2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
www.fresno.gov
City of Fresno
Meeting Minutes
City Council
President - Mike Karbassi
Vice President - Miguel Angel Arias
Councilmembers:
Annalisa Perea, Tyler Maxwell, Brandon Vang,
Nick Richardson, Nelson Esparza
City Manager - Georgeanne A. White
City Attorney - Andrew Janz
City Clerk - Todd Stermer, MMC
9:00 AM Council ChambersMonday, June 2, 2025
Budget Hearings - Commencing June 2, 2025, budget hearings will be considered one continuous meeting.
The City Council met for budget hearings in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on June 2, 2024, at 9:00 A.M.
9:11 A.M. ROLL CALL
Council President Mike Karbassi
Vice President Miguel Angel Arias
Councilmember Annalisa Perea
Councilmember Tyler Maxwell
Councilmember Brandon Vang
Councilmember Nick Richardson
Councilmember Nelson Esparza
Present: 7 -
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Mayor Dyer led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE AGENDA
On motion of Vice President Arias, seconded by Councilmember Perea, the Agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Karbassi, Arias, Perea, Maxwell, Vang, Richardson and Esparza
7 -
Monday, June 2, 2025 - 9:00 A.M.
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Council President Karbassi announced public comment would be taken at the beginning of each budget hearing day and read through the budget hearing procedures.
Upon call, no members of the public addressed Council.
ID 25-705 General Fund Overview
Finance Assistant Director Chinevere presented an overview of the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-706 General Services Department
Director Barr presented the General Services Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-707 Information Services Department
Director Horn presented the Information Services Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-708 Finance Department
Controller Danisi presented a brief overview of the Finance Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-709 Airports Department
Director Thompson presented the Airports Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-710 Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2
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Director Aguirre presented the PARCS Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
Council Motions Made June 2, 2025
Councilmember Perea motioned (#1) to set aside $10,000 for trolley rentals for City Council members. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. (General Services)
Council President Karbassi motioned (#2) any dollars saved through fleet reductions in City Attorney's Office will go to fund the criminal prosecution and special assignments team as an ongoing funding source.
Councilmember Perea seconded the motion.(City Attorney) Councilmember Vang motioned (#3) amount to be determined and source to be determined; motion to add an additional TV screen in Council Chambers behind the speaker. Council President Karbassi seconded the motion. (Information Services)
Councilmember Maxwell motioned (#4) to allocate $1,000,000 to Storyland and Playland for ADA improvements. Vice President Arias seconded the motion. (PARCS)
Vice President Arias motioned (#5) to allocate $150,000 to the Arts Council to further outreach and administration of the arts and cultured funds under Measure "P". Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. (PARCS) Council Requests for Information Made June 2, 2025
Councilmember Maxwell line item request for "Other Revenues/Charges" Sources totaling $122.6 million from Mayor's presentation. (Mayor & City Manager's Office)
Councilmember Maxwell/Vice President Arias requested Master list of all parcels, all property owned by the City of Fresno and the value of each if they are assessed. On 6/2/2025 Vice President Arias requested the following: Provide list of properties owned by the City, vacant or not, City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3
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identifying which department is responsible for managing the property, and if there is an active lease. (Personnel Services; General Services) Councilmember Maxwell requested a List of all property purchased with Measure "P" Dollars that are yet to be developed. (PARCS) Councilmember Maxwell requested a master list of all properties that the City leases: How much are they costing us, what is the square footage, how many people are working inside, and what departments are they? (General Services)
Vice President Arias requested the last five years of the vacancy rates for Police Department and Fire Department including what the current vacancy rate is for both Departments; as well as their overtime expenditures for each of the last five years and where we are to date. Regardless if it is general fund or not. (Fire, Police)
Vice President Arias requested where are we with all of the licenses that have been awarded? How many are operational? When do we expect the rest to come online? (Planning & Development)
Vice President Arias requested How much housing funds do we have? Detailing funds that have been received, funds that already been allocated to projects, and unallocated funds. (Planning & Development) Vice President Arias requested from FAX last five years of incidents as it relates to safety matters and the current rate of incidents. What is the funding source for the four new officers? (FAX, Police) Vice President Arias requested what is the delta of keeping the tree trimming at a 10-year cycle? What is the revenue source for the tree trimming? (Public Works)
Vice President Arias requested update on the loss of funding that Advance Peace has had, what the mental health shift is going to do in terms of adding funds, and what the potential is for them to get additional funds to replace it? Are the federal funds lost or frozen at this point in time? City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4
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(PARCS)
Councilmember Richardson would like a line item on the expense for the four PD positions in FAX. (Finance)
Councilmember Richardson would like the lease length and interest rate on the PD helicopter. (Finance)
Councilmember Maxwell requested:
1: For FY25 (Year-to-Date):
- How many new trees were planted in areas where no trees previously existed (i.e., net new canopy expansion)?
- How many dead or hazardous trees were removed?
- Of the dead trees removed, how many were replaced with new plantings in the same or nearby areas (assuming the location had suitable irrigation and conditions for replacement)?
- What is the total number of net new trees planted in FY25 (i.e., total new plantings minus total removals)?
2: For FY26 (Budget Allocations):
- What is the total amount of funding and funding source allocated specifically for new tree plantings (across all departments and funding sources)?
- What is the total amount of funding allocated specifically for replacing dead or removed trees, list funding sources?
3: Projections for FY26 (Based on Current Trends):
- Using either the Dudek Urban Forest Management Plan’s baseline estimate of approximately 1,600 tree losses per year, or the actual number of dead trees removed in FY25, what is the City’s anticipated net new tree count for FY26? (Public Works)
Councilmember Maxwell requested clarification and confirmation regarding the individuals and groups who are currently eligible to ride Fresno Area Express (FAX) services under free, subsidized (due to a third-party contract), or reduced fare arrangements for FY26.
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Specifically, could you please provide the following details:
1: Free Riders
- A list of all individuals or groups who are eligible to ride FAX services (fixed-route or otherwise) at no charge.
- Please include details such as age groups, student categories, or special programs that grant free access.
2: Subsidized Riders (Covered by Contract or Third-Party Agreement) - A list of any organizations or agencies that hold contracts or agreements with FAX that subsidize or fully cover the cost of rides for eligible individuals (e.g., Fresno State, State Center Community College District, Fresno Unified, CTSA/FEOC).
- Please include the specific populations served under each contract (e.g., seniors, developmentally disabled, veterans, Head Start families) and the funding sources or mechanisms involved.
3: Reduced Fare Riders
- A summary of the categories of riders who are eligible for reduced or discounted fares (e.g., seniors, individuals with disabilities, veterans, Medicare cardholders, low-income groups) and the current reduced fare rates.
Based on an initial analysis of the budget I believe I have gathered most of the categories listed, but wanted to seek clarification. (FAX) Councilmember Maxwell requested information regarding the Youth Sports Fee Waiver Program for budgeting and program tracking purposes:
1: FY26 Allocated or Deferred Revenue:
- Please provide the total amount of funds allocated or deferred revenue expected for the Youth Sports Fee Waiver Program in FY26. 2: Eligible Sports in FY26:
- Please provide a list of which sports and programs will be eligible under the Youth Sports Fee Waiver Program in FY26.
3: FY25 Program Utilization:
- Please provide the total number of youth participants who were able to utilize the Youth Sports Fee Waiver Program in FY25. (PARCS) City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6
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Vice President Arias requested Overview of how deficit grew from 20 million to 50 million, general idea of how we got from deficit to balanced budget. (General City Purpose)
Vice President Arias requested what is the status of the card rooms being fully activated? (General City Purpose)
Vice President Arias requested what is the average percentage of General Fund allocated to PERS historically? (General City Purpose) Councilmember Vang, Vice President Arias, Councilmember Perea requested a breakdown of room tax by category ie: Short term rentals (Air bnb and VRBO), hotels, and motels. (Finance)
Councilmember Esparza, Councilmember Perea requested what are the dates of the rest of the cannabis locations opening? What would revenue be if only 13 were operating? Can department provide what percentage increase is expected per new Cannabis location? (Planning & Development) Councilmember Perea requested please confirm estimate for FY 2026 Community Benefit Fund. (General City Purpose)
Vice President Arias requested what process it takes to claw back hotel / motel for the Visitor Bureau. (City Attorney)
Councilmember Maxwell requested Fresno TOT Rate Compared to other large CA cities. (Finance)
Council President Karbassi requested historical info on last 3 years of sales tax revenue and breakdown by industry type, high level. (General City Purpose)
Council President Karbassi requested Is there any opportunity to revisit franchise fees for potential revenue? (Finance)
Councilmember Vang requested what is the feasibility/analysis of using the Trolley from other parts of town to the fairgrounds for the first day, full two City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 7
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weeks, last day? (General Services)
Vice President Arias, Councilmember Esparza requested list of events and ridership of Trolley in last year including those that were chartered and breakdown by day. (General Services)
Vice President Arias requested status and estimated cost, if available, of both phases for Santa Fe depot. Provide information on the settlement for the Santa Fe Depot. Confirm accessibility of the ADA entrances on Tulare street. Status of secondary Santa Fe Depot building currently used as City Storage. (General Services)
Council President Karbassi requested a status of the first floor café at City Hall and a list of options for getting it operational in FY 2026. Please include options for automated services, including beverages, self-serve stations, automated machines, and more. (General Services) Council President Karbassi requested information for how many vehicles in the City Attorney’s Office department meet the criteria for fleet reduction, how much is saved per vehicle, the total potential vehicle savings, etc. Also requesting that General Services meet with the CAO to present a proposed fleet reduction plan with maximum savings and minimal service impacts. (General Services)
Vice President Arias requested what is disclosable on delinquent Business Tax accounts, what can we share publicly? (City Attorney) Councilmember Maxwell requested Status update on mitigation program with the federal government, how much we have in there currently, how much we are expected to get, how many houses do we have in the pipeline for design, construction, and how many houses in the eligible area have yet to receive assistance. (Airports)
Councilmember Perea, Councilmember Richardson Cost estimate for an external pod for a Mother's Room and a cost estimate for adult changing tables. (Airports)
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Vice President Arias, Councilmember Maxwell requested:
1. Explanation of how the department covered the 5 million reduction to the General Fund
2. Were any services impacted?
3. Breakdown of the cost savings from the transition of Landscape and Irrigation from DPW to PARCS
4. Council Member Maxwell further requests explanation of the indirect cost savings associated with the transition from DPW to PARCS (PARCS) Councilmember Maxwell requested when the last time that we allocated money from the COF to the Storyland non-profit, how much, and what for? (PARCS)
Councilmember Vang requested which parts of parks fall under CFDs? (Public Works)
Vice President Arias requested please provide a clear trim cycle for the PARCS department for every tree in the PARCS inventory and the cost, also a plan for replacement and adding of additional trees. (PARCS) Vice President Arias requested provide a detailed PowerPoint of all parks similar to the Parks Recreation and Arts Commission presentation and include park ranger calls. (PARCS)
Vice President Arias requested provide staff responses to all motions made by PRAC. (PARCS)
Councilmember Maxwell requested Unallocated Measure P funds by expenditure category. (PARCS)
Councilmember Esparza requested estimates for bathroom and new equipment at Carozza park. (PARCS)
Councilmember Esparza requested updates on park rangers program, how many rangers there are currently, how they have they alleviated calls for service at our City parks. (PARCS)
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Council President Karbassi requested information about the Pinedale Community Center with revised estimates for ongoing improvements. (PARCS)
Council President Karbassi requested information about the current facilities and programming at Dickey Park and future plans, including expansion. (PARCS)
Council President Karbassi requested a timeline update on the installation of multiuse courts (including pickleball) at Logan Park. (PARCS) Council President Karbassi requested an evaluation of Stallion Park in Council District 2. (I have requested this from PARCS multiple times in the past, so hopefully they can build off that). I would also like estimates for the replacement of the playground woodchips to soft fall surfacing. (PARCS) Council President Karbassi requested does the Administration have contingency plans for AB 942 or any potential future state legislation that may eliminate local government credits and savings for solar projects? (Public Works)
Council President Karbassi requested background information on the 3 new positions being added to Retirement. What will the job duties be, pay range, what is their need, etc? (Retirement)
Council President Karbassi requested is the City of Fresno still paying HUD for misuse of CDBG dollars? (Planning & Development)
Council President Karbassi requested information regarding Fresno Animal Center. Are there any plans to increase capacity and has any consideration been given to using modular buildings as a cost-effective option? (Animal Center)
Council President Karbassi requested if Measure C is not renewed, what will be the impact to our finances and will any City of Fresno jobs be eliminated? Are any projects funded based on future revenues through an extension of Measure "C"? (Public Works)
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Council President Karbassi requested why is $1,000,000 allocated in the Mayor’s proposed budget for a residential infill program? What has been our return on investment? (Public Works)
Council President Karbassi requested a list of Enterprise Fund departments that operate on a deficit and by how much, over the last 5 years. (General City Purpose)
Council President Karbassi requested an estimate for design services for a park at Veterans Blvd at Barstow. This was a recent acquisition, funded in the FY 2025 budget. (PARCS)
Council President Karbassi requested The proposed budget mentioned a payment for 30 additional FPD vehicles in FY 2027. How much will that payment be and what is the source for payment? (Police) Council President Karbassi requested an estimate for LT phasing at Van Ness and Bullard avenues. (Public Works)
Council President Karbassi requested a list of the $5.3 million in unfunded mandates, as referenced in the proposed budget. (General City Purpose) Council President Karbassi requested an estimate for corridor maintenance and one-time improvements to the corridor along Marks Avenue from Sierra to Shaw avenues. Please include both the City and County portions and estimates for each portion. (Public Works)
Council President Karbassi requested a breakdown of franchise fee revenue by source. (General City Purpose)
Council President Karbassi requested a breakdown of sales tax revues by source, e.g. auto dealerships, Amazon, etc. as a Sales Tax Revenues by Source percentage of revenue for the last 5 years. (General City Purpose) Council President Karbassi requested How much of the City’s overall budget is exclusively for personnel costs (salaries, benefits, etc) and the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 11
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percentage of the General Fund and Enterprise Fund that is personnel related. (General City Purpose)
ADJOURNMENT
City Council recessed the June 2, 2025, Budget Hearings at 4:51 P.M. to be resumed Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 9:00 A.M.
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the June 19, 2025, regular meeting.
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