Thread by @AndyHS

March 10,2022 Fresno City Council meeting! Among the agenda items Progress report of Code Enforcement and ASET; Marriott Hotel in downtown Fresno;Continued Closed Session item on negotiations with County on price of old Valley Medical aka University Hospital
@fresnoland

Among the Consent Agenda Items:1-C Actions pertaining to entering into contracts for the demolition of dangerous structures with David Knott Inc;JSA Inspections and Centec Construction 1.Adopt a finding of a Statutory Exemption, per staff determination pursuant to Section 15269

(c) of the CEQA Guidelines as this contract is for specific actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. 2. RESOLUTION - Declaring an urgent necessity for the preservation of life, health, and property and authorizing the City Attorney or designee to enter into and

administer contracts for the demolition of dangerous structures, and the removal of hazardous materials.

1-E *BILL No. 3 (Intro. 2/17/2022) (For Adoption) - Amending Chapter 6, Article 2 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to waste collection and disposal (Subject to Mayor's Veto). fresno.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&…

1-L Approve the appointment of Jerry Zuniga to the Mobile Home Rent Review Stabilization Commission. Approve the appointment of Terry Metters and reappointments of Scott Miller and Edgar Blunt to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board. Approve the reappointment of Peggy

Brisendine to the Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District.

1-M Approve a First Amendment to the Disposition and Development Agreement between Metro Hospitality Services, Inc., and City of Fresno to update the project's construction schedule for the Downtown Fresno Marriott Courtyard Hotel located at the northeast corner of Inyo and M St

1-N RESOLUTION - Adopting the 48th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2021-178 to appropriate $1,995,000 for two park developments; $1,265,000 for the Milburn and Dakota New Park Project (Council Dist 1) and $730,000 for the Radio Park Renovation Project

1-O Actions pertaining to construction of 78 affordable multifamily apartments at 1538 E. Clinton Avenue in Central Fresno (District 7): 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15332/Class 32 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines

2. Approve an Owner Participation Agreement with 1538 E. Clinton Ave., L.P. for the construction of 78 units of affordable multi-family apartments

1-P Award a Requirements Contract for Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant 2020 "Testing of Partially Tested Kits" in an amount not to exceed $203,700 for three years with no extension options to Bode Cellmark Forensics, Bid File No. 961

1-W RESOLUTION - Authorizing Submission of a Grant Application to the United States Economic Development Administration (EDA) American Rescue Plan Act Build Back Better Regional Challenge for Opportunity Walkway; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Application by Public Works

1-Y Approve the appointments of Ken Elvington, Wyatt Meadows, and reappointments of Alysia Bonner, Delfino Neira, Sherry Neil, Chuck Riojas, Lenora Lacy Barnes, and Raine Bumatay as Joint City/County members to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board (FRWDB).

1-Z BILL (for introduction) - Amending Section 12-4.1603 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to fee waiver program for certain residential infill projects.

1-AA RESOLUTION - Regarding nondisclosure agreements (Subject to Mayor's Veto).

1-BB RESOLUTION- Directing staff to prepare a agreement between City of Fresno&San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District regarding notification& processing procedures for applications within So. Central Fresno Community as defined in Central South Fresno CERP pursuant to AB 617

1-CC RESOLUTION - Prioritizing certain infrastructure General Fund and ARPA Funded Projects (Subject to Mayor's Veto).

1-DD RESOLUTION - Confirming emergency conditions continue to directly impact the ability of legislative bodies to meet safely in person, and authorizing remote teleconference meetings of City legislative bodies for 30 days, pursuant to Brown Act provisions

You can watch live beginning at 9 AM @CMACTV cmac.tv/gov/

Meeting begins at 9:04. Invocation and Flag Salute performed.

1-Y Delfino Neira removed from item; 1-AA removed from consent; 1-Q Pulled to consent by Maxwell;@Esmeralda_Soria asks that meeting be adjourned in Memory of Jeffrey Robinson a local LGBTQ+ advocate;

Proclamation for "International Sikh Women's Day (March 7)" sponsored by Soria. She mentions it falls in the same month as Women's History Month as well. Sikh and Jakara Movement is very involved in the Fresno area. 4 panelists from Sikh group and some from Jakara Movement.

Sikh have an international women's dinner for past 14 years. We help with food distribution and covid vaccinations. Goal is to help spread that Sikh is involved in the community. We want to show all women we can lead projects too. Very proud of @Esmeralda_Soria as well.

Proclamation Honoring Justin Garza Traditional Competition Cheer Team "Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship" sponsored by Soria. This is the newest high school in Central Unified.ESPN event in Orlando, FL competed with 1500 teams.

City of Fresno is very proud of you. (Audio is a bit garbled). "The Guardians" were undefeated. Britney Ardino says we are very grateful for this proclamation. Soria:you have set the bar very high for next set of cheerleaders at Garza High!

Council Reports/Comments:@Esmeralda_Soria Shields/Weber @BeautifyFresno event 2000 pounds of trash picked up. Also tree trimming Dakota/Fruit?West area. @LuisCha70215912 ad hoc committee on Homeless services/initiatives. This won't be a duplicate of the current but working with

non-profits. Also thank HART Team for their work in Fancher Creek/Clovis area. Also it is City Manager Georgeanne White's Birthday .Chavez also thanks Ryan for all he did for keeping council chambers cleaned during Covid. Also Bus Drivers help they have done (garbled sound).

@GarryBredefeld only in City Council is the covid issue still happening. Arenas are filled. Fauci is in hiding now. @Maxwell4Fresno Tree trimming occurred in 50-60 year old neighborhood.Council has now tried to get into a 10 year schedule. Road pavement in Millbrook/Dakota area.

@PaulCaprioglio got a lot of that area paved and we were able to now finish it off. Also met Neighborhood Watch officers and team. @D7Esparza District 7 cleaning crew is up and going now. Thanks @MayorJerryDyer . (garbled audio) Ukraine Flag raising event in Eaton Park. Esparza

welcomes voters who have been redistricted into his District 7 (Like ME!) Fresno is the epicenter of Covid still and more stubborn in the rate falling. But it is something to celebrate as it falls. But 900,000 have passed away from it too.@MiguelArias_D3 Good discussions with

Mayor regarding housing homeless. We have proved crime rate goes down when they are housed in a neighborhood. Also my Chief of Staff is moving to Governor's office to work with TCC. Gabela will be interim Chief for me. DA is supposed to follow evidence but her hatred of some at

Council especially Democrats of color. She says some don't live where they say they do but sends deputy out. when it is proven they do she doesn't send out a press release stating that. Terry Slatic assaults a student she doesn't send out a release.Smittcamp's remarks have led us

to be targets of outsiders. Her own romantic relationship and Brown Act violations are also an issue. I know saying this will only make me more of a target.@MayorJerryDyer US Congress has wanted to pull back the second part of ARPA traunch has led me and other mayors to speak

back as to how important ARPA is for us. I will today speak to Public Utility Commission on PG&E's projected 23% rate increase. @Maxwell4Fresno Thanks the Mayor for helping with ARPA. @MiguelArias_D3 The longer the ARPA funds stay in our coffers and not out in the street the more

likely the funds will be asked for back. Dyer:We didn't have instructions until January but some states spent too soon. @gawhitefresno I personally like birthdays.FAX and Airport will be both be turning 60. Also thanks Arias'staff Dolorous for all her hard work before she moves

OPR. Thanks Ryan for his hard work too.@GarryBredefeld pulls 1-BB , 1-Z and registers NO vote on 1-DD.Esaprza calls for public comments both unscheduled and on Consent Agenda.

First is Fernando:Concentration camps are not the way to treat Americans with our own money.Money for homeless is important. Boomerang money for buying motels.

Next: Carmela Martinez on 1-0 This is great but we need more of these affordable housing as well as rent stabilization. I want City to have a public meeting this Month.

@LisaYFlores1 Thank you for big laugh for city for falling for the Nigerian Prince Scam! Also the DA 's press conferences are wasting tax dollars. Misuse of homeless task force time and money for DA's daughter's press op in cleaning a street. Also @Esmeralda_Soria staff went

above and beyond in helping with a noise complaint problem and gave us the needed ordinance for neighbors to handle at the lowest level possible and not waste tax dollars. (Audio/video issues) Robert McCloskey: 13 open shelter beds but many elderly/disabled need a spot.

Cindy Vargas (in Spanish) my rent has gotten up and I a, worried my voucher won't be enough. Those in DV problems can't always get help. Rent control will be helpful. Next:Maria (in Spanish)of Familia Accion say rents are high and apartments are not high quality. We do the best

we can for our families. We want some control of the rent as the increases increase yearly and not just by $50. Unfair to low income who work in the fields.

by Zoom :@acrowellsoci Professor Amber Crowell of Faith in the Valley. We need safety in apartments for all. We need rent stabilization. there is no more give for another $100 rent increase. Can't build affordable homes quick enough. Right to Counsel has fallen short of what

other cities have done. Largest issue is outreach and education and it is cutting the legs out on this. Please don't shut us out! @LovesMercy Brandi:oppose to using ARPA fund in 1-D Concerned about unhoused who was grateful for warming centers when they were open. Many elderly or

disabled. Many ask Brandi about housing. HART officers took a homeless person's item when he left for a bit. Thanks Arias for mentioning services need to be across the entire town. Also the unfairness of the DA to Arias and others. Next:Lola (in Spanish)Receiving help to pay my

rent but they want to cut it. I am hoping someone in District 7 can help. @D7Esparza someone from my staff will be out to speak with you. Next:Lillia President of Familas en Accion (In spanish):we are living under corporations running our city with raising rents and evicting

people. Council needs to do something about corporate landlords. Let's not just warm up our seats but get up and help those in needs.Zoom:@JanineNkosi I am regional advisor for @FaithInFresno People are doing everything to eat and pay their rent. City needs to have public meet-

-ing. Study showed 40+ items that can be followed to increase housing. 2/3 of renters are one medical bill away from being evicted. We need a fully funded eviction program. Rent stabilization allows a high rate of return for landlords and help tenants.

Isabel Vargas:(In Spanish)Still asking for the same thing on rent and not have landlord evict us. I had the home I was renting sold. Too hard to find rent. Next:Marta (in Spanish) Please pay for more attention to the citizens. Rents have increased.More control on the rentals as

my kitchen and washer have not worked but still had rents increased. Please pay attention as some of my children have voted for some of you. Alvarado @FaithInFresno We need affordable rentals. Enough they can afford medicine, groceries and weekend movies. Joy, courageousness and

signs like " i am tired of being tired and homeless" They don't know where their children are going to sleep next month. Hearing we need to wait for justice is justice denied.

@LCJandA Gracia:Agreement with Air Board resolution is important to give public needed heads up. Please listen to solutions of citizens on 1-CC agenda item. Kimberly McCoy I am happy to see new units built but wonder about the safety of some locations such as railroad tracks on

and McKinley. Dyer has suggested shelters are for 60-90 days but what next? We all need safe place to live. Ruben Espinosa:of Fresno Barrios and the new District 7 rentals is much needed and appreciated. We need much much more. We need a public meeting this month.Students are

under stress with not knowing if they can stay in the rental. Zoom :Jessica Ramirez of @FaithInFresno and work full time at Amazon. We need help. We don't ask for much. We never see what we ask for from council. Stimulus is coming to end , gas fuel is going up. Just not enough.

Council collects money from us. We need a special meeting by end of March.So much I want to say in such a little time. Is public showing up not enough? We have child care and jobs to balance to show up. Council doesn't take that into consideration. Gabrila:

Juarez (in spanish) I was unable to leave my daught at home as my husband is at work.I am close to being evicted and need help. Next:Paolas for homeless veterans. Thank you lowering for bus fare. We need reduced rent. I take suicide calls often. Dez Martinez:sobbing saying Jerry

was found dead. We need wraparound services. Jerry Mulford was pulled off the street into shelter but no services to help him. Too many people have died. Jerry was the Mayor of H St. The first Mayor Jerry. He fixed semi trucks that broke down, helped women get clothes so they

would not be raped. We thank you for the 43 new units but we need wraparound services like drug rehab and mental services. We have to give people the tools. We need to know how many have been picked up off the streets. 43 units when we need 84,000. In Jerry's memory please help

with warp-around resources. Leonard:In god we trust says the sign. Do you do that?People need to stand together. Dez spoke about Uncle Jerry. After i was incarcerated I went to Salvation Army. Celebrate Recovery program was a way to get us people to resources. Trust in God.

Cheyanne:My mother is Dez. She is my strength. I have met many wonderful street people. They spend everyday to survive. They have to take all of their belongings with them. My mother gets threats and been told they wish she would go away.

Christopher:Cry of the poor is not always just but if you don't pay attention you won't know. 1-O housing is needed but rent stabilization and eviction programs too. It has been proven to keep tenants in those in rentals.

Jaylen Swank: From Miss Black California. My family couldn't afford housing despite my mother and myself work for the State. We make a little too much and don't qualify. We need affordable housing in District 6 where I was raised and attended Clovis West.

Guadalupe (In spanish).We live in not a very supervised place by county and city. Not a good place to live. We have three families to cover the rent.

Lourin Hubbard:@LourinHubbard I am here to speak about unhoused residents. We tend to drive by and not think of them as individuals. State and Federal funding has been allocated and while it is helpful it is not enough. County and City got this funding. Most of those council

want to help (he looked hard at someone and may have been Bredefeld)
Ends Public Comments.
Esparza says the 43 unit project came to our attention last summer and is moving at record pace to get them built. @GarryBredefeld We spent money for paying off rent, paying their water

but County provides mental health and those who need it need to go to county. If you want to end your drug abuse stop taking them and get help. If unemployed get a job. 11 M job openings. Restaurants have closed in Fresno due to low staff.We need to change State regulations in

order to build more housing. People need to help themselves out of problems. Government is not the solution to everything. Some up here with me don't believe that. There are opportunities to get help but you need to persue those.@D7Esparza We will have an April Housing item and

we are following Mayor's Housing committee.We hold an emergency meeting within 24 hours but it will be helpful to go after the mayor's committee have met. White:we do meet with County regarding homeless. I spoke with County CAO. He said none of the advocates here today show up

County Supervisors' meetings to discuss it.We have provided $60 M for these motels. They were not there 18 months ago. We don't get resources for wraparound resources. Mayor meets every week on housing on policies, funding sources, (City Attorney asks to avoid any Brown Act here)

and analytical GIS tool to overlay housing types, vulnerabilities etc but we have not received it.@GarryBredefeld State sponsored event is giving our free needles at Roeding Park. It is not a way to stop drugs. Of course we have a president who wants to give out crack pipes.

1- Q Actions pertaining to the 2021 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant Program: 1. Authorize the Chief of Police to accept $31,844 in grant funding for the 2021 Off-Highway Vehicle grant program awarded to the Fresno Police Department from the State of California Department of Parks

and Recreation; 2. Authorize the Chief of Police to execute the agreement and all related documents applicable to the 2021 OHV grant including amendments and extensions; and 3. ***RESOLUTION - Adopt a Resolution authorizing approval of $31,844 in grant funding from the State of

California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Fresno Police Department's 2021 Off-Highway Vehicle grant (Subject to Mayor's Veto)
@Maxwell4Fresno Am I being asked to create a new river bottom unit where I was told my bike unit can't be reformed. Deputy Chief:open river

HOV allowed but we are seeing illegal motorcycles down there creating a fire hazard. We are not supplanting bike units. This requires a grant match for overtime. We want 2 officer ATVs there on weekend when it is the most popular time for illegal bikes and school patrol is not.

Police presence makes a real difference. 100% of this grant will be for overtime asks Maxwell? Is City subsidizing County and State with this river bottom patrol. How much is city jurisdiction?Deputy Chief:We are working about putting a mounted unit at river. Madera County does

north side of River for patrol and rescue helps. White:a fire occurs from illegal bikes it will be city homes that will burn with nothing on Madera side.Deputy :cost for officers depends on which steps they are on. Maxwell:if the same check was made for El Dorado and Fashion

Fair bike patrol would we be able to get overtime officers too?Deputy:thank you for the offer. Our staffing is getting better and Mayor is trying to get bike patrols as soon as staffing allows it. White: we will look at it. Maxwell:this is easier to say YES as this is overtime

and grant money. I will vote in favor. @kmkarbassi We have been trying to make the river more open to public. Lots of challenges for fire units on bluff and the homes near there. Street racing is a problem but we have worked with State. Safety around schools and sometimes that

is the parents. I had to meet with owner of shopping mall near bluffs and the tenants have had issues with homeless who feel territorial . @MiguelArias_D3 Ability to provide police near homeless encampment. But told we don't have enough officers to patrol this 1000 size camp. I

am told when salary increases etc occur it will be. But now told we have enough for river bottom where I have not been told there are any violent crimes there but it does happen at homeless camps. @kmkarbassi Arias has been constantly wanting to defund police. Arias:show me where

I have done that. I voted to fund PD where Karbassi did not. Maybe need to get out of KMJ echo chamber. Karbassi:I voted against it as it didn't go far enough. You went to a protest against PD. I am against the hypocrisy. If you ask rank and file officers you will know who is

really on their side. @Esmeralda_Soria Police Chief has promised a Safety plan in May. Tower District has had recent shootings and community is frustrated. I have championed bike patrols. Neighborhoods get frustrated when bike patrols are pulled out of service as they are a help.

Deputy Chief:Patrol staffing has never been like it is today but we are getting more of those trained to be up on bikes. APPROVED 6-1 with Arias voting NO.

Back from lunch break. Items to hear still are 1-Z ,1-BB, 1-CC, 10:05 am and Code Enforcement/ASET progress report.

City Clerk Todd Stermer says video stream is paused on website but is ok on Zoom, CMAC and Youtube. We did have some translation issues though.

1-Z BILL (for introduction) - Amending Section 12-4.1603 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to fee waiver program for certain residential infill projects. Pulled by @GarryBredefeld Does this preclude District 6 from using this? White:BRT corridors and Downtown. Bredefeld:so

it looks like it does cover mine. Arias motions and Bredefeld seconds APPROVED 6-0-1

1-BB RESOLUTION- Directing staff to prepare an agreement between the City of Fresno and San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District regarding notification and processing procedures for applications within the South Central Fresno Community as defined in the Central South Fresno

CERP pursuant to AB 617. Planning Director Jennifer Clark says she believes a letter is more appropriate than a MOU with SJ Air District. Air District is not prohibitive from discussing with AB617 but we don't think we should give up any authority. @GarryBredefeld Is this un-

-necessary as you are already doing this? Clark:we are meeting already with Air District so I agree.@MiguelArias_D3 It effects my district as where most distribution centers are going. I am asking staff will fly projects and City email council about this project. We don't have

a representative on Air District Board. I am happy to remove this item today and work with Administration to make it better. We approved a sizable project with better technology but found it had already approved by the Director. After meeting with advocates we ended up approving

it. I would like a MOU rather than a letter as City Managers come and go and I like the current City Manager! We have been approving distribution centers without SE Specific Plan. Let us table this for now.

1-CC RESOLUTION - Prioritizing certain infrastructure General Fund and ARPA Funded Projects (Subject to Mayor's Veto).@D7Esparza I want to be sure Mayor is getting this into pipeline and it does seem like they are.@gawhitefresno We would need to outsource all ARPA work. We have

been working on estimating the cost of projects and we don't have enough dollars for it so we need Council to prioritize. @Maxwell4Fresno This will go through Counsel to be sure they are legal? White:yes along with Controller have been vetting it.

10:05 AM HEARING to consider the vacation of a portion of East Kaviland Avenue at South Rose Avenue (Council District 3): 1. ***RESOLUTION - Ordering the vacation of a portion of East Kaviland Avenue at South Rose Avenue (Subject to Mayor's Veto) APPROVED 6-0 with Soria absent

3-A Progress of Code Enforcement, including ASET Quarterly report.Staff Christine with report.

327,000 pounds of trash has been picked since January. @MiguelArias_D3 We will eclipse @MayorJerryDyer goal of 1 Million pounds soon. There is lots of trash to go around. Christine:We are happy to do our part.City Attorney Sloan says we have to have collection

services to get reimbursed quicker from property owner. The recent Chinatown fire cost city $30,000 just to get it to a safe level. We are running far ahead of what we spend to demo a building. We are already at 2020 and 2021 levels spent. Arias:lots of these fires are homeless

trying to stay warm and lighting fires. Current metrics as to when we open up warming centers is 32 degrees but doesn't take into count rainy days. Opening warming/cooling centers is less expensive than demoing. White:parks dept funds the warming centers but they neither have the

funding nor the training to handle homeless. I am open to finding another department handle. Sloan:inhabitable home puts someone on the street. Could we place them straight into shelter rather than onto street?

@Maxwell4Fresno You and your team do a wonderful job. (Christine didn't do the ASET Quarterly Report but I will provide it here)

Council is going into CLOSED SESSION now.Among those items include:
5-A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1) CMG Construction Management, Inc. v. City of Fresno, et al., Fresno Superior Court Case No. 22CECG00271

5-B CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: UMC Campus; Negotiating Parties: City Manager, County of Fresno; Under Negotiations: Price and terms of sale.

Next meetings :March 24, April 21, 28th

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