From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 5:36:45 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
Juana Garcia submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: This is inhumane, we demand real solutions, not just more police and punishment.
Criminalizing our most vulnerable communities is NOT right.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 10:50:00 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
Jamie ZweiflerKatz submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: Criminalizing homelessness does nothing but empower law enforcement to harass and arrest our neighbors.This will not prevent people for experiencing homelessness. You cannot arrest your way out of this. Do better.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 10:54:40 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
Kimberly Sanchez submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: The proposed amendments to the already inhumane enforcement of the ordinance prohibiting camping in public places increases harms to our unhoused residents. Arrests, fines, and destruction of these residents' personal property sets back individuals in the process of obtaining permanent housing. Please reject these proposed amendments and work to protect our unhoused residents of Fresno.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
council only cares about the wealthy. How shameful.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 11:46:03 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
Emilee Vang submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: This is utterly inhumane. These are human beings with equal rights and dignity, instead of incriminating these people we need to strategize ways to uplift and care for them.
Sending struggling individuals to prison/jail does not rid of the underlying issue of homelessness which holds multiple facets.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 11:48:13 PM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
Juliann V submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: Why is it that we�€™re criminalizing people who are trying to survive in this horrendous economy? Instead of wasting money putting these harmless individuals in jail, you should be allocating money to resources that these individuals can benefit from. It starts with trust. Clearly, the council LACKS this kind of trust and humility amongst the community.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 5:41:15 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
Natalie Jahanbani submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: People existing in public places should not be illegal. Until our community has a housing first and wrap around approach to taking care of some of our most vulnerable, no person should be punished for living outside of a residence. I oppose this measure wholly. I take no pride in living in Fresno when our leaders punish others for their misfortune.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 7:47:48 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
Glory Warner submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: Wow, the heartlessness is so sad. Can we just take care of people instead of criminalize them?
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 8:35:42 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
KATHRYN B submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: protect our communities.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From:
To:
Subject: [BULK] New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 8:56:13 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
City of Fresno
New eComment for City Council on 2025-11-20
9:00 AM - Regular Meeting
ACLU NorCal submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: City Council on 2025-11-20 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting Item: 2.-B. ID 25-1571 Actions pertaining to the amendment of various ordinances: 1. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 31 Section 9-3104 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating unlawful possession and abandonment of carts 2. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Chapter 9 Article 25 Section 9-2507 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to exposure of minors to tobacco products 3. BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places 4. BILL - (For Introduction) -Adding Chapter 9, Article 37 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to unauthorized possession and use of a City, an Authorized Cart/Bin Collection Agent, or Authorized Roll-Off Collector owned trash containers 5. BILL - (For Introduction) - Adding Chapter 9, Article 38 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to criminal prosecution of wage theft eComment: ACLU NorCal writes regarding constitutional concerns around the City�€™s agendized proposed changes to Sections 10-2101. The amendments include a prohibition on the (1) �€œstoring�€ or �€œplacing�€ �€œmaterial intended or may be used for shelter or bedding �€ and (2) �€œloiter[ing] and stand[indg]�€ �€ in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with the free passage of pedestrians.�€ The changes also purport to empower the City to seek abatement orders. Due process requires that laws must not be vague, as it prevents compliance and leads to discriminatory enforcement. Desertrain v. City of Los Angeles, 754 F. 3d 1147 (9th Cir. 2014). Anti-loitering laws risk criminalizing innocent behavior or violating individuals�€™ rights, like the right to travel. See City of Chicago v. Morales (1999) 527 U.S. 41, 53. Nuisance orders must be limited. People v. Padilla-Martel (2022) 78 Cal.App.5th 139 is particularly instructive. �€œAny injunctive relief in these cases . . . must be tailored to addressing the public nuisance or unlawful business practice the trial court finds defendants have engaged in and should not restrict defendants�€™ lawful activities unless the City firmly establishes facts showing that the proposed restrictions are necessary to prevent the
unlawful conduct at issue.�€ �€œIt goes without saying that human beings do not constitute nuisances in themselves,�€ (Id. at pp. 153-54.) but the City �€™s amendments risk just that.
View and Analyze eComments
This email was sent from https://fresno.granicusideas.com.
Unsubscribe from future mailings
From: John Do
To: Clerk
Subject: Public Comment: Item 2.-B(3) BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 8:58:12 AM
Attachments: image001.png
ACLU Anti Camping Loitering Frenso.pdf
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Please see the attached. Thank you.
JOHN THOMAS H. DO
SENIOR ATTORNEY
APPEALS AND SPECIAL LITIGATION
39 DRUMM ST., SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111
415-293-6333 | [email protected] | HE/HIM
November 19, 2025
Submitted Via E-mail ([email protected]) and eComment
Fresno City Council
Re: Item 2.-B(3) BILL - (For Introduction) - Amending Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the prohibition of camping in public places
Dear Fresno City Council:
The ACLU of Northern California writes regarding constitutional concerns around the City’s agendized proposed changes to Sections 10-2101 of the Fresno Municipal Code “relating to the prohibition of camping in public places.” The amendments include a prohibition on the (1) “storing” or “placing” “material intended or may be used for shelter or bedding ” and (2) “loiter[ing] and stand[indg]” ”in such a manner as to obstruct or interfere with the free passage of pedestrians.” The changes also purport to empower the City to seek abatement orders.
Due process requires that laws must not be vague, as it prevents compliance and leads to discriminatory enforcement. Desertrain v. City of Los Angeles, 754 F. 3d 1147 (9th Cir. 2014).
Anti-loitering laws risk criminalizing innocent behavior or violating individuals’ rights, like the right to travel. See City of Chicago v. Morales (1999) 527 U.S. 41, 53. Nuisance orders must be limited. People v. Padilla-Martel (2022) 78 Cal.App.5th 139 is particularly instructive. “Any injunctive relief in these cases . . . must be tailored to addressing the public nuisance or unlawful business practice the trial court finds defendants have engaged in and should not restrict defendants’ lawful activities unless the City firmly establishes facts showing that the proposed restrictions are necessary to prevent the unlawful conduct at issue.”
“It goes without saying that human beings do not constitute nuisances in themselves,” (Id. at pp. 153-54.) but the City’s amendments risk just that.
Regards
a . | or Attorney
Appeals and Special Litigation| ACLU Foundation of Northern California 415-293-6333 | [email protected]
From: Brandi Nuse-Villegas
To: Clerk
Subject: Public comment 2-B, no camping ordinance amendments Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 11:19:18 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Council,
I ask that you reject the bill proposing the amendments to the no camping ordinance on 2-B.
It is not a solution that benefits our community, but another impediment and millstone around the neck of those who are already facing challenges to permanent housing. It doesn’t make sense that when people have no viable place to go and must resort to being on public land, they should be prohibited from trying to exist and arrested, fined, and jailed for it.
Yes, there needs to be solutions and a missing component that the city needs to prioritize is to center those with lived experience at the table, work towards making that happen and together assess and work towards sustainable, dignifying solutions. Those who have experience with being unsheltered in Fresno and navigating the system need to be at the center of policy, planning, and evaluation.
The current ordinance has shown to not be a solution but further harm and a hindrance to sustainable outcomes. This ordinance would make it worse.
Arrests add records that are deterrents to housing. One man who recently lost his housing related the experience of many that he had never had any arrest record until he was arrested under the ordinance. It risks job loss, as there are those with jobs, but can’t afford housing. It disrupts appointments and other plans in the housing process. HART also throws away all belongings, so that vital documents, phones, possessions are lost.
This month, a woman with health issues and those who witnessed, said she had just gotten her antibiotic prescription from her caseworker in the morning when HART arrested her based on the ordinance. They took off her backpack with her essentials, threw it in the crusher and detained her. She has been trying to get into housing.
The “Standing and loitering” amendment regarding those impeding pedestrian traffic is subjective and we already have reports from people who were arrested for simply standing, not actively hindering someone from passing, and could have moved, as part of the ordinance, including an older man with a walker.
Another elderly man standing with a walker was asked if he wanted to go into drug treatment last year and said no, because he didn’t need it and didn’t know he would otherwise be arrested. Usually, this service isn’t offered at all and no other services are offered.
Another woman, and several others, shared that she was arrested while waiting outside of the recycling center for it to open and told it was because she was “camping.” This was not camping or loitering, but doing what many people do without risk of arrest. She worried, while in custody, about her dog that was just left behind, as FPD does not make accommodations for pets because Fresno Animal Center cannot take them.
The council should be concerned about how HART applies this ordinance, as these are examples of cases not covered by the existing ordinance have been arrested and HART has consistently violated the rights of those they displace.
As well, people have reported that they weren’t dwelling on the streets, but visiting someone in a public place and were arrested, including a woman who was living in a shelter. Being jailed meant potentially losing her shelter space, but also shows that, as this ordinance does not specify that it targets those who are unsheltered, it is the intention explicitly voiced by the sponsors, and resulted in HART recognizing her as someone they may have encountered in their sweeps and detained her. The woman I referenced who lost her medications stated that a friend bringing them food was arrested under the ban, though not unsheltered.
The inclusion of bedding and shelter supplies in the description of “camping,” further shows the cruelty and lack of sense for our community. We have just experienced a storm that threatens the health of those unsheltered and are moving into winter weather that results in deaths of those who are not fortified and protected from the cold. People need to have something to protect themselves and including this as a prohibition would further show that the city is not prioritizing the safety and well being of some of their most vulnerable residents.
Instead, we need to address that HART throws these items away and does displacements during storm weather, as I witnessed this Saturday night and Monday.
I have heard the statement that we have to get tough so people will do what they need to do to get off the streets. That denies the reality that some many people have done what they could but they haven’t found anything they could afford or that their caseworkers haven’t been able to get them into housing or that some other roadblocks exist. It is disingenuous and untrue.
We know we have a shortage of low income affordable housing. We have the Housing Element showing this. Despite that some of our councilmembers and leaders have said that people are “refusing service,” our service providers have disputed this, as MAPs has long lines everyday,
people have confirmed with
outreach workers multiple times that they want shelter/housing, and, most importantly, people are saying themselves that they want and have sought services and housing. HART makes it difficult, as they throw away their IDs, documents, and living essentials. Unrealistic time limits to get permanent housing because of the lack of housing (Which Doreen Ely confirmed to me that there is no housing available), means people in the shelters end up back out on the streets with nowhere to go demoralized, as many have told me, by the experience of finally having shelter and then having to survive outdoors again.
Note that even when offered to be taken to CAPP, many were simply put on a list and had to go back on the streets and wait for an opening.
Our community members have told you they have nowhere viable to go.
Being on public property should not be a crime.
And, again, we need to listen to those with lived experiences for solutions.
From: on behalf of Zahra
To: Clerk
Subject: 11/20 Vote No on No Camping Ordinance
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2025 11:40:06 AM
External Email: Use caution with links and attachments
Dear Fresno City Council Members,
As a resident of Fresno, I ask the council not to pass item 2-B, The Sit, Lie, Sleep, and Camp ordinance. This is the moment to make big, bold investments in housing, supportive programs, and tenant protections — not criminalize community members who are in a tough moment!
Right now, our unhoused community in Fresno not only has to worry about their personal safety as they navigate the streets, but also where they will be able to rest their heads at night. This concern has become even more urgent with the recent shutdowns of Fresno shelters. On top of facing cold weather, many now must grapple with the fear of being incarcerated simply for “camping” - which now includes standing - in areas labeled as prohibited.
Villainizing our unhoused community for standing, resting, or merely existing in public spaces is not only shameful, it escalates situations in moments when they need support from our community and our leaders the most.
More restrictive language, fines, and punitive approaches are not the answer. What our unhoused community needs are additional housing options, access to mental health services, and leadership grounded in compassion and dignity.
This ordinance continues to be out of touch with the needs of working families and the struggles we face.
It’s time for the City of Fresno to enact solutions that care for our community, not criminalize it. I strongly urge the council not to pass this ordinance.
Sincerely,
Zahra Marin
Fresno,
93722-5168