2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
www.fresno.gov
City of Fresno
Meeting Minutes
City Council
President - Annalisa Perea
Vice President - Mike Karbassi
Councilmembers:
Miguel Angel Arias, Tyler Maxwell, Luis Chavez,
Garry Bredefeld, Nelson Esparza
City Manager - Georgeanne A. White
City Attorney - Andrew Janz
City Clerk - Todd Stermer, CMC
3:00 PM Council ChambersFriday, December 13, 2024
Special Meeting
The City Council met in special session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the date and time above written.
3:09 P.M. ROLL CALL
Councilmember Bredefeld led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Councilmember Annalisa Perea
Council President Mike Karbassi
Vice President Miguel Angel Arias
Councilmember Tyler Maxwell
Councilmember Luis Chavez
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld
Councilmember Nelson Esparza
Present: 7 -
APPROVE AGENDA
On motion of Councilmember Maxwell, seconded by Councilmember Bredefeld, the Agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Perea, Karbassi, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and Esparza6 - No: Arias1 -
ID 24-1698 Notice of Special Meeting - Signed
OPEN SESSION
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December 13, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Darren Rose, Corine Demetreos, Walter Smith, Will Oliver, and Ethan Smith.
ID 24-1699 Actions pertaining to a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Fresno and the County of Fresno (Sphere of Influence):
1. Adopt a finding that the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Fresno and the County of Fresno relating to property tax sharing, sales tax sharing, annexation, and development within the City’s sphere of influence is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the common sense exemption in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the Memorandum of Understanding will have a significant effect on the environment pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines; and
2. Approve a Memorandum of Understanding substantially in the form attached between the City of Fresno and the County of Fresno relating to property tax sharing, sales tax sharing, annexation, and development within the City’s sphere of influence.
Council discussion included: expressions of gratitude toward the ad hoc committee, City staffers, county supervisors, and the mayor's administration; the need for increased housing construction across income levels; clarification that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) does not approve any development, including the Southeast Development Area (SEDA); how the MOU increases revenue for essential City services; the challenges and complexities of reaching an agreement; discussions of development standards and fire transition fees; the importance of updating the tax revenue-sharing agreement to reflect current City needs; the definition and application of "substantially developed" land; the annexation of county islands and conditions for initiation; fire district fees; concerns about the timing and transparency of the meeting notice; compliance with Brown Act and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) regulations; whether there was a financial emergency or critical reason to approve the agreement immediately; concerns about the short notice for Councilmembers and the public to review the document; the impact on development projects; an explanation of the 10-year property tax payment to the Fresno County Fire Protection District under the current agreement; the property tax revenue splits, and a breakdown of tax rate adjustments for new annexations in specific areas; financial incentives for expediting development in SEDA; the County’s role in rezoning for high-density City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2
December 13, 2024City Council Meeting Minutes
development; the financial feasibility of expanding the city eastward, and potential public subsidies for developers; and a comparison of the revenue generated versus potential infrastructure costs.
On motion of President Perea, seconded by Vice President Karbassi, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Perea, Karbassi, Maxwell, Chavez, Bredefeld and Esparza6 - No: Arias1 -
ADJOURNMENT
The Council meeting adjourned from open session at 4:43 P.M.
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the January 9, 2025, regular meeting.
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