Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CITY RESPONSES
Comments received between March 18, 2022 and the close of the Public Comment period on April 19, 2022 are provided below along with the associated City response. All comments will be incorporated in the final submission of the plans to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). All text in italics are direct quotes of comments; text in regular font are synopses of comments due to length. All comments received via email and survey are posted below in full. Titles are self-reported by each respondent.
Ambassador Brian Kelly, resident of Council District 3: Still desperately need Mobile Bathroom / shower trailers downtown and throughout the city. Really unfortunate it’s taken this long when we have local manufactures capable of designing / building right here in our backyard.
Downtown is still a food desert doesn’t matter how many street eat events or food trucks we have parked people need nutritional fresh produce and the opportunity to buy them from local farmers. Partner with Arte America for weekly markets and highlight farm workers rights. Also financially support more local garden programs require new apt / housing to hold spaces for these as well.
[City Response:
• Throughout the City’s consultation with the community during the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan process, members of the community did not identify having mobile bathrooms or shower trailers as one of the activities that should be funded through CDBG, ESG, HOPWA, or HOME. The City is mandated by federal law to pursue the goals outlined in the 5-year Consolidated Plan through its Annual Action plans.
However, those services were identified as a priority for funding during the HOME-ARP community consultation phase and will be eligible for funding through that program.
The community did identify that “[r]ecreation, nutrition, and social services for seniors” should be funded, and in the 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan, the City funded a program to build community gardens for seniors in the Chinatown area of Fresno. The City did not receive applications to fund similar projects in the 2022-2023 Consolidated Notice of Funding Availability.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Kim Sorian, resident of District 4: Let's please build housing right next to safe & clean transportation routes including bike lanes & cheap bike rentals!! Here are some more ideas down below. And please ensure the bullet train gets finished, especially at time when gas prices are very high!
https://archive.curbed.com/a/texas-california/electric-cars-climate-change- sacramento-california
[City Response:
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
• The City shares your desire for safe and clean transportation routes. In the 2020 Analysis of Impediments, the City noted that moderate-income members of the community spend an average of 71 percent of their household income on housing and transportation costs. To address that issue, the City formed a goal of increasing improvements to streets, curbs, sidewalks, and street lighting, particularly in parts of south Fresno, as part of its 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. That plan informs all of the Annual Action Plans through 2024.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Karen Duvall, retiree and resident: We feel [OASIS/PALS adult-day program] is a much needed community program. After Covid restrictions, there is a great need to get back to a more normal environment. Having had a mother who needed care we can appreciate this effort.
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Suraj Kairamkonda, owner of Right at Home In Home Care & Assistance: I recommend OASIS adult-day program to be chosen by the City of Fresno
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Lily Gutierrez, caregiver and resident of District 5: The Oasis and Adult programs that VCRC provide are extremely needed for our older and dementia seniors who need to socialize and a place where they enjoy. plus allowing a small break for the family caregiver. Please help us keep the doors open for a place for our loveone's to go spend a little time with other peers with the same brain disease and be with others to connect. Our loveone's desperately need this small time away from home.
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Tiffany Zambrano, nursing student and resident of District 4: Please fund the reopening of Oasis Adult Day Program.
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Tina Valla, fiscal manager at Valley Caregiver Resource Center: I support the funding the Community Block Grant for Valley Caregiver Resource Center.
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Natasha Ambriz on behalf of Central Valley Regional Center: Detailed ... rent reasonableness should be clearly explained with examples of area costs. Appreciated the plain language of the checklists.
[City Response:
• The City will work to include this information in future publications. • The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Terry Coleman: Please support OASIS adult day program with funds to allow it to open again.
My mother attended previously and it was a wonderful program to help her have activities with others who have dementia.
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Robin Shepard, resident: The Oasis/Pals program was a tremendous resource for our family.
My aging mother in law is 85 and enjoyed this program TREMENDOUSLY. It gave her a safe and stimulatingly environment and as a care giver it was a blessing to me also. Since the program has been closed we have not been able to find any other program like it. Our aging community has given much in their lives of hard work and sacrifice. This program is one way we Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
can show our gratitude and give back. PLEASE SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO BRING THIS PROGRAM BACK!!!
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Jennifer Webb, HICAP Program Manager: I support the Valley Caregiver Resource Center and the reopening of the OASIS adult day program.
[City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Edward Y Ramos, via email: I would like to see funding be reinstated to support this program. It supports many individuals that need that day care for adults extra care to survive the day to day life support lt takes to help cognitive support for many residents. You youngsters are the life support for us oldies, please support us older citizens. [City Response:
• The Draft Program Yeary 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan includes funding for Valley Caregiver Resource Center to relaunch its OASIS Adult Day Care program. The Annual Action Plan will be taken to the City Council for consideration and final approval before submission to HUD.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Stephanie Maruqez, resident of District 3: I would like for there to be a bike path created in Edison. I also would like for sidewalks to be installed on every street in the area. I would also like to see more beautification with drought resistant plants in the area.
[City Response:
• The City has applied for funding through the Congestion Mitigration Air Quality (CMAQ) grant which will fund the intstallation of approximately 1,190 linear feet of sidewalks along the south side of California from Fruit to Thorne and along the north side of California between Kern and Pottle.
In 2017, the City adopted the Active Transportation Plan that includes prioritizing higher quality active transportation infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Hope & Effort Appropriately Thriving (H.E.A.T) for South West Fresno Community, a group of residents living in Southwest Fresno:
The City held an in-person meeting on March 28, 2022 to discuss the 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan. Below is a synopsis of the comments provided by the approximately 10 members who were in attendance:
• Public outreach can be improved by taking the funds used to publish public notices in the Fresno Bee and reappropriating them to door-hanger distribution or mailing notices through the United States Postal Services. Members felt that the Fresno Bee’s circulation is expensive and largely digital
• Holding community meetings in Selland Arena, Chuckchansi Park, or the Save Mart Center would benefit public outreach
• Public service announcements should be made on television during the local news • The City should coordinate with schools to distribute fliers to children for them to take home to their parents
• The City is not using the federal funds allocated through the 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan to address blight in the Southwest Fresno area
[City Response:
• The City is looking to improve its outreach efforts wherever possible. The suggestions provided by members of H.E.A.T. will be considered for feasibility, and implementation methods considered feasible will be incorporated into future outreach efforts.
When the City consulted residents during the development of the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan, they did not feel blight was a high enough priority for the federal funds administered through the Annual Action plans. As a result, the City primarily focuses on addressing homelessness, creating more affordable housing, funding community services, promoting fair housing practices, and programmatic compliance. • The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
The Disability Advisory Commission provided its comments via letter:
• Would like the City to look at its goals to provide decent, affordable housing, create suitable living environments, and expand economic opportunities through the lens of disability access
• CDBG funds should be used for public infrastructure barrier removal in accordance with the ADA Transition Plan
• Recommends continuing to partner with subject matter experts for greater understanding of the diverse needs amongst people with HIV/AIDS • Would like to see funds go to more service providers for a greater diversity of choice, available options, and more effective assistance in available programs • Wants to see a larger allocation to Fair Housing services with a greater emphasis on providing legal help for existing tenants to request reasonable accommodations • Would like to see HOME funds made available for home modifications for people of any age who have acquired disabiltities. Should also include people who rent homes (with permission of the property owner)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
• It would also like to see different metrics used to define “success.” Recommends reporting the extent to which a person was assisted
• Would like to see more funding allocations toward increasing options for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, tiny houses, and mixed-use rental homes that can be located in established neighborhoods
• Wants funding to be made available for mental health support services • Would like more afterschool programs available to more youth • Would like the City to work toward a more robust outreach effort to provide people who are served by these funds with opportunities to provide input
[City Response:
• The City will continue to work to be as inclusive as possible in its decision-making process and the programs it chooses to implement. The goal of reducing barriers to access along the City’s roadways is achieved through the work of the Department of Public Works in consideration of the ADA Transition Plan.
While the City is excited about the partnerships it has developed through this and previous Annual Action Plans, it continues to work to develop additional partnerships to grow the level of access provided to Fresnans.
The City uses metrics that are outlined by federal regulations; however, it will take into consideration expanding those metrics for City reporting purposes.
The City is continuing to expand its outreach efforts year-over-year. With COVID-19 restrictions on staff being reduced, more in-person meetings have the opportunity to occur for future Action Plans. The added flexibility of in-person meetings alongside the virtual meetings the City has implemented over the past two years will help residents become more informed about opportunities for public comment.
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Nicole Linder sent an email on behalf of the Marjaree Mason Center. Below is an excerpt:
• Although we have been grateful for your past support from CDBG funds for renovations of parts of the shelter, previous ESG, CARES Act dollars and Emergency Rental Assistance, and those dollars all provided survivors in our community with safe shelter, there is nothing in this 2022 Annual Action Plan budget or on any City of Fresno homeless planning documents that would suggest there is consideration of housing resources for survivors starting June 1, 2022.
[City Response:
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Priscilla Meza sent an email on behalf of Rape Crisis Advocates of Fresno. Below is an excerpt:
• As the City of Fresno looks to create and fund a comprehensive action plan to address the issue of homelessness, it is imperative that this plan includes strategies to adequately and effectively meet the housing needs of survivors impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking and at risk of experiencing Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
homelessness as a result of their assaults. Having access to safe shelter/housing is a basic human right and a core issue in the advocacy work provided by RCS Fresno, along with the advocacy work provided by our community advocacy partners. [City Response:
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Michaela Bennet provided a public comment via email:
• Would like to see the City implement programs like Santa Barbara’s Safe Parking Lots program and Mountain View’s Life Moves’ program
[City Response:
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Brandi Nuse-Villegas submitted a comment via email:
• Would like to see eviction protections, right to counsel, funding for other potential programs (e.g. deposit program) incorporated into the Annual Action Plan • Wants to see greater outreach and assistance to renters navigating tenants rights • Would like to see an organization other than Poverello House chosen to assist the HART team. States that Poverello House staff lack mental health outreach training • Would like to see a committee formed of unhoused and recently unhouse (i.e. housed for less than two years) to assist in finding ways to address concerns affecting the unhoused
• Wants Wifi and surveys available at all shelters. Would like to see surveys made available during outreach efforts, at libraries, and on bus signage. These efforts could gain feedback on current and proposed projects and give information about upcoming City meetings
[City Response:
• The public comment has been considered and accepted.]
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 1: Survey Response – Brian Kelly (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 1: Survey Response – Brian Kelly (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 2: Survey Response – Kim Sorian (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 2: Survey Response – Kim Sorian (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 3: Survey Response – Karen A Duvall (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 3: Survey Response – Karen A Duvall (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 4: Survey Response – Suraj Kairamkonda (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 4: Survey Response – Suraj Kairamkonda (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 5: Survey Response – Lily Gutierrez (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 5: Survey Response – Lily Gutierrez (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 6: Survey Response – Tiffany Zambrano (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 6: Survey Response – Tiffany Zambrano (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 7: Survey Response – Tina Valla (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 7: Survey Response – Tina Valla (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 8: Survey Response – Natasha Ambriz (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 8: Survey Response – Natasha Ambriz (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 9: Survey Response – Terry Coleman (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 9: Survey Response – Terry Coleman (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 10: Survey Response – Robin Shepard (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 10: Survey Response – Robin Shepard (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 11: Survey Response – Jennifer Webb (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 11: Survey Response – Jennifer Webb (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 12: Survey Response – Stephanie Marquez (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 12: Survey Response – Stephanie Marquez (2 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 13: Email Response – Nicole Linder (1 of 3)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 13: Email Response – Nicole Linder (2 of 3)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 13: Email Response – Nicole Linder (3 of 3)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 14: Email Response – Brandi Nuse-Villegas (1 of 4)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 14: Email Response – Brandi Nuse-Villegas (2 of 4)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 14: Email Response – Brandi Nuse-Villegas (3 of 4)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 14: Email Response – Brandi Nuse-Villegas (4 of 4)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 15: Email Response – Michaela Bennet (1 of 6)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 15: Email Response – Michaela Bennet (2 of 6)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 15: Email Response – Michaela Bennet (3 of 6)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 15: Email Response – Michaela Bennet (4 of 6)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 15: Email Response – Michaela Bennet (5 of 6)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 15: Email Response – Michaela Bennet (6 of 6)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 16: Email Response – Priscilla Meza (1 of 2)
Public Comments and City Responses – 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan
Exhibit 16: Email Response – Priscilla Meza (2 of 2)