Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia and Commissioner Kucharski

Absent: 4 -

Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner

Singh and Commissioner Soto

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 reported the committee recently conducted a site

visit along the Parkway, assessing four or five properties. The subcommittee

identified two projects they want to propose funding for. However, they will

hold off on a final decision until after today's presentation from the PARCS

or Public Works Departments about Parkway projects.

Members Reports and Comments

COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Expressed

appreciation to Commissioner Caglia for attending a community meeting in

Southeast Fresno. Acknowledged Executive Director Lilia Chavez for her

informative presentation on the culture arts districts, explaining what they

are and how they function. Expressed gratitude to the office of

Councilmember Chavez for their attendance and support at the event.

COMMISSIONER CAGLIA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged

the San Joaquin River Parkway Subcommittee for arranging a tour, and

expressed gratitude to the San Joaquin River Parkway and the San Joaquin

River Trust for hosting the tour.

VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Attended a tour of the

San Joaquin River Parkway, acknowledged the PARCS department and the

San Joaquin River Parkway subcommittee for organizing it, and encouraged

commissioners who couldn’t attend to participate in the future.

CHAIR MCCOY REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Commended the Fresno

Arts Council for their beautiful awards ceremonies, including the State of the

Arts and Horizon Awards. Acknowledged Dr. Lilia Chavez for the invitation

and expressed having a great time at the ceremony.

City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments

PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Clarified that

the presentation of interest on Category 5 with Public Works will occur next

week with Director Mozier, and tonight’s presentation will focus on

programming. Announced PARCS Departments past and future community

events. Acknowledged the PRAC Commission, administration, and the

PARCS Department staff for their efforts in organizing the community

events.

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, no members of the public addressed the Commission with

unscheduled communication.

10.

Workshops:

Workshop - Overview of PARCS Department’s FY 2025 After School,

Recreation, and Community Services Programs to inform the FY 2026

budget (PARCS).

10.-A.

ID 24-1448

The above item was presented to the Commission by Assistant Director

MacNab.

Commission discussion on this item included: Neighborhood safety and

community engagement partnering with non profits. Community centers and

community engagement with the science mobile unit. Senior hot meals and

locations where they are offered. Youth employment and mentorship

programs at community centers and parks. Participation in youth sports,

cheer leading, and dance classes for the youth. Future events, and other

sports at city parks. Sponsorships of city facilities. Outreach efforts for

adaptive recreation. Bucket three money, and recommendations for

unfunded needs. Community groups access to city facilities, partnerships,

and the process for reserving facilities. Special events using city facilities.

Offering and teaching youth work skills. Fee waivers for individuals and

groups, and promotion of the programs. Nonprofits working with youth girls

providing programs and mentorship's.

Workshop - Expanded Access to Arts and Culture quarterly PRAC

ID 24-1449

10.-B.

Reporting for July 2024 - September 2024 (Fresno Arts Council).

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

Executive Director Lilia Gonzales Chavez.

Commission discussion on this item included: Annual and quarterly reports

listing grant recipients by zip code, and allocation of funding.

11.

Discussion Items:

Hearings:

12.

Hearing - Actions pertaining to the Highest Needs Definition 2025-2027

ID 24-1450

12.-A.

1. Presentation of the outcomes of phase two of outreach for the

Highest-Needs Definition of 2025-2027.

2. Discussion relating to the Highest-Needs Definition 2025-2027

3. Recommendation to City Council to Adopt a Proposed Highest

Needs Definition for 2025-2027.

The above item was called to order at 6:52 P.M. and was presented to the

Commission by Program Manager Gaytan. Upon call, no members of the

public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 7:04 P.M.

Commission discussion on this item included: Phase two outreach results,

and current priorities. Selecting a percentage. Feedback from the

community about the process. Weighted equity factor scoring results. What

percentage of committee recommendations will be sent to City Council for

approval. Public involvement in the process. Support of the top 50% being

approved.

On motion of Commissioner Barraza, seconded by Commissioner

Caglia, to recommend to the city council that 50% be allocated, as

indicated by the public’s input be APPROVED. The motion carried by

the following vote:

Aye: 6 -

Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski and

Commissioner Miller

Absent: 3 -

Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Singh and

Commissioner Soto

Hearing - Actions pertaining to the Parks, After School, Recreation, and

Community Services (PARCS) Department's FY 2026 Budget Build as it

relates to capital projects; after school, recreation, and community services

programs; and trails, beautification, and the San Joaquin River Parkway

1. Presentation - Overview of the FY 2026 budget build process.

2. Receive public input on expenditures related to the PARCS

Department's FY 2026 budget.

12.-B.

ID 24-1451

3. Action - Make recommendations to the City Council for adoption of

expenditures in connection to the PARCS Department's FY 2026

budget (PARCS).

The above item was called to order at 7:08 P.M. and was presented to the

Commission by Assistant Director Chinevere. Upon call, no members of the

public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 7:13 P.M.

Commission discussion on this item included: Allocating funds during this

meeting or the November 18,2024 meeting, and recommendations adopted

during the budget process. Extension of the youth employment program.

Using Measure "P" funds to add a full time position to the Public Works

Department for conservation services in city parks.

Chair McCoy motioned to allocate $75,000 for neighborhood safety and

community engagement focusing on female youth. Commissioner Barraza

seconded the motion which PASSED by the following vote:

Aye: 6 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, and Commissioner Miller

Absent: 3 - Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Singh, and Commissioner

Soto

Chair McCoy Motioned to allocate $75,000 for a mentorship program

targeting youth ages 9 to 17, with a focus on academic support, workforce

readiness, and general mentorship. The motion was withdrawn to allow staff

to clarify the motion language, and bring it back to the November 18, 2024

meeting.

Commissioner Barraza motioned to allocate $300,000 and to make a minor

language change so funding applies not only to individuals but also to

nonprofit organizations serving low-income residents, helping them qualify

for fee waivers, and encourage staff to improve public awareness about the

availability of the fee waivers. Additional clarification on the motion was

made to allocate $300,000 to continue the youth fee waiver program and

increase marketing and outreach efforts to encourage higher utilization of

the fee waiver. Chair McCoy seconded the motioned which PASSED by the

following vote:

Aye: 6 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, and Commissioner Miller

Absent: 3 - Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Singh, and Commissioner

Soto

Hearing - Resolution - To create the Cultural Arts Grant Fund

ID 24-1422

12.-C.

Subcommittee

The above item was called to order at 7:27 P.M. Upon call, no members of

the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 7:28 P.M.

Commission discussion on this item included: Ad-hoc committee, verses

standing committee. Receiving cost information from staff. Creating a new

ad-hoc committee annually per project.

Chair McCoy appointed Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Miller, and

Commissioner Dohlin to the subcommittee.

RESOLUTION 2024-4 ADOPTED

On motion of Chair McCoy, seconded by Commissioner Caglia, that

the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the

following vote:

Aye: 6 -

Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,

Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski and

Commissioner Miller

Absent: 3 -

Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Singh and

Commissioner Soto

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.-D.

ID 24-1423

The above item was called to order at 7:32 P.M. Upon call, no members of

the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 7:35 P.M.

There was no Commission discussion on this item.

13.

Adjournment

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

welcomed her cousin Georgia Davis serving in the Navy home from Dubai,

and thanked her for her service, at 7:36 P.M.

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

Arts Commission during the October 28, 2024, regular meeting wit Commissioners

Caglia, Dohlin, Singh, and Ward absent.