2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
www.fresno.gov
City of Fresno
Meeting Minutes - Final
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
1:30 PM Council Chambers (In
Person and/or Electronic)
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Special Meeting
The City Council met in special session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the date and time above written. The special meeting was held concurrently with a separately noticed regular meeting.
ROLL CALL
The special meeting was called to order at 1:33 p.m.
Councilmember Nelson Esparza
Council President Tyler Maxwell
Vice President Annalisa Perea
Councilmember Mike Karbassi
Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias
Councilmember Luis Chavez
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld
Present: 7 -
APPROVE AGENDA
On motion of Vice President Perea, seconded by Councilmember Chavez, the above agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and Bredefeld
7 -
ID 23-701 Notice of Special Meeting - Signed
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April 27, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
OPEN SESSION
A. ID 23-702 RESOLUTION - Amending the Better Business Act Providing an Exception for Affordable Housing, Senior Affordable Housing, and Mixed-Use Projects Benefitting the Public Health, Safety, and Welfare of the City The above item was discussed simultaneously with open session item B (ID 23-703) and introduced to the Council by Councilmember Chavez.
Council discussion on these items included: applicability of the current Better Business Act to the Fancher Creek Town Center Development and affordable housing projects; the purpose of the proposed Better Business Act changes to expedite affordable housing projects; why the Act was being amended; the length of time to complete the report; the need for clarification as to whether the developer made a personal guarantee or utilized a performance bond; the Francher Creek project being100% affordable housing and the ability to adjust the Better Business Act moving forward; the possibility of utilizing ARPA funding; the projections established by the Better Business Act; the amount of money the City of Fresno has already invested in the Fancher Creek project and the amount of private investment in the project; the requirements found in the development agreement; how the City can step in to cover the cost which was determined to be the obligation of the developer; the history of the City covering some construction costs for projects, but not for connecting city roadways and utilities, and; the developer's assurance there will be no additional requests to cover costs for Bakman Water.
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Emily Brandt; Lisa Flores; Westly Harris, and Shar Thompson.
Councilmember Chavez motion to approve item A (ID 23-702) and item B (ID 23-703) with an amendment to Section 1 of item A as follows: projects that have a 100% affordable housing component for which the city is contributing funds from State or Federal allocations to fulfill required health and safety related conditions of approval shall be exempt upon the adoption of a finding by the council that the city contribution would benefit the public health, safety, and welfare.
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April 27, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
RESOLUTION 2023-111 ADOPTED AS AMENDED FOR ITEM A (ID
23-702)
RESOLUTION 2023-112 ADOPTED FOR ITEM B (ID 23-703)
On motion of Councilmember Chavez, seconded by Councilmember Karbassi, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and Bredefeld
7 -
B. ID 23-703 ***RESOLUTION - Supporting a City Contribution of Funds to, or on Behalf of, FCTC Senior, LP for the Construction of Water Infrastructure Necessary to Meet Fire Suppression Requirements, in an Amount Not to Exceed $2,700,000, Associated with the Fancher Creek Town Center Development and Affordable Housing Projects therein (Subject to Mayor ’s Veto)
The above item was discussed simultaneously with open session item A (ID 23-7002) and was introduced to the Council by Councilmember Chavez.
Council discussion on these items included: applicability of the current Better Business Act to the Fancher Creek Town Center Development and affordable housing projects; the purpose of the proposed Better Business Act changes to expedite affordable housing projects; why the Act was being amended; the length of time to complete the report; the need for clarification as to whether the developer made a personal guarantee or utilized a performance bond; the Francher Creek project being100% affordable housing and the ability to adjust the Better Business Act moving forward; the possibility of utilizing ARPA funding; the projections established by the Better Business Act; the amount of money the City of Fresno has already invested in the Fancher Creek project and the amount of private investment in the project; the requirements found in the development agreement; how the City can step in to cover the cost which was determined to be the obligation of the developer; the history of the City covering some construction costs for projects, but not for connecting city roadways and utilities, and; the developer's assurance there will be no additional requests to cover costs for Bakman Water.
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Emily Brandt; Lisa Flores; Westly Harris, and Shar Thompson.
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April 27, 2023City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
Councilmember Chavez motion to approve item A (ID 23-702) and item B (ID 23-703) with an amendment to Section 1 of item A as follows: projects that have a 100% affordable housing component for which the city is contributing funds from State or Federal allocations to fulfill required health and safety related conditions of approval shall be exempt upon the adoption of a finding by the council that the city contribution would benefit the public health, safety, and welfare.
RESOLUTION 2023-111 ADOPTED AS AMENDED FOR ITEM A (ID
23-702)
RESOLUTION 2023-112 ADOPTED FOR ITEM B (ID 23-703)
On motion of Councilmember Chavez, seconded by Councilmember Karbassi, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Chavez and Bredefeld
7 -
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned from special session at 2:38 P.M.
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the May 11, 2023, regular meeting.
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