Thread by @AndyHS

May 27, 2021 Fresno city Council meeting! Among the items today are Mid-year budget review; Notario Publico fraud;80-ft cell tower dispute;Workshop extravaganzas today! On CARES Act,Water Supply; Mayor’s proposed budget and Soccer Stadium!; Also Mobile Home Park code enforcement

as well as Tower district Specific Plan update committee;@fresnoland @FLDocumenters #Fresno Among the Consent Items:1-K Actions pertaining to Commercial Cannabis Activity:This bill amends FMC Section 9-3316(f) to specify that full copies of cannabis applications will be on
the

website once the interview process is complete for that particular application process. The
ordinance was previously silent on when cannabis applications would be posted on the City’s website. The amendment also states that applicant names and addresses will post at the close of

an
application period. This posting process is similar in other jurisdictions.
This bill also amends FMC Section 9-3325(a)(2) and removes language referring to the sale of a
cannabis permit. Cannabis permits cannot be sold in the City of Fresno.@JePahl_White

1-L Actions pertaining to the acquisition of The Valley Inn, a 107-room motel located at 933 N. Parkway Drive (APN 449-335-32), to provide temporary shelter and prevent COVID-19 among individuals experiencing homelessness in the City of Fresno

1-M PowerPointActions pertaining to the FY2021 Mid-Year Budget Review

1-N Approve the appointment of Marina Magdaleno to the Civil Service Board, approve the reappointment of Caine Christensen, Sharon Wilson-Williams, and Donyell Wilkins to the Housing Authority, and approve the reappointment of Felipe Arballo to the Bicycle and @PhilArballo

and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Sponsors: Office of Mayor and City Manager; 1-P Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into the Third Amendment to an existing contract with
ShotSpotter Inc. (SST), through the end of FY 2024 to provide gunshot detection coverage for 14.46
sq.

miles in the City of Fresno in an amount not to exceed $2,076,384 over three years.; 1-Q Authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with ShotSpotter Inc. (SST)
through the end of FY 2021 to assume two contracts for gunshot detection coverage areas

8.26
square miles that were previously entered into by the City of Fresno Bus Rapid Transit Authority and
SST (2.26 square miles) and Fresno Unified School District and SST (6 square miles) in the amount of
$245,589.

1-S Staff recommends that Council adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption and award a construction
contract with ARES General Engineering for $193,965 for the Romain Park Southwest Parking Lot
Reconstruction project; and authorize the Public Works Director or designee to sign

1-Y Ordinance (for introduction) – Amending the Vacant Building Ordinance, FMC section 10-617

1-Z Amending the Rental Housing Improvement Act,
FMC sections 10-1601 – 10-1605.

1-BB Amending Section 5-510 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the Fresno
Youth Commission. Sponsored :Councilmember Karbassi All members are required to attend
every scheduled regular and special meeting. Three excused absences
shall be allowed per year. More than three

excused absences shall result in
termination from the Commission. No unexcused absences will be allowed
and are grounds for immediate termination from the Commission. [No more
than ten unexcused absences per two-year term shall be allowed.

1-CC Approve the appointment of Katie Purdy to the Fresno Youth Commission.
Sponsors: Councilmember Karbassi

1-DD Initiating a Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fresno to Amend
Chapter 15, Article 27, Section 15-2706 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to the Sale of Alcoholic
Beverages for Off-site Consumption – The Responsible Neighborhood Market Act

1-EE ***RESOLUTION - Encouraging and directing local law enforcement and City Attorney’s Office to
enforce state law related to immigration consultants or Notario Publico fraud (subject to Mayor’s Veto) the literal translation of Notario Publico in English is Notary Public;
and

WHEREAS, a Notary Public in the State of California is not authorized to practice
law or represent individuals before the government for any matter, including immigration;
and
WHEREAS, individuals in the State of California have taken advantage of the literal
translation of

Notario Publico to Notary Public in order to claim to be able to provide
assistance and/or legal advice related to immigration matters, without meeting the State of California requirements.

1-FF ***RESOLUTION – Amending the Citywide Records Management Program Approve resolution amending the citywide Records Management Program to carve out an exception
for privileged attorney-client communications and related records of the City Attorney’s Office.On May 6, 2019,

Council adopted Resolution No. 2019-091 implementing the Citywide Record
Management Program and the associated Records Retention Schedule, mandating the deletion and
destruction of certain records, including e-mails of the City Attorney’s Office. On June 20, 2019,
Council also

adopted Resolution No. 2019-122 relating to the retention and production of public
records contained in electronic media, supplementing Resolution No. 2008-243, which set forth a City
Records Retention Schedule. Consequently, many valuable City Attorney’s Office attorney client

mails
and related records have been deleted, resulting in the loss of years of institutional knowledge
and the need to repeat extensive legal work. Furthermore, such records span multiple
administrations and council terms of office and provide Councilmembers with vital context

and history
on projects and policies that may have predated their terms

You may watch the meeting beginning at 9 am on cmac.tv/gov/

Meeting beginning 9:03 am with all present. Rev. Lee from Mt Olive Baptist with invocation. 1-L Valley Inn moved to June 10, 1-DD Zoning , 1-FF records as well as 3-B water workshop have been continue to June 10 too.Mayor would like Valley Inn to b heard today. Arias:issues with

language as significant renovations are needed as well as the contract language. Dyer: nearly all the rooms are ready to be occupied.Bredefeld: can we hear it today and deal with those issues.Karbassi: maybe it can be worked out at lunch and then voted on in afternoon? Arias: it

will take more than a lunch break and it is $10 million deal we need to get correct. Chavez: I want to be respectful of Arias as he has most of these homeless shelters. Can we do a special meeting next week?Arias and Mayor agree. Esparza:I would like council discussion portion

removed on Soccer Stadium as we will be discussing that at Closed Session. Karbassi:Remove 4-D with no set date to return. Also 2-C CUP to be removed until 2 pm after we have Closed Session. Some of his residents can call then as well. 1-Z Bredefeld recuses himself. Esparza:

tabling all Housing Authority nominees from 1-N but leaving rest of appointments. Proclamations: A surprise for teacher Vanessa Richardson who was tricked into coming. She taught at Lincoln, Viking, McLane and Fresno State. Police officer said this lady help him to belive in

himself. Ch 47 reporter's mother worked with her as well as his own teacher at Hoover. She is the gold standard of a teacher. Richardson: you never know who you are going to impact. Her father said Jerry Dyer was one of his 8th grade students. Dyer: he was an inspiration to me.

He was a strong man and great teacher. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree.Richardson: Karbassi is something else. don't ever tell him anything you don't want to hear later she jokes. Formulated a African American curriculum along with Carole Sarkisian. 1996-2005 we had it

available but then it was unceremoniously removed. She has seen a slow degradation connection between students since then as they are no longer in Black History classes together anymore.

Proclamation for “Anthem Blue Cross”
Sponsors: Council President Chavez He says he attended a mobile health clinic they provided. They are a true partner to our community. We were a Covid hotspot and Anthem provided testing. Janet Paine:Anthem is proud of its partnerships

and thanks Council for this proclamation. National Public Works Week Proclamation
Sponsors: Office of Mayor and City Manager
Arais: jokes after Code Enforcement Public Works is his favorite department. Dyer: Directors Scott Mozier and Mike Carbajal and crew get our infrastructure

repaired. City Manager Tommy Esqueda agrees. 24/7 and 365 they work. We have one of the most affordable utilities in the State.Dyer: Greg Barfield does double duty as FAX director and Assistant City Manager. @gregorybarfield Mozier: Public Works and Fleet consists of 1000 em-

ployees. Carbajal: during pandemic City's services continued due to our staff.Barfield: Fleet staff get all the vehicles ready to go 24/7 for these other workers to get their work done. Our Bus drivers are dedicated.

Proclamation for "Affordable Housing Month"
Sponsors: Council Vice President Esparza @D7Esparza as well as Arias and Soria. HUD recommends people don't spend more than 30% of income on rent but in Fresno it can be 50-60%.We are tackling it by increasing number of housing overall

@Esmeralda_Soria Congratulates interim Housing Authority director Angie who has worked her way up the ranks as a person of color. The authorities work this past decade has helped with homelessness. Angie: Families can pay 70% on rent and that is only f they can actually find a

place to live. They have to forgo other needed items. Thanks Authority's board. Eric Payne: CV Urban Institute @IamEricPayne Thanks Council sponsors and rest for uplifting housing affordability. Lupe Perez, Dan Zack and Sophia Perez are very helpful @plannerdanzack Thanks Mayor

for combating thinks like redlining effects. Announcement: Special Meeting today at 11 am for flag raising. Arias: received correspondence from Tower business owners who have had Proud Boys moved in front of their store fronts. Asks Mayor and PD to meet with these owners.

He does thank the PD for dialogue but many of these owners are LGBTQ+ and Proud Boys are against their lifestyles. Thanks Public Works for repaving of Olive Ave and quick responsiveness. @Maxwell4Fresno Granite Park @BeautifyFresno event last week was massive. Just keeps getting

better and better. 7 week concrete repair is getting close to done. Ben and Melissa at Discovery Center is doing a lot and will reopen soon. Also got a tour 144th stationed at Airport. New President at Fresno State has a bold vision and congratulates him. @D7Esparza United

Against Hate Rally and AAPI victims. Monday went to Roosevelt High had Civics presentation panel along with Arias and Chavez. They are our future leaders. Go Rough Riders! says Esparza (@Coldrain76 was there in 1930's) Chavez: Esparza was Professor-ish at that panel he jokes

Thanks Mayor @MayorJerryDyer for working with us on Budget with us. Fighting will come later Chavez jokes. FID MOU needed to help keep our canals cleaned. Dyer: Stop the Violence rally with families of homocide victims. He also got a tour of Fresno Pacific University. A state of

the art Performing Arts building. Kimberly McCoy named chair of new Measure P commission. City Manager: American Rescue Plan documents sent out to Council and CARES. Zero Fare continues research. Covid Committee rescind all emergency orders once Cal Osha rules. We hope to open

City Hall July 6th to the Public. Water Supply update had a proposal where people are asking to buy some of our water. Work done 5 years ago gives us these opportunties to sell water. Very unique compared to other municipalities. Arias: hopefully not sacrifice medians at neigh-

borhoods. Chavez: we want to keep Huntington Blvd and Van Ness watered. Esqueda: Governor will decide but we may be able to keep it called a Park. Public Comments: @LisaYFlores1 Council Colleague last week tried to cancel me. Bredefeld said this but my speech is a freedom of

my speech. Will council do anything about him? Or is there two versions of this? Next:Dez Martinez thanks Arias for quick work of a large unmanaged encampment homeless. People are dropping off unwanted items at Santa Clara. Furniture etc. H Spees was quick to empty dumpster en-

closures. Robert McClosky: I met a lot of young men who have carpentry skills at these encampments. Perhaps they can be trained and used to build affordable housing. Safe Camps were not mentioned at Homeless Workshop last week. No shelter beds available by City's own admission.

City has been sued on not providing sanitation etc. Next:Tyler Mackey: Tower marketing Executive. Tower Businesses support 4-C on Tower Specific Plan @MindfulMackey Next: Purchase of city fleet vehicles should be electric and electric infrastructure for them. General Plan has

been 7 years on barely anything happening on that. Next:Agrees on Tower Specific Plan. Want to be treated as any neighborhood and having zoning honored. Historical buildings were being torn down and this is reason for that plan. Agrees with Arias on businesses being targeted by

Proud Boys who were asked to leave the front of Tower Theater. They are being displaced to LGBTQ+ and black owned businesses. Next :Dottie Smith: Senior Citizens Center is included in Mayor's budget. I will be participating in that Budget Workshop. Thanks @D7Esparza as well

Gloria Hernandez: State Law gives Attorney General to go after Notario Publico but I have a hard time seeing the money will be available to enforce. @LovesMercy Brandi: Travel Inn shelter is coming up soon. During this homeless crisis there are elderly that are vulnerable but

don't live on freeway and thus are not a priority for shelter beds. Shelters in all districts would be better too.Seeking shelter first model. I agree with @LisaYFlores1 with her earlier statements. Commends those working on SW Specific and West Plans.They do a great job.

Contested Consent: 1-H Staff Bryan: Purchase of work vehicles. Electrical Vehicle infrastructure is ripe now. We have 14 in fleet. Ford just announced `F150 vehicles.Manufacturing is increasing. Long range plan to electrify all of our fleets. Already happening at bus fleet.

Step one is long range plan. Arias:Fresno Bee building doesn't have any vehicle electrification part of that Staff Bryan: Phase 1 hired engineering firm and work with PG&E . Waiting for contracts and electric chargers is 3-4 year process. More products out there. Serious power

needed at municipal level. PD hybrids are already in use and see how they perform. Arias:All future purchases need to be hybrid. PD vehicles tend to idle all day due to equipment inside.Bryan:local dealership participation has been tough. Hard to get a bid. Their business plan

are you are a fleet provider or you are not. High volumes but low margins of profit. Some don't want to return $500 bid required. @GarryBredefeld oversight by these dealers. Asleep at these dealerships. Soria:Agreed with Arias' points. Also delay due to waiting for local deal-

erships. It is frustrating as our dollars are leaving for other communities. Past City Manager Bruce Rudd did not want to electrify our bus fleets has set us back decades. Glad to see there has been changes with @gregorybarfield @kmkarbassi Where are vehicles registered? A:93706

Karbassi:We need to talk to Lexus dealer as to why they don't want to bid. @gregorybarfield We are planning this year to install electrification of old Bee building. Hydrogen facility is being built. Karbassi: how safe are electric PD vehicles? Response times? Barfield:Fremont

was given a Tesla and it ran out of power during a pursuit. That is why we are waiting for new technology.Hoping bugs are worked out before buying. Chavez:Not sure PD needs to be hybrid. There is a slight lag when engine starts. Approved

1-I Bredefeld asks about disparity of vehicles costs. Staff:one is built for airport use. Approved. Next:Shotspotter items. Arias: What is best return on our investments? 2015 started as $100,000 pilot but now $2 million. Shootings are up. Sq. miles haven't been increased. Only a

15% case being opened in responding to this technology. PD Chief :Greatly helps in a city like Fresno in an area with 110 sq miles. We respond due to all shotspotter calls as some of these neighborhoods won't ever call. There have been some high profile arrests with this tech

Arias: Is the goal to lower shootings using this? Not working. Chief:area where it is located allows PD to find victims and crime data where it wouldn't have been found. @Maxwell4Fresno Shotspotter allowed us to find shell casings with this tech from when he worked on Civilian

side. Chief:Some business owners have offered to expand spotshotter coverage. Tech can detect it down to 6 inches. We can start getting video coverage as well. 6 officers for 3 years could be hired with same $2 million says @MayorJerryDyer in response to Arias question. We waited

until technology got down to 10 feet narrowed area. Shotspotter can give direction of shooter. 70% of shotspotter cases did not have a corresponding 911 call associated with it. We placed it where most shootings occurred which was 10-15% of the city. Arias: I would like to see

how many of these cases led to a conviction. With our budget coming and this is 3 year contact. Can we continued this until after budget. Karbassi: I am against continuing. I did a ride along and call for shooting occurred due to shotspotter before 911 calls came in. False choice

of choosing between more officers or more shotspotter. Does this cover Bullard High Area? Chief: Central and some south part of town. Karbassi: Can this info be passed onto Bullard High staff if there is a shooting there? Even if School Board won't pay for shotspotter I will

encourage it to cover Bullard High. This is a hill i will die on. Can we get a dollar amount to cover this area? Chief: it is time sensitive. Maxwell: I am supportive with this technology. I am fine if Councilmembers need more time to find funding. Esqueda:we would hope to vote

on this now and then come back with cost to expand. Deputy Chief Reed: Fresno Unified contact has lapsed since November. These items will cover this now. Arias: most of us haven't heard Mayor's budget. Maxwell:perhaps pass 1-Q today on backpay and table the other 1-P. Arias: Can

add the request to get arrest data? Espaza: concerned PD is reaching out to council as to where shotspotter goes. Needs necessary data metrics and not hunch by a councilmember where he wants it to go. Chavez:i was with school board when we brought this on. an educator was shot at

Edison High at night. We needed a way to reduce crime. We can't let criminals know where spotshotter is actually covering as criminals will avoid it. It isn't perfect. Dyer:this is correct. We need to have it data driven. Invite all to come to real time crime center to see how

this technology works. Spotshotter is notified if a shot was missed to change how sound is detected. Maxwell:I agree with Esparza that we don't put Shotspotter up willy nilly. Karbassi:I agree with Esparza using data. Ironic that the one area where spotshotter is most used does

not want this tech. I am happy to take Arias' portion for my district. Arias: we can't write a blank check without knowing what the goals are and performance metrics. When we debated Advanced Peace everyone wanted performance metrics before we fund. Same with this tech then.

karbassi: how we pay for it? with hard earned money of taxpayers. Citizens number 1 concern is for public safety. Approved

10:05 Hearing regarding a proposed Development Agreement by and between the City of Fresno and Lennar Homes of California, Inc. relating to the development of the final two phases of Vesting Tentative Tract Map 5232 (Council District 5) Approved with no discussion.

3-A PowerPoint 21-1855 Workshop - for CARES Spending
Sponsors: Finance Department

Financial Department head Michael Lima with report. $97 million allocated by 6/30/2020 Bulk went to public safety salaries. $54 million for that. Do we still have the extra $3 million to spend ? No. Already committed. Our expenditure rate has been good. We spent 96% by May 14

End of December extended deadline of December 30. Arias: we were able to keep our essential employees to continue to work so they didn’t feel a hit. 1/3 went to PD. Public Safety is a top priority. We will have remainder of 3.7 million spent by end of this year Karbassi: how many

Police officers died of Covid? A: 2. Karbassi : want their families to know they didn’t die in vain. Lima: PD hit $36 million FD: $16 m. Bulk of the reimbursement. Public safety got $54 million. Federal gov said these could be safely considered as Covid mitigation. Arias: when we

Agreed to increase testing Fresno County was not making enough tests so we agree to pay for UCSF to do that. Retention Grants awarded to cover rent, mortgage and utilities.

Soria: Council should be proud of its leadership along with CBOs help to get an additional $1 million. Travel Inn purchased too. Community Centers upgraded and rehabilitated.

Micro farmers Farm to Family grant. $4.1 million for City Covid expenditures. IT expenditures may have longest lasting effect going forward.

$1.8 million in reimbursed still. Airports got $13 million for Covid relief. Could be used for any use including revenue loss. Airport has drawn down $7.7 million of their fund. Some used for debt service. FAX service was able to continue without reduction. 18 months of BRT

after exhaustion of CMAQ funding. Lima thanks finance staff. Arias: thanks former Mayor Lee Brand and Tim Orman fir allowing this to happen as plane was built while flying. Councilmembers all brought their own relief efforts as they know their neighborhoods. Council will break

until 1:30.

Back from their lunch break at 1:39 pm 4-B Ordinance (for introduction) – Creating the Mobilehome Parks Act, FMC sections 10-1901 – 10-1910. Pursuant to HCD approval, the city shall be the enforcement agency as
defined by section 18207 of the Health and Safety Code and will

assign the
responsibility for the enforcement of the Acts to the city’s Code Enforcement
Division (Division). The Division shall provide qualified personnel for the actual enforcement of the Acts. Code Enforcement will assign four code
enforcement inspectors to carry out the

duties and responsibilities of the Act
Sponsors: Councilmember Bredefeld, Office of Mayor and City Manager. Bredefeld says jim Patterson will look to State budget to refund City for cost of 4 new code enforcement officers. Dyer: gives us local control. One government entity

allows less miscommunication. Public:says we need to abide by Housing Element that contains Mobile Home Parks which are one of the last affordable housing options. @LovesMercy Brandi: thank you fro creating this and advocating for those in mobile parks. Gloria Martinez agrees

Approved with no discussion.
4-C The Specific Plan adopted 30 years ago is in need of an update to reflect changes in land use, new
growth and current economic development.
The committee membership of the proposed Tower District Specific Plan Implementation Committee
(the

Committee) will consist of seven members appointed by the Councilmembers of Districts 1 and 3
and the Mayor. Committee members will be tasked with recommending updates for final approval by the City Council and upon adoption of an updated Specific Plan will become the updated

Specific
Plan’s implementation committee. @kieltls Strongly supports this. South Tower District needs to have more focus this time. Some don't have resources to do necessary design requirements but developers do. Next: Felicia: Specific Plan needs to be looked at. Need to look

the neighborhoods as far as composition of committee. @LovesMercy I am in favor of this, Invested members to over see is needed to make our district what it needs to be. @LisaYFlores1 This is a wonderful thing. A more equitable look at south of Olive is needed too. I hope you get

funding with quality staffing . Approved

4-A Power Point Workshop - Presentation from Fuego FC, Selland Arena Property.
Sponsors: City Council, Office of Mayor and City Manager
Dirk Poeschel: Valdez Hall has $18 million in deferred maintenance on top of $1 million a yearWe want this to be a place for all people to use.

Professional sports provides $4 m a year to city. We don’t need financial assistance from city. We have funding. Fresno Fuego is part of local and is family based function. Chris Wilson: Fuego Franchise leads to amazing for the valley and make downtown fresno an entertainment hub

We could work with @CMACTV to train youth. CIF partnership. 50 full thank me jobs. Non profit foundation is being developed. Owner says his motivation was when he saw fresno families having to drive to give their children a place to compete.please give me opportunity to do this.

Chavez: thanks them for the presentation. We will be having some discussions during Closed Session on this.

3-C D 21-22545 Presentation of Mayor's Proposed Fiscal Year 2022 Budget
Sponsors: Office of Mayor and City Manager
@esparza_nelson mentions today is first time Mayor brought cookies. Mayor notes: today Esparza are three of those cookies.

We have low unemployment numbers based on other parts of california. Vacancy rates in PD made it hard to reduce crime.

I have given PD chief to hire more officers. Funding for Shotspotter. Advanced Peace is not mentioned in this budget but I am determined to find that with a variety of sources. Fire Department staffing is too low to keep up with 60% increase in fires. Federal SAFER grant will

fund increase in firefighters. Drill Schools still need to be funded. Homeless effort :broadened partnership with project offramp. Sanitation crews will act in a support form. PD won’t be first line of contact. Volunteer cleanup , tree trimming , graffiti cleanup is on its way.

Graffiti spread this past year so 3 new teams will be added as well as an agreement with Cal Trans will allow graffiti teams to access freeway. "We work for You Culture" Fresno has the hottest housing market. We have to have a more streamlined permitting process to build more

housing. Main issue is not enough staff in planning and inspectors. Two administrators are being hired to rectify the issues with FASTER technology . Concierge being developed. Hate Crimes against Asian Americans. We are diverse in cultures. 2022 an office that will reflect that.

More interpreters are being hired. Some of this budget will help get through design concepts for Senior Center. We will have $667,000 additional to be divided over the 7 council districts. Dyer thanks his entire team. Mike Lima and Henry Fierro as well. We have a few months to

fine tune this budget. Camp Fresno will get some funding. $23 million in American Rescue Plan was found that can be used for equipment. Also Measure P dollars that can complement this budget. @GarryBredefeld Appreciate the budget. I have voted against most budgets as there was

not enough for public safety. This budget does. I still need to see results from Advanced Peace. Dyer: we want PD to not be on forefront of homeless contact. Senior Center v multi-gen center. We are replacing it with Senior Center. A refurbished building could be less expensive

but Dyer doesn't have a preference. @D7Esparza This is a good solid starting point. Housing issue and more planners/inspectors. I have hesitation due to a need for a deeper probe on this. Dyer:system structure, culture and technology was addressed. Entitlements are off the charts

so staffing will pay off big for city. I like that Council priorities are being looked at like Advanced Peace. We all want to end up in the same place but debate on how to get there. @MiguelArias_D3 Public Works, Housing and parks will be my focus. Affordable Housing is no longer

affordable. Graffiti team currently gets tags removed within 24 hours. Adding 3 more crews may be elite status. Perhaps money could be used in other department.Also how does PD budget being spent? Customer Service needs to be looked at. How fast or does an officer arrive?

We have 30 days to look thru this budget. This bailout from federal government is unprecedented. We need to spend this well. Dyer:Only 5% of graffiti is being removed. We need everyone to be eyes and ears. Karbassi:This budget is different than last year's. We all have our pas-

-sions.We are in a good budget standing with mayor Brand's work. Energy Saving options such as lighting can save us 10-15 years. @Maxwell4Fresno Public Safety. Crime has skyrocketed. When we give Advanced Peace scraps and we expect great changes. 115 sq miles but average FAX

rider lives in sqaulor. Dyer: Reduced shootings is an unfair metric for Advanced Peace as there is too many variables. MAGEC agrees Advanced Peace works.Bredefeld: there needs to real study on Advanced Peace. There needs to be some metric. If MAGEC says that than i am happy. If

Advanced Peace works I will be their biggest fan. @Esmeralda_Soria I will be asking lots of questions on budget line items. Revenue increase came from State and Federal dollars. This allows us to have reserves. There are some issues I am very passionate about. Homelessness effort

needs to prioritize kids. Not one child should be homeless before we prioritize adults. Public Transit/zero fare. I want to be sure your budget finds a path to that. Lifetime opportunity to make investments into our community that can be transforming. Dollars coming to Transit

needs to change Fresno in 10 years. Redlining and policies made it near impossible for some to be a success. Graffiti: we need to invest in young artist to paint murals on these very walls that are being tagged. Dyer:60 kids were housed in one week who were homeless.Governor is

sending funds for homeless in the Fall. I agree on murals. Public Works have additional employees and some will be for parks and Measure P. Chavez: We are not going to be here June 30 working on the details. We will be meeting in a room beforehand to do that. This money is trans-

forming. I can remember past budgets where we were looking at ways to refill ink cartridges to save a small amount as our budget was so limited. Dyer:Once in a lifetime chance to change our city. Beautify our parks. Moving on to our Emergency Meeting now: Soria:bring a flag and

lighting outside City Hall in honor of group. City Attorney Sloan says Councilmemember or Mayor can bring forth a ceremonial item and not have to be approved by rest. Bredefeld: if a councilmember finds something inappropriate? Sloan:Standard is set forward. Up to Council to de-

termines what that is our standard. Bredefeld:any flags that promote religious groups? Sloan:cannot be done due to federal law and will be taken case by case. Soria:currently Sloan makes determine it . Here Council can do it. Bredefeld:How about we only fly American , Fresno and

POW flag? CORRECTION: City Manager determines what flag flies currently. Soria:In past Council banned Confederate Flag to ever fly here. This gives us as Council to determine what flies and not City Manager.Bredefeld:There will be a problem with this language. Has there been an

issue with City Manager? We will have to be offensive police with this language. I can't support this. Chavez:Case law on graphic; What is that? Sloan:Boston case law determined that. Chavez:I will never disagree with someone's right to express themselves. If a council member

wants to fly a flag they can without other councilmembers signing on. They can take the heat. I would be more comfortable with that. Dyer:Can a state/country flag that has a religious symbol on it can be flown?Sloan :yes. City may create a peace flag pole. Dyer: I am about one

Fresno but I worry about excluding people. Arias:Front of City Hall is a Free Speech area. That is why protests and rallies occur there. Even baptized in fountain. This City is inclusive. Dyer: When we exclude religious flags we are having issues. Soria: we are here due to Dyer

you had an issue to fly the Pride flag. Dyer:(angry)that is not true. I don't want to have people raising MAGA etc and then we are no longer One Fresno. He apologizes to Soria for getting angry at her. (much calmer now)Chavez:we can not exclude people and if we are going down

that rabbit hole we are tearing down our country. Dyer: I am in favor of signing on to pride month proclamation. But as we look at excluding people that is where we have problems.Chavez: I prefer a single councilmember have the right. Karbassi: We were speaking to LGBTQ+ people

about their issues with housing. Israel or Vatican flags? Ok My home county homeland Iran would be an issue from the country's murder. Could we put a pro-life or a pro-choice flag up? Chavez: that is the issue. We should leave it up to each councilmember to make the choice to put

a flag up or not. @Maxwell4Fresno This is debate on those worrying about slippery slope OR opening up the flood gates. I don't want to dedicate more City infrastructure to flag poles etc. I am ready for the vote now. Bredefeld: we will rue the day we vote for this will cause

people to get angry and divisive. Councilmembers will get pressure to put a flag up from a certain groups. Sloan: Maxwell's Call for Question limits debate. Bredefeld:this will make council the police of what is appropriate or not. City manager: First flag request I have received

all these questions came into my head. Sloan told me that i made sole determination. I thought either I won't allow any flags OR allow every flag.We don't want a flag put up it causes flag to be pulled down or shot at. Need rules. City Manager or Council makes the determination

Arias:I am a Catholic. Council is one of few groups that opens with prayer. Half my constituents don't like that as country is half atheists. I am uncomfortable participating in the opening prayer but I do as other councilmembers want to do so. Karbassi:Language has been changed

so any councilmember can bring a flag. What if someone objects?sloan: language as objective as possible.I have crafted some models for you. If councilmembers voted that the flag is objectionable it would be removed. (sloan states some language) Karbassi:Faith based communities

who was celebrating a Day can they? Sloan:state constitution is tougher than Federal Constitution. Karbassi:separate flag for this out front? Sloan: A permanent flag pole can be done legally. City Manager: it can be physically done.Chavez: can we continue this item as we just got

this yesterday. Soria: I would like a vote today. Need to codify the rules. Bredefeld:Most government bodies has a prayer in it. Public: @LisaYFlores1 Thank you Soria. There is a separation of church and state even though you have "In God We Trust" behind you. Not all of you walk

the christian way. I am all in favor of flying the Pride Flag. Next:Ruben Can you fly the satanic flag? I think we should only fly the three current flag. Pride people have always been able to protest out there. Are you going to debate these every week? Next:Gloria Hernandez:

pray for those you pray to. A separate flag pole sounds discriminatory. Pride Flag flew during Meet in the Middle event quite a few years ago. Next: a bisexual businesswoman says i am appalled we are debating this. We are One Fresno. We have a huge population of LGBTQ+. We should

put this flag up. @LovesMercy Brandi: Langauge was updated. I support that change. Karbassi:Can we clarify we can't put up a religious flag? Slaon:short of changing State and Federal constitution No. Vote :Approved 5-2 with Chavez and Bredefeld voting No

Council going to Closed Session before returning on Cell Tower item.

10:10 ****ID 21-5745 HEARING to Consider Conditional Use Permit Application No. P20-01589 and related Environmental Assessment No. P20-01589 for a project site located at 5747 North Palm Avenue; located on the south side of an existing retail/commercial center at the southwest

corner of North Palm and West Bullard Avenues, (Council District 2) – Planning & Development Department.1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. P20-01589, dated March 17, 2021, a determination that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)

hrough Section 15303/Class 3 and Section 15332/Class 32 Categorical Exemptions: and,
2. DENY the appeal and UPHOLD the action of the Planning and Development Department Director to approve Conditional Use Permit ApplicationNo. P20-01589 requesting to construct a new 80-foot tall

mono-eucalyptus telecommunications tower and facility with associated ground equipment. Karbassi: Needed for 5-G network. Applicant: no reliable coverage in that area nor buildings is could be placed.Too many parcels are zoned single family and not commercial. This is the best

option. Karbassi: I am not happy applicant mentioned me and ShotSpotter. (Angry) Verizon tried to push a project next to a School without letting residents know. This is in your own selfish reasons. Trying to sue us into submission.

Applicants lawyer wants Karbassi recused. Karbassi asks Sloan for determination says no. Lawyer: your code and staff agrees with this. Sloan : Planning Commission tied on Karbassi appeal so a technical denial. Karbassi: typically companies comes in early and meets with residents.

This company has tried to prevent me from being up here and not represent my constituents.

Why were you not able to work with ATT and Sprint? Verizon: landlord wouldn’t allow us to build at the same site as the others.

Karbassi: is it not feasible but not cost effective ? A : a city of Fresno policy. Karbassi: cost issue we take your word for it. Verizon had a large revenue. A $ million per employee in profit. Yet you try to bully us with lawsuits into submission. City Attorney’s office :

Planning Commission voted as a tie. So it was technically approved. Verizon feels they are automatically approved due to a federal law. We are three days past. Karbassi: this appears to take our council’s authority. Verizon: we extended our time so it could go to Planning Com

mission. Karbassi: And now when I appealed to Council you can’t extend again? I tried to work with you but now my constituents are going to have to see a third cell tower in their neighborhood. Chavez: motion to approve. Arias seconds. Karbassi: if we vote No today? Sloan: Veri-

Zon would continue with their lawsuit. Public: Dennis Stubblefield : we are one block form this terrible tower. Next:alex: @AROC_TIA they claim to try to avoid neighborhoods. Realistically this isn’t the most feasible. They said they couldn’t use some sites as they were 50’ from

Homes. This neighborhood is even closer but Verizon can’t use that same determination here ? Petition was signed by all two neighbors and one works for Verizon. They have enough money to relocate. Verizon has yet to speak to us. Cary Catalano is doing outreach and he isn’t even

registered. This will impact all of you and not just us here in north Fresno. Please vote for the neighborhood. Next: Ruben I was a long time Verizon customer. I get good coverage. Nobody from Verizon spoke to us. They have enough money to buikd elsewhere or even underground.

They can’t even have a neighborhood meeting with us? This is a County Island. It shouldn’t have gone to City Council. Karbassi: applicant wanted to speak to me as their contact was unregistered (Catalono). The do things by the book. I am Appealing to your better nature. I should

but have to be forced to vote No. approved 5-2 with Karbassi and Bredefeld voting No. Council returns to rest of Closed Council. 5-H CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION - Government Code Section
54956.9, subdivision (d)(1) Terance Frazier, et al. v. City of Fresno,

5-I CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION - Government Code Section
54956.9, subdivision (d)(1) Pismo’s of Fresno, LLC, et al. v. City of Fresno, et al.; Fresno County
Superior Court Case No.: 20CECG03646

JUNE 03, 2021 – NO MEETING
JUNE 10, 2021 – 9:00 A.M. MEETING

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