2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
www.fresno.gov
City of Fresno
Meeting Minutes
City Council
Council President - Nelson Esparza
Vice President - Tyler Maxwell
Councilmembers:
Annalisa Perea, Mike Karbassi, Miguel Angel Arias,
Brandon Vang,
Nick Richardson
City Manager - Georgeanne A. White
City Attorney - Andrew Janz
Interim City Clerk - Amy K. Aller
9:00 AM Council ChambersMonday, June 8, 2026
Budget Hearings - Commencing June 8, 2026, budget hearings will be considered one continuous
The City Council met for budget hearings in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on June 8, 2026, at 9:00 A.M.
9:14 A.M. ROLL CALL
Vice President Maxwell joined the meeting at 9:16 A.M.
Councilmember Karbassi joined the meeting at 10:50 A.M.
Council President Nelson Esparza
Vice President Tyler Maxwell
Councilmember Annalisa Perea
Councilmember Mike Karbassi
Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias
Councilmember Brandon Vang
Councilmember Nick Richardson
Present: 7 -
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Councilmember Perea led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE AGENDA
On motion of Council President Esparza, seconded by Councilmember Richardson, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Arias, Vang and Richardson6 - City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1
June 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Absent: Karbassi1 -
Monday, June 8, 2026 - 9:00 A.M.
Council President Esparza announced the budget hearing procedures.
ID 26-671 General Fund Overview
Finance Assistant Director Chinevere presented an overview of the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Rosalina Pena, and Ariana.
ID 26-672 General Services Department
Director Barr presented the General Services Department budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
Upon call, no members of the public addressed Council.
ID 26-674 Information Services Department
Director Horn presented the Information Services Department budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Ariana.
ID 26-675 Finance Department
Controller Danisi presented a brief overview of the Finance Department budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
Upon call, no members of the public addressed Council.
ID 26-676 Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department (PARCS)
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Director Aguirre presented the PARCS Department budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Discussion was held between Council and the administration.
Upon call, no members of the public addressed Council.
Council Motions Made June 8, 2026
Council Vice President Maxwell motioned (#1) to pass this resolution as a grant of $3.5 million to First Five of California to generate child care within the city. Councilmember Perea seconded the motion. (Special Meeting) (PARCS)
Councilmember Karbassi motioned (#2) to amend the terms of use for the existing funding that has been carried over for multiple years toward a new park site in Pinedale to include the language "or park sites west of Hwy 99".
Councilmember Perea seconded the motion. (PARCS)
Councilmember Karbassi motioned (#3) to allocate $200,000 from the Riverside Golf Course Capital Fund to expanding facilities and programming for the First Tee youth development program nonprofit at our city's municipal golf course. Councilmember Maxwell seconded the motion. (PARCS) Councilmember Karbassi motioned (#4) to allocate $9,000 for Pathway To Art program at the Highway City Community Center. Funds from Council District 2 operating budget. Vice President Maxwell seconded the motion. (PARCS)
Councilmember Karbassi motioned (#5) to allocate $10,000 for the Sweet Program at the West Fresno Family Resource Center. Funds to be determined. Council President Esparza seconded the motion. (PARCS) Councilmember Karbassi motioned (#6) to allocate $90,000 for the Hmong Community Garden Project with The Fresno Center. Councilmember Perea seconded the motion. (PARCS)
Councilmember Vang motioned (#7) to allocate $750,000 for capital improvements to the city owned Boys and Girls Club gymnasium, with funds designated for upgrades to the HVAC system, plumbing, structural roofing, and security. Seconded by Vice President Maxwell. (PARCS) City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3
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Council President Esparza motioned (#8) $1,600,000 for construction of a splash pad at Manchester Park. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion. (PARCS)
Council President Esparza motioned (#9) $650,000 for construction of a skate park amenity at Manchester Park. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion. (PARCS)
Council Requests for Information Made June 8, 2026
Councilmember Arias requested what are the Tower Theater’s costs for maintenance from the general fund? (General City Purpose) Council President Esparza requested a memo detailing the Trolley charter service Fees. (General Services)
Councilmember Arias requested provide the number of vehicles, the age of the vehicles, and the mileage by department. (General Services) Councilmember Karbassi requested an update on memo regarding capital improvement for a driving range which could bring in revenue at Riverside golf course. (General Services)
Councilmember Karbassi requested information on usage of electric charging stations at the MSC and City Hall and adjacent parking lots (to include the FAX yard, who will receive this same RFI). I would like to evaluate a general use/downtime estimate to project potential revenue opportunities. (General Services)
Councilmember Karbassi requested background information on the public elevator at Chukchansi Park. How far is the unit in its service life? Are there any plans to upgrade the unit? (General Services)
Councilmember Arias requested a memo on the amount of water and electricity usage that data centers require. (Information Services) Councilmember Arias requested a comprehensive list of all approved AI platforms, any third-party AI tools used by contractors, and current City expenditures related to AI services and software. (Information Services) Councilmember Arias requested how long is our contract good for with Tyler? What's been the cost to switch from Tyler for PeopleSoft? Provide City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4
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date that Contract was amended. (Information Services)
Councilmember Vang requested an assessment of Play Structures. When were they first installed/replaced? Mosqueda, Sunnyside, and Pilibos Park.
Cost of adding shade structures to the following playground structures at:
Mosqueda, Sunnyside, and Pilibos Park. (PARCS)
Councilmember Vang requested cost of adding additional amenities to pocket parks/neighborhood parks? - soccer posts, benches, trash cans? ex:) APN 31644157T, located on E. California & E. Atchinson Street. (PARCS) Councilmember Vang requested cost of taking the City of Fresno's Community Garden Program In-House? How many staff members would be needed to run the program? The City charges a nominal $40 annual fee, we don't charge for water/irrigation. There's only 3 City-owned Community Gardens, potentially 2 more. This is a nominal drop in the bucket, in comparison to all of our other City PARC programs. (PARCS) Councilmember Vang requested current Staffing Levels for Office of Special Events? Number of applications processed monthly? Annually? Processing times for Special Events? (Mayor & City Manager's Office) Councilmember Vang requested a study to identify potential park spaces in D5, similarly to the methodology utilized in the Tower District Plan to identify gaps. (PARCS)
Councilmember Vang requested cameras for Mail Theft. How many are in installed throughout the City? Cost to install and operate Cameras for Mail Theft? Cameras installed on 8th St, Butler, Lowe and Orange. On the corner of Cesar Chavez and 10th. And on 5th Street between Montecito and Butler for speeding. (Police)
Councilmember Vang requested what does ISD do with older computers after they upgrade to a newer laptop? (Said that they auction them off). Can we donate them to Nonprofits that need their equipment or maybe schools? (Information Services)
Councilmember Vang requested shade structure needs assessment for Fax Bus Stops? When was the last one conducted? (FAX)
Councilmember Vang requested a study on adding a left turn on E. Kings City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5
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Canyon and S. Winery. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested a study on adding a right turn on Clovis Ave and E. California Ave. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested street repavement Sunnyside Ave to Fowler Ave, Belmont Ave to Illinois Ave. (Public Works) Councilmember Vang requested cost to repair sidewalks around S. Peach, E. Lowe, and S. Villa boundary (Ayer Area). (Public Works) Councilmember Vang requested cost for street repavement within newly 9 week concrete repair (Alta Orange Butler to Sixth). (Public Works) Councilmember Vang requested cost for repavement S. Chestnut from Church to Butler. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested cost to repave/repair E. Butler Ave, down S. Fowler and E. Butler intersection. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested cost of concrete repair along S. Peach to S.
Waldby E. Grove to E. Kaviland. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested cost to repair Sidewalk Lifts Around Huntington Court Apartments. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested traffic study along Armstrong Ave to Church Ave (Has County Areas). (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested traffic study Fowler Ave Kings Canyon to Jensen Ave (has County areas). (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested cost of road repair within Ventura Ave, S.
Orange Ave, E Butler Ave, and S. First St. grid. (Public Works) Councilmember Vang requested installing street lighting/light posts, particularly in alleys within the E. Lowell Ave, 10th St., Lyell Ave., and 4th St. grid. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested traffic study on what we can install for speed calming measures such as speed bumps within 8th St., Butler Ave.
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and Ventura Ave, as well as along Orange Ave. and Ventura Ave. (Public Works)
Councilmember Vang requested cost of Installing crosswalks on 10th St. intersections on E. El Monte Way and Montecito Ave. (Public Works) Councilmember Vang requested cost for concrete repair S. Evelyn Ave to S.
Wailing - E. Grove to E. Kaviland. (Public Works)
Councilmember Arias requested would the replacement of bleachers at Granite Park trigger CEQA? (PARCS)
Councilmember Arias requested is the Convention Center in the PARCS Master Plan.(PARCS)
Councilmember Arias requested an update regarding potential capital improvements at Riverside Golf Course, including a possible driving range that could generate additional revenue.(PARCS)
Councilmember Arias requested does the City have the right to pursue the acquisition of parking at Granite Park through eminent domain?(PARCS) Councilmember Arias requested could City Attorney's Office confirm if Measure "P" allows the City to charge an admissions fee for a public park that is funded by Measure "P"?(City Attorney)
Councilmember Arias requested would Granite Park be eligible for New Parks funding under Measure P? What Parks Master Plan designation does Granite Park fall under?(PARCS)
Councilmember Arias requested will installing lighting at CA/Tupman Park trigger CEQA requirements? (PARCS)
Councilmember Perea requested City Attorney's Office to provide appraisal of Grannite Park. (Mayor & City Manager's Office)
Council President Esparza requested is the current allocated amount of $1,100,500 for the acquisition of the First/Clinton property (Radio Park) sufficient? What is the funding gap needed to acquire the First/Clinton property? (PARCS)
ADJOURNMENT
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June 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
City Council recessed the June 8, 2026, Budget Hearings at 4:30 P.M. to be resumed Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 9:00 A.M.
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the September 3, 2026 regular meeting.
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