REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: DALTON BENNETT, Projects Administrator
Planning and Development Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve resolution establishing a Community Benefits Fund (CBF) and expenditure plan to fund mitigation improvements required in the settlement agreement with the South Fresno Community Alliance (SFCA) and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability (LCJA).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the resolution to establish the Community Benefits Fund.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 17, 2021, the City of Fresno entered into a settlement agreement with the South Fresno Community Alliance (SFCA) and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability (LCJA). The mitigation improvements in the settlement agreement were established based on the impacts of development activities immediately adjacent to the South Central Specific Plan (SCSP) boundaries. The settlement agreement requires that the City of Fresno manage and administer a Community Benefits Fund.
The Guidelines for the Community Benefits Fund have been completed and are available in both English and Spanish. With this Resolution, the City will begin administering the Fund.
BACKGROUND
On March 11, 2021, The City Council approved a settlement agreement outlining the immediate creation and implementation of a Community Benefits Fund (CBF) to mitigate impacts in the area. A committee was formed which consisted of representatives from the SFCA, LCJA and other sensitive receptors including Orange Center School to develop the CBF guidelines.
Sixteen meetings were held from May 2021 through November 2022. The meetings included guided discussions regarding specific measures to mitigate the impacts outlined in the Settlement Agreement: air quality, light spill, noise, and traffic. The initial request from the committee was to model the program after the Airport Noise grant program...
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