Thread by @AndyHS

Fresno City Council April 11,2019 New proposal on anti-panhandling ; directing funds to low income neighborhoods; first of the TCC (Transformative Climate Communities) grants to solar &permaculture garden; Update on University of Chicago study on best way to reduce water usage

by residents (automatic monitoring v staff stopping by, reduction in fines etc.) All Councilmembers present (District 2 vacant with Brandau resignation). @PaulCaprioglio first day as new Council President. He explains procedures, deadlines of getting items on agenda for up-

coming Council Meetings. Will pull consent items at 1:30 pm from now on so City Staff doesn’t have to wait so long (and takes $18,000 an hour of taxpayer dollars for them sitting). SB 1 gas tax dollars agenda item has been pulled by its sponsors. Proclamation of “National Crime

Victims’ Rights Week” by Council President Caprioglio. County’s Probation Head Keith Haines. Provide services and helping hands to victims. Karen Roach introduces their staff that helps these victims navigate the court systems during a hard time of their lives. Crime stats are

down but Violent crime is up says Caprioglio. Next : Proclamation of “National Autism Awareness Month” Council sponsored by President Caprioglio 1% of children effected by it. Equals millions. Caprioglio helped autistic kids get accustomed to airports with mock flight. Plane

drove around the tarmac with the autistic kids and their families inside. This will help when they actually fly. Autism rates have gone up drastically the past ten years. Staff says Central Valley residents shouldn’t have to go up North or South to get Services.

Proclamation of “National Donate Life Month” sponsored by Council President Caprioglio Donor Network staff here to accept it. Federally designated group for 2/3 of California. Larry Salinas of Fresno State says his own grandson needs a kidney. Police Chief Huerta needed a lung

transplant. Save Mart Center tower will be lit up in honor of Donor Network for entire month. Up next Proclamation of “Don Larson Day” sponsored by Councilmember Chavez @District5Chavez Larson is a long time educator at Fresno City College. Chavez says he enjoyed Larson’s class

What makes us civilized? Was a question Larson posed in his class that Chavez still remembers. Larson jokes “it is dangerous to hand a mic to an educator”. Said it was a joy teaching at City College but those who teach in k-12 deserve all the honor. Began his career at Caruthers

with no training in education. He recalls he was in primary school and had to spend his recess by writing on the board right handed as he was left handed. Thanked teachers who taught constitution , Latin , Theater, His coach had him leave early and start at College of Sequoias

early allowing him to graduate at age 20. Joined by many of his colleagues and former students. He thanks all those for coming out this morning which since he is retired this is early! Chavez says he got a ‘B’ in his class. Larson said he never gave a B , Chavez earned the B!

Councilmembers Reports: @D7Esparza met with Faith in Valley group who advocate for their neighborhood. Met with Leavenworth Elementary parents. Also had privilege of celebration of City employees who have worked here 15,20,30 years. Public meeting with local school districts.

@Esmeralda_Soria helped with Fresno High alley clean up along with Kiawanis Clubs. NW Police District for Block Party that included work opportunities. Quigley Park Master Planning this Saturday at 10 am followed by a BBQ. April 30 meeting regarding school graduation rates

@PaulCaprioglio thanks Mayor and staff for helping putting lights up. LED lights will be beginning to be placed in Fresno. Honor Flight lands tonight at Fresno Air Terminal. Consent Calendar 1-A Court Standby Pay for Supervising Crime Scene Technicians. Arias asks if Council

was briefed on this in Closed Session? NO. Arias can’t vote for it. Soria says let’s continue this. City Manager and staff says Closed Session is used for major changes with Unions but this is routine item. Would like stand by pay for these crime technicians. @GarryBredefeld

Says this isn’t part of normal Union contract. YES. Agrees Council should hear all items like this. @D7Esparza says this is minor and all the paperwork is present. Arias only objection is not content but needs to go thru correct process to allows us to see full proposal. Labor

Management Act should be abided by. Item is approved. Other items on Consent Calendar include Council
Approve the appointments of Elizabeth Rivinius and Brian Chambers and the re-appointment of Lacy Barnes to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board.

**PROPOSAL FOR FIRING RANGE LEAD RECLAMATION AND RANGE MAINTENANCE CITY OF FRENSO REGIONAL PUBLIC TRAINING FACILITY RANGES 

appropriating $24,300 for newly elected and re-elected Councilmember salary increases in District 1, 3, and 7 approving the reallocation of $24,300 for

newly elected and re-elected Councilmember salary increases in District 1, 3, and 7 approving the reallocation of $24,300 for newly elected and re-elected Councilmember salary increases in Districts 1, 3, and 7 (Requires 5 affirmative votes)

Actions related to updating water conservation measures and the City’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan:
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Study was 3 months long. Automated enforcement v visual enforcement provided more water savings. 65% Of those who received first fine didn’t have another fine generated. Fine Discounts had no effect. Met 2020 conservation goal.

Utility Department Head Mike Carbajal said residents doing a great job conserving. Will allow watering to go until 10 am rather than current 9 am. Streamlined Appeal Process. Education Outreach include EyeonWater App ,Water Use Permit for items like solar panel cleaning.

@District5Chavez asks when fines will First go out? Carbajal says May 2020 will be subject to a fine after one warning. City will collect data in 2019 to find those who abuse water threshold. This will be best use of time and better results. 400 gallons per minute, wrong time,

will Be Main fines. Chavez asks how do those who have very large lots with lots of landscaping. Customer could ask for exception if they have more than two acres. Would have to be re-newed each year. Still would need to conserve water. Chavez would like this to come back before

fines are sent out in 2020. @GarryBredefeld asks how residents are doing? A: 2015 was 309 gallons and now down to 2005 gallons. @Esmeralda_Soria Thinks a more robust outreach is needed especially in Spanish. Would like to see copy of JP Marketing’s Marketing Plan. Sprinklers v

hand water. She herself has to hand water due to old home. Carbajal said longer time to water helps. Soria: Drought tolerant gardens seems to be for more affluent residents due to upfront costs. How can those low income make the switch easier? Agreement with local appliance

businesses? A: not yet but looking at rebates to encourage. @D7Esparza “thank you for a more customer friendly proposal”. @MiguelArias_D3 Are we holding City Departments up to same standards? A: YES. Arias : do we fine these Departments? A: NO. Arias says there were City tree

that damaged a customer’s water pipes and caused water leakage. Arias says tree can’t be removed as there is no funding except thru Council discretionary funding. Public Works Scott Mozier said residents are responsible for right of way damage except to curbs, sidewalks.

Arias says customer has water fine PLUS $500 tree removal and she is on a fixed income. Will this new plan help resolve some of the concerns from last year? A: focusing on habitual offenders. Arias says simply putting computer model and let it run doesn’t work without monitoring.

@PaulCaprioglio says he collects shower water in a bucket and uses it to water plants. He has probably saved 4000 gallons over the year. But he did get a fine one time. Bothered him as he did so much to save water. His family’s initial reaction was to turn on all the sprinklers!

(They didn’t ). Carbajal said focusing on worse offenders will prevent some of those concerns. Approved 6-0. Appearance by Sammy Franco AND Rachel Franco to speak on financial audit conducted in Central Valley Community Sports. Franco says audit had seven findings of concern.

What accountability? He knows Geanite Park can be an asset to City. Franco says he gets calls daily regarding this park. @codymcdivitt (heads up ) Arias asks City Attorney about compliance of this non profit. Says it is in compliance. Moving on to Plan Amendment/Rezone Applicatio

which is a land swap with family property owners and Derrel’s Mini Storage. Arias asks about project. Sol’s Bill Robinson said it helps both entities to build subdivision as well as storage unit. Helps square off properties. Arias feels outside landscaping in North Fresno’s

Derrel’s Mini Storage are superior to those in South Fresno like water features. Bill Robinson assures Arias it will in fact have water features. @GarryBredefeld asks if it is indeed true that North Derrel’s are superior? Robinson says some Derrel’s are much older and not as

many appealing. Bredefeld would find it appalling if there is indeed two different standards. Robinson said City Staff can Enforce it too. Some are being refurbished to have a better landscaping. Robinson said water features need a certain setback. Chavez jokes water feature

can have statues to @MiguelArias_D3 and @GarryBredefeld ! Approved 6-0.
receive HOUSING ELEMENT link to PowerPoint
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Due in every April

Housing sites affordability is divided by density. Density of 30+ is zoned for very low income. 28 Housing Programs to encourage affordable housing. Downtown zoning is already done so that will make it easier. Renaissance at Oarc Grove for disabled and Veterans built.

Downtown Displacement Team has been assembled with First Meeting this Spring. Outreach in English, Spanish and Hmong. California Apartment Association and Leadership Counsel for Justice &Accountability went Comments. @LCJandA Also hope to preserve trailer parks as affordable

housing before returning. @PaulCaprioglio jumps to 3-A Approve the award of a purchase contract to Swanson Fahrney Ford for the purchase of 41 Ford vehicles in the amount of $1,153,264
@MiguelArias_D3 asks if we ever buy clean cars ? Says we try to when can. Jim Schaad says

are often come at a premium but need to also meet the application. Approved 6-0

Returning to Housing Element and Public Comments. First says both single and multi-family affordable homes are needed and low barrier to allow those who are homeless to move into housing too. @kieltls says his group does lending for affordable housing and would like Council to

look to local financing for these Affordable Housing. Also concerned task force has cancelled two meetings due to no quorum. Need those who can attend be put in those positions. @Esmeralda_Soria thanks Community advocates and City Staff. State Housing Crisis May Be Hit harder

here in Fresno due to low incomes. Takes along time for these projects to come online due to lack of local matching dollars for these grants. Rehabbing existing homes in older neighborhoods. First time homeowner needed in order to build equity. Grants to rehab homes are important

Council need to be intentional as where these affordable homes are located. Infrastructure investments need to prioritize older neighborhoods with sidewalks , gutters etc. our budgets need to reflect this. SB 1 dollars too. @District5Chavez thanks @AshleyEWerner for meeting with

him with her staff. He says there are 9 projects in the works. There is a housing crisis in Fresno. Rent effects everything else like affording food. We need to go beyond State standards. @MiguelArias_D3 asks if we are meeting State standards? A: we don’t have percentages listed

So that makes it hard to document. Arias says most City affordable homes are mostly in South Fresno? A: YES. Arias: can we encourage affordable homes in North Fresno too? A: There is some plans. Planning Department Head Jennifer Clark says there are some first time homeowner

plans available. 2000 rentals of 8000 being inspected for Rental Registry so far. Displacement Repoet should be available in 30 days says Sophia P. Arias would like update in 3 months. @D7Esparza wonders about being realistic about developing vacant lots that may take 3-7 units

NOFA dollars available for First time Homeowners says Soria. Concludes Housing Element. 3-A Actions pertaining to the 2017 Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Grant and Transform Fresno Plan projects: 1. Approve a Sub-Recipient Agreement with Grid Alternatives Central Valle

$883,826;
Approve Sub-Recipient Agreement with Grid Alternatives Central Valley for Project #4 GRID Solar Collaborative Multi-Family Partnership totaling $352,549; 
Approve a Sub-Recipient Agreement with Fresno Metro Ministries for Project #12 Yosemite Village Permaculture

Community Garden and Urban Farm Incubator totaling $367,500; Approved 6-0. RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Creation of Constituent Participation Budget Committees. This will formalize this says @District5Chavez. Will help us know what neighborhoods, church groups need. @LCJandA

says this will allow public engagement. Passes 6-0. Unscheduled Communication: Shower Station for Homeless that is eco friendly &water friendly. Help cut down disease and help those get cleaned up for job interviews. Has been able to meet with H Spees yet. Lunch Recess until 1:30

Back from Lunch Recess. New version of anti- Panhandling item at 2 pm. 4-A Council Boards and Commissions. Sound was cut off on video feed for most of this. Only part audible was @D7Esparza was approved 6-0 to join inaudible Commission. Going to Closed Session until 2 pm.

Returning from Closed Session. Advancing the “Help Us, Help Fresno” Initiative to address panhandling sponsored by Bredefeld, Arias Video shown.

@GarryBredefeld says this new ordinance is not about fining people for panhandling , or those that donate directly. Video showed giving money directly just keeps homeless on the streets. We don’t want to be SF or LA with rampant homeless camps. Need to educate citizens. If money

dries up then the homeless will be forced to ask for help. Positive slogan. Money donated will be put in a City account and money will be used at Budget time. No specific non- profit designated for money. Phone number goes to the 24 hour Fresno Rescue Mission. Business owners

can use this number to help homeless. There is no perfect solution and this isn’t as well. Some people just don’t want help. Donate to local charities but don’t donate directly to homeless. This is what this ordinance is about. I thank Arias and Caprioglio for their help. I would

like these signs on our local busses too. I make motion to approve “ Police Chief Dyer comes up and says he was against previous ordinance because it was far reaching and relied on PD to enforce it. A negative environment would be created. An unreal expectation too. The current

ordinance strikes a good balance. Doesn’t rely on enforcement but lets people to transfer their generosity to local non profits. I know this strikes a divide when speaking on panhandlers but this strikes a good balance. I applaud this ordinance. “ @PaulCaprioglio says lots of

work to get to this point and thanks Bredefeld and Arias.” @MiguelArias_D3 thanks Dee Barnes, Mike Rhodes and others that contacted him this week on this. “Any proposal needs to protect constitutional rights to give /receive donations and would not be arrested for doing it.

This text allows people to donate and those looking for help to call a one 24 hour number. I have heard that some were against that Fresno Rescue Mission is that number but we don’t have many options in Fresno at this time. Those neighborhoods that are chosen to have these signs

won’t be forced to have it. Chavez and I helped get low barriers built. We have a housing crisis. We don’t need a demeaning item for the homeless like the proposal like last week. Money into budget won’t be only going to Faith Based organizations. Everyone deserves humanity.

We are looking for comments to make this better. “ Public Comments: Gonzalo Arambula first says “Welfare Dept threw him out of a program. This is Welfare fraud. I don’t have addictions. I have health concerns. I need a roof. “ Linda Guerrero says signs are not solution. We need

housing with showers like a KOA. The signs will only be an eye sore” Alissa Stevens from Fresno Chamber “are in support of this text”. Mike Rhodes “we shouldn’t try to starve our homeless into submission. We spend money that attack homeless like No Camping, No Shopping Carts etc

we need low barrier shelters. They will have basic items like water, toilets and access to services like anti addiction , job training”. Jordan Fitzpatrick is disappointed in Arias support of this. We need to help people not be homeless. Transgender have no homeless shelter that

accepts transgendered. Fresno Rescue won’t accept them. These signs are just an advertise for Rescue Mission. Use the Mission CEO’s $100,000 salary”. Dez Martinez says the “$20,000 for signs could be better spent. (She recites many people by name who have died on our streets )

Aileen Reed says “wishes many of the Councilmembers would have been at this week’s Poor People Campaign. This text is a mixture of Church and State. Rescue Mission forces them clients to attend services. Direct services need to have more money. Homeless have spread to North

part of Fresno and that is why it is an issue now. “ Homeless Veteran advocate says vets often have PTSD and causes homelessness. Some one with PTSD needs shelter and not signs. Rethink this. “ Brandi Vieggas says “anything to help people connect to help. This text will take away

people’s initiative to help and water given to homeless.” Patricia Wells says she “gives to Dakota Eco Garden. She often sees homeless who are dying due to not enough food. Homeless says Poverello and Rescue Mission can be dangerous for women. These signs hurt homeless. Need

food and shelter. Asks Arias to look for other solutions. Our City has been given millions but not solved anything. “ Cruz Rodriquez “ City uses terms that dehumanize homeless. Want to regulate them to Institutions and not see them as neighbors. This hurts their psyche and takes

away their hope. City has failed to provide enough housing. This text will only isolate people. These places can be like concentration camps”. Matt Dildie “ likes the message of thinking first before you give. If you want to pray with someone that is fine. When they are addicted

They need specific help. The streets are difference. Fresno Rescue Mission (that he represents) doesn’t take any City money but we just want to help. When someone calls Mission we can come pick you up. Place to stay. A meal. We ask how they can help. Direct them to services

based and non-faith based. “ Soria asks if Mission takes in LGBTQ ? A: YES. Smiley Gee says “Who ever oppresses the poor offends their maker. These signs are an eyesore and a bad message. Let the businesses buy similar signs if they want and see how it effects their revenues.

sign shouldn’t be in public places. Maybe just “give to local charities” “‘portion of sign first and bolder and larger than rest of messsge. End of public portion. @District5Chavez says “here we are again. Three weeks ago. Thanks those that met with him after that. City has no

credibility when it comes to Homeless because we spent last ten years tackling symptoms and not deep rooted causes. Their is no malice behind this text. We get lots of calls from constituents on homelessness. We need big solution. Only way we will build Trust. Low barrier shelter

is needed. Wonders where $20,000 comes from. Would like to hold off on signs being put up. Wants to hear from advocates first. PSA on solutions and charity”. Soria is “disappointed that we are back here again. Wishes this was coming from a place to encourage people to care. These

signs are not positive. Stigmatize homeless. Never really know if people panhandling are truly homeless. They could have hungry or sick kids. A veteran. Would really use the donation for food. Sign seems like it makes it illegal to give. She asked for feedback from people on

social media. Most were against this. We made a comprehensive plan recently. Low barrier, job training etc. but we haven’t implemented this yet. Signs should be in several languages and actually info help not be homeless. She would like to wait until low barrier is built.

We should inspire people to give. Don’t use taxpayer money for this. Raise money elsewhere like businesses , Chamber of Commerce. Supreme Court took down No Camping. We need to remove that ordinance in order to bring us credibility. “ @D7Esparza says he is not convinced panhan-

dling is true issue. These signs are negative and will bring down property values anywhere they are placed. If we are serious we need to come back with comprehensive plan as well as remove No Camping Ordinance” Arias says he heard today we need to build barrier first as well as

Changing language on the proposed signs. Also remove No Camping Ordinance to instill credibility. “ Bredefeld: “ PSA is fine. Low Barrier shelter is good and I am on the subcommittee. He says no Camping Ordinance has been successful in his district. He voted for it and is in

support. “ Esparza breaks in to mention those removed from camping in Bredefeld district have alll moved into his district. Bredefeld “ he doesn’t want Fresno to become SF or LA. These proposed signs can’t be more positive. He will take the $20,000 for the signs from his

infrastructure fund if that helps his colleagues agree to this. Astonished to hear some of the comments up here about the signs.” Caprioglio “ says we need both barrier shelter and the signs. We need the signs. “ Chavez: “people ask why Council spending so much time on this issue

? Asks Bredefeld “how do the signs help the addicted?” Bredefeld says if money not given to addicts it just keeps them addicted. Dependency. They will seek treatment if they are at that point. I will pay for signs. PSAs are good. “ Arias “ my colleagues would like to wait until

low barrier shelter is built. “ Chavez says this discussion is still happening after today. The shelter will help with credibility” Arias “ doesn’t want to have divisive on dais. He would like individual Councilmembers to fit the sign language that they like. Would like shelter

open first before signs go up. “ Bredefeld says “ I don’t want to remove anything from Sign. What do you Arias want to remove?” Arias would like flexibility in language of signs. Doesn’t want signs to be offensive in neighborhoods”. Bredefeld says he is ok with language changes

to signs. People can wait on signs being put up but not for his district. “ Soria: “ appreciates the robust conversation on this. Are we creating a divisive message with Bredefeld districts less positive signs and different in other districts. “ City Manager says marketing of

different signs may be confusing to residents”. Arias “ we are giving mixed message as a divided city and not One City. He would like more time and more positive message. Shouldn’t have 6 messages on what charity is. Won’t vote on this if it stays this way. “ Bredefeld says Arias

worked with Arias but Arias was disingenuous the entire time. “ Motion fails for lack of Majority. Arias would like this to come back with more positive message. Caprioglio adjourns Meeting.

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