City of Fresno  
2600 Fresno Street  
Fresno, CA 93721  
www.fresno.gov  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Wednesday, June 7, 2023  
9:00 AM  
Budget Hearings Continued From June 6, 2023. The budget  
hearings will be considered one continuous meeting  
Council Chambers (In Person and/or Electronic)  
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  
City Council resumed the budget hearings in open session in the Council Chamber,  
City Hall, on the date and time above written.  
9:06 A.M. ROLL CALL  
Councilmember Bredefeld led the Pledge of Allegiance.  
Present: 6 -  
Councilmember Nelson Esparza  
Vice President Annalisa Perea  
Councilmember Mike Karbassi  
Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias  
Councilmember Luis Chavez  
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld  
Absent: 1 - Council President Tyler Maxwell  
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag  
Councilmember Bredefeld led the Pledge of Allegiance.  
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2023 - 9:00 A.M. (CONTINUED BUDGET  
HEARING)  
Public Works Department  
ID 23-792  
The above Public Works Department budget overview was continued from  
June 6, 2023 and presented to Council by Director Mozier.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE PUBLIC  
WORKS BUDGET OVERVIEW:  
Councilmember Arias requested staff provide a cost estimate for road  
Paving for the areas Between (Fruit, Kearney Blvd, A St., California).  
Councilmember Arias requested staff provide a cost estimate for Shields &  
Valentine intersection for traffic signal installation and road paving.  
Councilmember Karbassi requested a cost estimate to add protective  
left-turn phasing to north/south traffic at Shaw and Feland Avenues.  
Councilmember Arias requested information on the last three years what is  
the General Fund commitment to Department Public Works that excludes  
earned income from fees, SGF, Measure C,and council infrastructure.  
Councilmember Arias requested a complete list of solar projects completed,  
coming online, and when anticipated to be operational as well as the ones  
that have yet to put out.  
Councilmember Arias requested cost of historic lamp posts to be put back  
up.  
Councilmember Karbassi requested information regarding the cost to equip  
each inspector in Public Works Department with iPads/tablets.  
Councilmember Karbassi requested information regarding security gate  
around employee parking lot: cost estimate of a phase plan over the next  
couple of years.  
Councilmember Chavez requested information on the amount of  
reassessment for District 5, and the last time they were done.  
Vice President Perea requested information regarding alley gate program  
and what is the cost to install one alley gate on each side.  
Vice President Perea requested a memo on what it would take to bring  
those in house for Tower District street lights.  
Vice President Perea requested a memo to get the cost estimate for  
textured stamped paving for the Fresno High Area (on Echo Ave between  
McKinley Ave and Weldon Ave) and other methods of traffic calming.  
Councilmember Chavez requested information regarding Measure C  
carryover and how much of that Measure C was carryover from previous  
year by subcategory.  
THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING BUDGET  
HEARINGS:  
Councilmember Chavez motioned to make Tulare, Belmont, Sunnyside, and  
Fowler priority for paving. Councilmember Esparza seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Chavez motioned to include California, Butler, Hazelwood,  
and Orange in the rebuild Fresno 2.0 initiative. Councilmember Esparza  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Bredefeld motioned to fund $3 million in infrastructure  
projects in District 6. ($2.1 million for repaving of Herndon-Cedar/Sierra  
Millbrook, $425,000 repaving First Street between Herndon and Sierra,  
$150,000 repaving Sierra between Fresno and Fwy 41, $150,000 repaving  
Thesta between Escalon and Bullard, 17 sidewalk, curb and gutter projects  
$169,500). Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the construction of a roundabout  
on Wishon and Fountain for $260,000.Councilmember Chavez seconded the  
motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the installation of street lighting  
at the intersection of Willow Ave. and Tulare Ave. Councilmember Chavez  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the installation of an in-pavement  
lighted crosswalk at all intersections of Rowell Elementary School.  
Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the paving of streets at  
Tulare/5th, Tulare/6th, Tulare/7th. Councilmember Chavez seconded the  
motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the paving of the  
Home-First-Pine-Millbrook neighborhood. Councilmember Chavez  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the paving of the  
Chestnut-Tulare-McKenzie-Winery neighborhood. Councilmember Chavez  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the installation of street lighting  
on Tulare Ave between Chestnut Avenue and Peach Avenue.  
Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the paving of the  
Winery-Tulare-Willow-McKenzie neighborhood. Councilmember Chavez  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the paving of Peach Avenue from  
Olive to McKinley. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund street lighting along Washington  
Avenue and 4th Street near the cross streets of First Street and Belmont.  
Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $550,000 for roadwork on  
Weber Ave to Camp Pashayan in Council District 2. Vice President Perea  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $500,000 for intersection  
upgrades at Barstow and Grantland. Councilmember Esparza seconded the  
motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $150,000 for a memorial for  
victims of traffic fatalities. Vice President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $210,000 for roadwork on  
Van Ness in Council District 2. Councilmember Arias seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $855,000 for mill & pave,  
slurry seal for the neighborhood Herndon-Alluvial, Van Ness to West. Vice  
President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $50,000 for the installation of  
irrigation infrastructure at vacant lot between Barstow and Bryan (lot not  
covered by neighborhood’s CFD). Vice President Perea seconded the  
motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned for $65,000 to close the Gap funding needed  
to complete the Yale paving project. Councilmember Arias seconded the  
motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to allocate funding to implement  
recommendations from traffic intersection study for $500,000.  
Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to allocate funding to pave residential  
streets at West Brown, between N. Hughes Ave, N. Crystal Ave., and W.  
Cornell Ave. Councilmember Arias seconded the motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to allocate funding to update historical  
ornamental lights in the Fresno High neighborhood to LED lights.  
Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to Slurry seal Fruit Ave from Clinton to  
Dakota Ave. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to update landscaping frontage Median  
Island along West Ave from Shaw to Norwich Ave. Councilmember Karbassi  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to fund $500,000 for Downtown (Fulton  
Street) and Chinatown (F Street) for overhead string LED lighting.  
Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $1.9 Million in funding for road  
repaving and concrete repair for a residential area in Southwest Fresno  
bounded by Jensen, Elm, Church, & Kirk. Councilmember Chavez seconded  
the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $4.1 million to repave unfunded  
streets as identified in the memo in response to council direction #8  
regarding the Tower District area bounded by Weber McKinley, Palm, &  
Olive. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $200,000 from Beautify Fresno  
budget to provide trash and pressure washing in Chinatown, similar to what  
is done in Downtown and Tower District. Councilmember Chavez seconded  
the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $2.4 Million for the Chinatown  
area for road repaving and concrete work that is not funded by TCC grant  
dollars. Vice President Perea seconded the motion.  
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - 9:00 A.M.  
City Clerk Stermer announced File ID 23-792 - Public Works Department  
budget was continued from Tuesday, June 6, 2023, budget hearings.  
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Alan  
McCuen, Brandi Nuse-Villegas, Annie McCuen, Alisha Corchado, Pedro  
Navarro, Emma Sultan, Lisa Flores, Adrian Zarate, Harman Singh, Ashley  
Rojas, and Tony Quezada.  
REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE JUNE  
7, 2023, BUDGET OVERVIEW:  
Councilmember Arias requested information regarding the total number of  
citywide positions that were added in Fiscal Year 2019, Fiscal Year 2020,  
Fiscal Year 2021, Fiscal Year 2022, Fiscal Year 2023, and those being  
proposed in Fiscal Year 2024.  
Councilmember Arias requested a list of all capital improvement projects  
included in Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023 that were not fully  
funded or went undeveloped.  
Councilmember Arias requested information on the current vacant position  
that is currently unfilled to be focused on the Tower District Business  
Corridor.  
Councilmember Karbassi requested a breakdown of the $1,824,900 cost for  
replacement of the fire alarm panel at MSC (General Services Budget item).  
Vice President Perea requested a memo to confirm there's a special fund to  
capture concert profits to make improvements to the Tower Theater.  
Councilmember Chavez requested information on fine for selling illegal  
fireworks.  
THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING BUDGET  
HEARINGS:  
Councilmember Chavez motioned to give direction for legal counsel to  
establish a community service requirement for people caught graffitiing  
property. Councilmember Esparza seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Chavez motioned to allocate $100,000 for Community  
Affairs for immigrant legal defense fund. Vice President Perea seconded the  
motion.  
Councilmember Chavez motioned to allocate $75,000 for Centro La Familia.  
Vice President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Bredefeld motioned to allocate $52,500 for 3 Code  
Enforcement cameras to catch illegal dumping. Councilmember Karbassi  
seconded the motion.  
Fire Department  
ID 23-793  
The above Fire Department budget overview was presented to Council by  
Interim Fire Chief Alcorn.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE FIRE  
DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEW:  
Councilmember Chavez requested the latest heat map.  
Councilmember Arias requested information on the amount of multilingual  
response staff and officers within the Fire Department.  
Councilmember Karbassi requested a memo regarding how much it costs in  
Overtime to raise daily minimum staffing to 103 and what other options are  
there to get to 103.  
THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING BUDGET  
HEARINGS:  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $160,000 to equip all fire  
staff with ballistic vests and helmets. Vice President Perea seconded the  
motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $100,000 for any  
improvement necessary to sustain four fire fighters at a time at Station 2.  
Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS)  
ID 23-794  
The above PARCs Department budget overview was presented to Council  
by Director Aguirre  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE PARCs  
DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEW:  
Councilmember Arias requested the following information from staff  
regarding Measure P: How much Measure P money has been received in  
total, what amount has been appropriated, what amount has not been  
appropriated, and how much interest has been generated from the Measure  
P deposits.  
Councilmember Karbassi requested a memo on the cost to resurface the  
tennis courts at Logan Park exclusively to pickle ball courts.  
THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING BUDGET  
HEARINGS:  
Councilmember Arias motioned to adopt PRAC’s recommendation #1 for  
free entrance for Fresno residents to City parks on National Parks Day and  
on a second day, yet to be determined. Vice President Perea seconded the  
motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to adopt PRAC’s recommendation #6 to  
allocate  
$250,000 to repurpose the softball field at JSK Park, and to repurpose one  
of the eight soccer fields at the Regional Sports Complex into cricket fields  
with guidance from Cricket League leaders on the requirements for a field.  
Vice President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $2 Million for the completion of  
the construction of Ted C. Wills’ green space. Councilmember Karbassi  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $6 Million construction of San  
Pablo Park. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to identify Basin XX as a high-priority,  
high-needs for the joint use agreement with the Flood Control District to  
make it a dual-purpose space; green space and water basin, and allocate $1  
Million for the construction phase of Basin XX. Councilmember Karbassi  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $1 Million for remediation of the  
contamination of green space located on the south parcel of Maxie Parks  
Community Center. Vice President Perea seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Chavez motioned to include flood control property near  
Church as a future park site. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Chavez motioned to allocate $300,000 for the Community  
Garden/Dog Park on 11th and Tulare. Councilmember Esparza seconded  
the motion.  
Councilmember Bredefeld motioned to fund $800,000 in construction costs  
to finish the Pickleball Facility at Rotary East Park at Sierra and Cedar.  
This will update the number of courts, add amenities, and meet the ADA  
accessibility requirements. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund acquisition of property at First &  
Clinton for the expansion of Radio Park for $1 Million. Councilmember Arias  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the design and construction of  
new play structure at Lafayette Park for $350,000. Councilmember Chavez  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund the design of a skate park  
amenity at Manchester Park for $190,000. Councilmember Chavez  
seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund year round senior activities for  
$482,000. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Esparza motioned to fund a city run Play Streets program  
for a total of $200,000. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to turn to the Mickingley and Weber basin  
into a dual use park contingent whether it is needed for recharge.  
Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to allocate $9 Million to the design and  
construction of Quigley Park. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the  
motion.  
Vice President Perea motioned to allocate $70,000 for multi use court at  
Lions Park. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $50,000 to upgrade the  
monument sign with lighting and other improvements at Logan Park.  
Councilmember Esparza seconded the motion.  
Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $150,000 towards a fireworks  
show to celebrate Diwali in 2023. Event is to be held in Council District 1 or  
2. Vice President Perea seconded the motion.  
Personnel Services Department  
ID 23-795  
The above Personal Service Department budget overview was presented to  
Council by Assistant City Manager Miller.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE  
PERSONNEL SERVICES DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEW:  
Councilmember Arias requested information on all settlements over the last  
5 years and the breakdown of the liability ISF charge for personnel.  
Councilmember Arias request staff provide a sample of a bare minimum  
exam for 911 dispatchers and FAX bus drivers.  
Councilmember Arias requested staff provide the total numbers of positions  
in 2019 compared to FY 2024 Proposed Budget.  
Convention Center / Stadium  
ID 23-796  
Councilmember Arias requested information on what is the outstanding debt  
for Convention Center facilities.  
Councilmember Arias requested on what bonds are leveraged against the  
entire Convention Center facilities, including garages.  
Councilmember Arias requested a memo of differed maintenance on the  
Seland Arena/Convention Center.  
Councilmember Arias requested information on when was the last financial  
audit conducted for the Grizzlies.  
Councilmember Arias requested information on how much will the  
organization invest in the stadium, and towards what improvements.  
Councilmember Arias requested information on the estimated cost for  
painting of the buildings.  
Councilmember Karbassi requested information on the vacancy rate at the  
Convention Center (number of days and evening events are booked vs. not).  
Councilmember Karbassi requested the vacancy rate at the Save Mart  
Center (assuming ASM will provide that).  
Councilmember Karbassi requested a list of deferred maintenance items  
(and costs, if available).  
Councilmember Karbassi requested information on what investments are  
needed to make the Convention Center a state of the art facility given its  
present limitations (e.g. seating capacity, parking, etc).  
Department of Public Utilities  
ID 23-797  
The above Department of Public Utilities budget overview was presented to  
Council by Director Buche.  
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.  
REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE  
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC UTILITIES BUDGET OVERVIEW:  
Council President Maxwell requested a memo on the number of homes on  
average that would be able to be served with $105,000 in Lawn to Garden  
rebate program funding, information on how the estimate was calculated,  
the average square footage per home that applies, and qualifies for a Lawn  
to Garden rebate.  
Councilmember Arias is requesting a complete list of how the "Beautify  
Fresno" Program is funded (all sources - Measure P, General Fund, etc.);  
where the appropriations lie (by line item) and what they fund.  
Councilmember Arias requested information on the following: 1.) The status  
of the Northpointe Settlement Agreement, specifically what is the status of  
the construction of water and sewer infrastructure for Daleville Community  
(section 3 of agreement). 2.) What is the status of acquiring portions of E.  
Central Ave. and S. Cherry Ave. (section 8 of agreement) and what is the  
estimated cost for acquisition. 3.) What is the cost estimate for a signalized  
intersection with curb ramps and crosswalks at the E. Central Ave. and S.  
Cherry Ave. intersection (section 4a of agreement). 4.) What is the status of  
the installation of ‘No Idling’ signs throughout the AB617 area (section 9 of  
agreement)  
ADJOURNMENT  
City Council recessed the June 7, 2023 Budget Hearings at 6:01 P.M. The  
budget hearing was scheduled to resume Thursday, June 8, 2023, at 9:00  
A.M.  
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the  
June 15, 2023, regular meeting.