2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
www.fresno.gov
City of Fresno
Meeting Minutes
City Council
President - Mike Karbassi
Vice President - Nelson Esparza
Councilmembers:
Annalisa Perea, Miguel Angel Arias, Tyler Maxwell,
Brandon Vang, Nick Richardson
City Manager - Georgeanne A. White
City Attorney - Andrew Janz
Interim City Clerk - Amy K. Aller
10:15 AM Council ChambersTuesday, February 10, 2026
Special Meeting
The City Council met in special session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the date and time above written.
10:30 A.M. ROLL CALL
Councilmember Arias joined the meeting at 10:49 A.M.
Council President Mike Karbassi
Vice President Nelson Esparza
Councilmember Annalisa Perea
Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias
Councilmember Tyler Maxwell
Councilmember Brandon Vang
Councilmember Nick Richardson
Present: 7 -
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Councilmember Richardson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE AGENDA
On motion of Councilmember Maxwell, seconded by Councilmember Perea, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Karbassi, Esparza, Perea, Maxwell, Vang and Richardson6 -
Absent: Arias1 -
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February 10, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
ID 26-180 Notice of Special Meeting - Signed
CLOSED SESSION
Upon call, for public comment the following members of the public addressed Council: Ashley, Alicia Rodriguez, Erin Burd, Dez Martinez, and Nikki Real.
During open session, City Attorney Janz announced each of the items that would be discussed in closed session.
Council withdrew to closed session at 10:49 A.M.
Council President Karbassi read the following statement: These are completely my own comments. Fresno Unified School District faces budget deficits for the upcoming school year. The district has stated that their focus when faced with these cuts is to prioritize student outcomes. As a City Council President, it is important to me that our students in Fresno are given the best educational opportunities. This is why I strongly recommend the district should not balance their budget by freezing wages on the lowest paid employees in our district. I'm talking about our classified employees.
Classified employees ensure that Fresno students get to school, have safe and healthy schools, and are fed every day. Without classified employees Fresno Unified School District could not operate, and these workers deserve respect and dignity because it's their jobs that provide for the care of the children of our community. And that is my statement on that matter.
Council President Karbassi wished his father and Council Assistant Andrew Kloose a happy birthday.
A. ID 26-177 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POTENTIAL LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2)
Significant Exposure to Litigation
1 potential case
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open session announcements for this item.
DISCUSSED
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February 10, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
B. ID 26-178 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POTENTIAL LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2)
Significant Exposure to Litigation
1 potential case
The above item was discussed in closed session. There were no open session announcements for this item.
DISCUSSED
C. ID 26-179 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-POTENTIAL LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2)
Significant Exposure to Litigation
1 potential case
The above item was discussed in closed session. City Attorney Janz announced: The Council voted 5–0 in favor, with Councilmembers Karbassi, Arias, Vang, Richardson, and Esparza voting affirmatively. Councilmembers Perea and Maxwell were absent. The Council directed the City Attorney to draft a resolution supporting the Health and Welfare Trust to ensure that the contract dispute between Community and Blue Shield is resolved quickly and favorably for City employees, including a retroactive provision. The resolution is to be prepared for the next meeting.
DISCUSSED
ADJOURNMENT
The Council meeting adjourned from open closed session at 12:49 A.M.
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the February 19, 2026, regular meeting
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