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 ChambersTuesday, June 3, 2025
Budget Hearings - Continued from June 2, 2025.
The City Council met for resumed budget hearings in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on June 3, 2024, at 9:00 A.M.
9:04 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
Vice President Arias led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE AGENDA
The agenda for the budget hearing was approved at the start of the meeting on June 2, 2025.
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 9:00 A.M.
Council President Karbassi announced the budget process.
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Jovana City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1
June 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Morales, Galvia Juarez, Juana Meza, and Brandi N.
ID 25-711 Capital Projects Department
Interim Director Assistant City Manager Mascia presented the Capital Projects Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-712 Economic Development Department
Director Long, and Assistant Director Trevino presented the Economic Development Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-713 Planning and Development Department
Director Clark presented the Planning and Development Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-714 Public Works Department
Director Mozier presented the Public Works Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-715 Department of Transportation / FAX
Director Barfield presented the Department of Transportation / FAX budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
ID 25-716 Animal Center Department
Director Torres presented the Animal Center Department budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2
June 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Motions Made June 3, 2025
Councilmember Vang motioned (#6) to add additional dollars to the design, dollars to be determined, source to be determined, of the 49-acre park and use available acres to add a gymnasium. Vice President Arias seconded the motion. (Capital Projects)
Councilmember Maxwell motioned (#7) An additional $50,000 from Public Work's funds specifically for D4. Council President Karbassi seconded the motion. (Public Works)
Councilmember Maxwell motioned (#8) $25,000 to finish the shop beautification project that was started last year. Vice President Arias seconded the motion. (Public Works)
Councilmember Maxwell motioned (#9) $300,000 for new district 4 beautification (median island projects). Council President Karbassi seconded the motion. (Public Works)
Councilmember Richardson motioned (#10) for $25,000 directly which would be matched with D6 funds to go specifically into safety measures to be used at the intersection of Friant and Shepard. Councilmember Vang seconded the motion. (Public Works)
Vice President Arias motioned (#11) for $150,000 to the Animal Center for the Department budget. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. (Animal Center)
Council Requests for Information Made June 3, 2025
Councilmember Richardson is interested in knowing how much it would cost to remove all of the tree stumps in Woodward Park. (Public Works) Council President Karbassi requested an answer, as best as possible given the limited information. If CEQA requirements are rolled back pursuant to the passage of AB 609 and SB 607, what impact will that have to our tax base over the next few years? Will that permit the Costco proposed in Council District 2 to move forward? Are there any other employment City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3
June 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
producing projects impacted by CEQA lawsuits or housing subdivisions that are on hold, which could benefit from the passage of the above referenced bills? How would this impact SEDA? Will this allow the City to prevail on the recent appellate court ruling on the PEIR (would the Council be able to challenge the court ruling given the change in law or request a reconsideration by the Courts)? (Planning & Development) Councilmember Esparza requested a list of District 7 PARCS that need construction funding, or have a funding gap, with confirmation about whether the funding is in the Mayor's proposed budget for FY 2026. (PARCS)
Council President Karbassi requested information on the history of the Planning and Development Department related to its funding. Specifically, when the department was an enterprise and general fund department. What is the process to change its current structure to an enterprise department? (Planning & Development)
Vice President Arias requested the process for identifying new parks locations. (PARCS)
Councilmember Esparza requested provide Hiring Status of ISD Salesforce Position. (Personnel Services)
Vice President Arias requested what is the status of the new Starbucks being built in Southwest Fresno (Martin Luther King Ave / Church Ave). (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested a list of current CDBG projects in District 5. (Planning & Development)
Vice President Arias requested what is the lease agreement for the Convention Center and Pardini’s? What do they call for in terms of the split? What do they keep? How much is Ace allowed to charge for parking, and how much are we capturing as the City? What is the split? (Planning & Development)
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4
June 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Maxwell requested what is the estimated cost for what it would take to pave year-round? (Public Works)
Councilmember Maxwell requested the process and cost to clean median and buffer islands more frequently. What would it cost to bring cleanings up to a 2-month cycle versus a 3-month cycle. (Public Works) Councilmember Vang requested provide feasibility of tree planting on the island median on Clovis Ave between California Ave and Butler Ave. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested provide feasibility of reducing two lanes to one lane on California Ave from Fowler Ave to Clovis Ave. (Public Works) Councilmember Esparza requested staff provide a memo stating what streets make up the 69.1 miles of street overlay and paving projects. (Public Works)
Councilmember Esparza requested Provide a memo with cost estimates for the following projects:
1. Construction of left turn phasing at the Van Ness and Clinton intersection.
2. Construction costs for the repaving of Clinton Avenue from Clovis Avenue to Fowler Avenue.
3. Potential traffic safety improvements with cost estimates for the Olive Avenue and Ninth Street intersection.
4. Construction costs for the installation of speed radar signs and high visibility stop signs, as well as repainting of school pedestrian crosswalks at all schools within District 7. (Public Works)
Councilmember Richardson requested staff provide all traffic studies done within last year/FY25 conducted by Department of Public Works within D6. (Public Works)
Vice President Arias requested staff provide No Neighborhood Left Behind details including costing, how it worked and how could it work now? (Public Works)
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5
June 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Perea requested staff provide current boundary Scrubcan is servicing and which days of the week they are servicing in the Tower District? (Public Works)
Councilmember Esparza requested staff provide a memo on the status of the residential infill program including how many applicants are currently in the queue and how much funding remains in the program. (Public Works) Vice President Arias requested staff provide a list (with costs) of all the lawsuits that the city has settled related to broken sidewalks (as they relate to public infrastructure) for the last 5 years. (Public Works) Vice President Arias requested staff provide a proposal for use of $150,000 in additional funding. (Animal Center)
Vice President Arias requested information on the Transparency Act as it relates to incentives for Veterinarians. (City Attorney) Council President Karbassi requested staff recommendations for software improvements (Accela, Track Management Tool, etc.) to increase the number of permits issued. (Planning & Development)
Council President Karbassi requested an update on efforts to implement an ag land mitigation program. What would be required to implement a program? What would be required to implement essentially a copy of Visalia’s program? (Planning & Development)
Council President Karbassi requested an estimate from DPW to hold an election to create a new, consolidated Community Facilities District in Northwest Fresno. Area to be identified after my office meets with staff to select the most appropriate area. (Public Works)
Council President Karbassi requested a memo regarding the process to complete the full buildout of Veterans Blvd to Grantland. Is the developer required portion the same as the full build out? Can current Measure C funds be used to complete this project? What is the cost required to complete build out? (Public Works)
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6
June 3, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Perea requested estimate the cost of installing a baby changing station in a men's restroom and provide an estimate of how many park restrooms would require installation. (PARCS)
Councilmember Perea requested Estimated construction of $15 million but PARCS suggests having construction done in phases. (PARCS) Councilmember Maxwell requested during his presentation, Director Mozier mentioned that Measure "P" funds have been allocated for major corridor beautification. Our office would like clarification on which specific streets or corridors are scheduled to receive beautification improvements and how Measure P funds are allocated for this purpose in FY26. (Public Works) Council President Karbassi requested what would be the cost estimate to add swings at Logan Park? (Swings that would accommodate kids and adults) (PARCS)
Councilmember Esparza requested a memo on the requested revised estimates for the Pave More Now Program. (Public Works) Councilmember Esparza requested a memo on the maintenance costs for pocket parks in this last year. (PARCS)
Councilmember Esparza requested a memo including various scenarios and timeline on the progress of the City of Fresno Senior Center. (PARCS)
ADJOURNMENT
City Council recessed the June 3, 2025, Budget Hearings at 5:23 P.M. to be resumed Wednesday, June 4, 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.
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 7