Thread by @AndyHS

June 30,2022 Fresno City Council meeting! Among the items include Budget items; Proposed pay raises for Mayor and Councilmembers;Parkway Inn homeless shelter conversion;Measure C New Technology Grant; Tower Theater Closed Session item;#Fresno

Among the Consent Agenda items:1-B Award an Agreement for 25 Axon Body 3 Flex Body Worn -Video Cameras, with unlimited Data Storage and related services; Authorize the Director of the Airport or Designee to execute this agreement

1-C BILL B-16 (Intro'd 6/23/2022)(For Adoption) - Amending Administrative Abatement, Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) Section 10-616

1-E Approving the Development Agreement by and between the City of Fresno and Parc West Development, Inc. for purposes of the Parc West Project, pertaining to 160 acres of property located on the west side of North Grantland Ave between West Ashlan Ave& W Gettysburg Ave alignment

1-F Actions pertaining to using the Parkway Inn located at 959 N. Parkway Drive, Fresno 93728, as an interim low-barrier homeless shelter: 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines 2.

Approve a Repair Services Agreement with the Fresno Housing Authority not to exceed $5,406,505 (District 3)

1-G RESOLUTION - Adopt the 569th Amendment to the Master Fee Schedule Resolution No. 80-420 to adjust various fees in the Police Department (Subject to Mayor's Veto

1-H Authorizing the Submission of Grant Applications to the Fresno Council of Governments 2022/23 Measure C New Technology Reserve Grant Program for Advanced Transit and Transportation Projects Totaling Up to $4.4 Million in Requests for Funding

Agenda for Today's meeting:

Watch the festivities live beginning at 9 am @CMACTV cmac.tv/gov/

@fresnoland fresnoland.org

Also on Consent Agenda:1-J BILL B-17 (Intro'd 6/23/2022)(For Adoption) - Creating the Tenant Relocation Benefits Following City Order To Vacate Due To Immediate Health And Safety Risk Ordinance, FMC section 11-338 (Subject to Mayor's Veto

Meeting begins 9:07. All Councilmembers present.Invocation by Reza Nekumanesh from the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno

1-K Salary increase has been moved to Contested Consent by @Maxwell4Fresno. 1-G moved to Contested by @MiguelArias_D3 He also tables 10 AM #1 to July 21 meeting.

Proclamation for Patsy Montgomery by @Esmeralda_Soria She has been a fearless advocate for Reproductive Justice and expanding healthcare. Safe places for LGBTQ created. Montegomery :there is much to be done. We were at City Hall in 1971 when Planned Parenthood -Fresno.Looking

forward to what the new leadership will bring. Soria:we are in tough times as we all know.

@MiguelArias_D3 Thanks rest of councilmembers for the fun regarding salary races he jokes. @D7Esparza Last day of June so I want to wish everyone Happy Pride! No other councilmembers with any reports today which is unusual.

First Up with Unscheduled Public Comments is Mary Padilla:We don't thank God for anything. We have murders.Fernando:You are giving yourselves a raise but more like a gouging. PD should be getting a raise.The wrath of God is upon you.

@LisaYFlores1 via Zoom:Happy 4th but I won't be celebrating as I am now a Second Class citizen. She sobs as she reads relatives who fought and /or died in Military. I can go toe to toe with you Garry @GarryBredefeld as I am a degree on the wall too. We are now just cattle.I am

glad I live in California. Zachary Taylor:Money should be to developing people's skills so they can get a job that fits their personality and abilities.

Deborah:I am homeless. Just because I fell on hard times doesn't mean I am lesser. Homeless taskforce has left out the :humanity" part.PD doesn't need more money. PD officer took it upon himself to dump all my possessions. How does that make me feel?How will it be replaced?

Caring and Sharing is what we need to teach our youth. Natalie Torres:There is always an excuse not to have room for you in the shelter. John Collier:HART Taskforce threw away all my possessions. I asked them to put them in storage. It wasn't up to them. I was assaualted by one

of the HART officers. They threaten to take my dogs away. I spent $180 to get my dogs back. Brandi:@LovesMercy I pass out water etc everyday and it is heartbreaking to see homeless being displaced by HART in 104 Degree weather.They just get moved but there is no place to go.

No shelters to go to! The job programs is the way to go.Get people into Tiny Houses. I don't know how many died due to heat wave.They need permanent jobs.The sweeps are just moving people from one place to another.

Approved rest of Consent Agenda 7-0.
1-G ***RESOLUTION - Adopt the 569th Amendment to the Master Fee Schedule Resolution No. 80-420 to adjust various fees in the Police Department (Subject to Mayor's Veto) Arias:Registration fees have gone up. I will make motion to approve the

remainder of this bill and have Administration come back with new registration costs. Approved 7-0

1-K BILL B-18 (Intro'd 6/23/2022)(For Adoption) - Repealing Ordinance No. 2018-67 of the Fresno Municipal Code and adopting an ordinance setting forth the compensation of elective officers (Subject to Mayor's Veto).
@Maxwell4Fresno Lots of feedback from Community after we intro-

-duced this last week. Many thought Council needs a payraise but not as much as proposed. We had thought tying it to Supervisors' Salary. We have come back with a more modest raise. @LuisCha70215912 Our most important job is to listen to community. No secret we have some of the

best paid PD, Fire, and staff in California.We want to look at rest of State's council pay and go from there.Clerk:admend:$92,000 will be starting in 2023 $111,000 beginning in 2024. Mayor will be $164,000 beginning in 2024.Escalate from there until stopped by vote,

@MayorJerryDyer I would like to cap increase after 2023 raise. Chavez:Lists other large cities pay schedule. eg Sacramento is $99,000. @kmkarbassi This was an opportunity to learn. My electorate reached out to me. They wanted a more reasonable plan. It was important that it met

various metrics. @MiguelArias_D3 I want to go before Garry! Former County Superintendent Larry Powell said he would not take his $200,000 salary but left out he was pulling down $300 K from pension. Our PD get $70 an hour which is $134K. We pay more than other valley cities for

Fire Department pay. We spent hours scrutinizing our various department heads but County Supervisors spent total of 4 hours.90% of Supervisors budget are pass through so they only over see 10% yet get paid near $200K. We have multiple commissions we sit on. We do much more than

Supervisors.They are proposing Measure C next week. I had to go to many rural cities to discuss rural transportation during our budget hearings. I know Supervisors don't due that.We are up at 3 am working on budget. Supervisors don't do that.

@GarryBredefeld I appreciate the Council's work to get to this better place. I know the other councilmembers work hard. But salary raises and how it happens is important.A 69% raise or like this amended proposal of 15 % but it goes up to 35% over the years.We had a raise in 2018

It is deserved but this raise seems hefty.We should let voters get a chance to speak on it. Some Councilmembers were just elected in June and then they proposed this raise. Supervisors are tied to judges salaries since 1994. It is a scam and never have to propose a raise. It is a

scam. It needs to be changed after 3 decades. Media needs to bring that up. The Council job is about service and not hefty salary. This new raise is still high and should have been in front of the voters first. Nelson:Mayor's job is tough and last mayor was chewed up in a year.

Dyer may not be elected to a second term so I don't want to limit the possible new mayor's salary. Dyer:I spent 40 years in PD and have a sizable pension. Those on council do not get a pension and need to raise a family. I thanked Council for looking at a more moderate pay raise

compared to other cities. This is a complex city and they put in a lot of work on the budget.This will be first pay raise in five years.I wanted to cap mayor raise as I do have the pension. Maybe if I lose next mayor could get the increase. Karbassi:If we leave this at cap can

Mayor or Council return raise? City Attorney:Yes that can be done. @MayorJerryDyer Will Garry return his new raise too? Bredfeld:That is a NO. Esparza:I was surprised at some of the community response to the raise. I would like to see some of that outrage to the Supervisors pay

as well.APPROVED 5-2 with Mayor's cap removed . Soria and Bredefeld vote NO.

4-A RESOLUTION - Initiating a General Plan Amendment and Rezone of Real Property located on North Emerson Avenue between North Marks Avenue and North West Avenue.Soria:This will be a linear park. It is used by Community but we would like walkway, benches etc Public Comment:Mary

Padilla:Why don't we take advantage of the government gives us for homeless and have them work the land. we no longer have any values.Next:Fernando:Why don't you all run for supervisors seats? @LisaYFlores1 Thanks Soria for expanding green space. I am sorry she won't

get that payraise but I will make you tamales. IS this park where the high electrical wires are? APPROVED 7-0

Moving onto Budget Items. @gawhitefresno Thanks Council for the budget questions and clarity. She also thanks the city staff too.Staff was here until 3 am last night such as Henry Fierro and others.Public:Gloria Hernandez:special project with $400,000? I don't know what that pro-

-ject is ?Arias:For Christmas Parade etc. This used to be in multiple pots but now in just one. @LisaYFlores1 With Council raise the person who runs cleaning the City Hall microphones deserves hazardous pay? About 10 K Next :Gabriel Lozano:I am from Responsible SE Fresno group

I agree with Arias in that commitment to service means you give up family time and child development.I am 55 years old watering the new 40 acre park trees. I felt like I was back in grapefields. Council is the "brand" and I am the "generic". I am asking you support the SEFCEDA

proposals. I am days from living in the street due to rent. I won't complain. Next Astrid Morales:We are the majority but treated like minority. We need community based solutions to get more affordable housing. Community workers also work hard but they don't have the luxury of a

payraise.Think about your community. Next Kimberly McCoy of Building Healthy Communites. Residents spoke about better transportation, Advanced Peace, ARPA dollars to neighborhoods.These comments were not heard.What is a priority is a raise for council.

Karla Martinez of @LCJandA We still need more funding for affordable housing.All taken from Here to Stay report.Council has let to speak on that. Next:@LovesMercy Vendor safety fund but I continued to ask for housing. Also Advanced Peace needs to be on budget.Lived Experience

Committee. $10 M for HART should be used for other homeless issues like mental health training.@kieltls Our Economic Development needs to be funded for mixed use. We don't want the industrial vision that is currently in place.

@elpedronie 70% increase in compassion is needed. Housing needs a lot more.Outside investors are driving up the cost of rents.Need incentive to be locally owned.I hope council is looking to what they wanted as a child. Next:Cindy: Was raise proposal adding anything to keep

council from being able to raise their own raise. I agree 15% raise followed by 3% increments.Nextz :SEFCEDA's Jose Bacerra Thanks Chavez and Esparza for the vision. Non-profits are needed in Economic Development. Next:We need to transform lives to create compassion for displaced

The $2 M is good but $6 M needed annually. The previously incarcerated need jobs. Dez Martinez:the advocates who spoke before me and they bring new ways to reach the council.They are asking we all come together and reach a median. Nobody likes to get down and dirty with home-

-less and gang members. Those in suits they all run from but they don't with these advocates. Where are these portable showers?? I am also worry about the Special Service Projects just will end up in PD's pocket. We will be watching. Anna Madrano:I am against the pay raise.

They are insulting for the homeless and impoverished children. Next:Ruben Espinosa:I feel the same sentiment for the raises. We are struggling and it embarrassed to come here but now you vote for a payraise? Ends Public Comments.

Esparza:Motion to adopt budgets on June 23 items 1-99. We have now balanced the budget as required by Charter. This will override the previous budget. Arias:79 of the 99 budget items are approved here. Housing and homeless are main issues. This budget creates 16 positions to in-

-spects shelters in a new housing division. Parks maintenance for 18 parks to be speedily repaired. Gun Violence reduction will have $900,000 that was in Advanced Peace and additional $500,000. Also millions for city owned parking structures. Repairing roads outside Veterans

housing. Investment into older neighborhoods.$500,000 for Mobile Food vendors. They did not qualify for many funding for essential workers. Additional money to put cameras in mobile vendors carts/trucks for safety.@Esmeralda_Soria Thanks everyone involved in budget. My last one.

I want to make sure some of my projects get funded and completed after I leave. Fire Station 12 costs? @gawhitefresno This won't cover entire cost.We will be sitting down with staff to see where funding can come from.We think we are in the ballpark in General Fund.Within weeks we

be discussing this. 100% cannot be covered by Impact Fees so general funds needed too.Soria:This is a much needed project and the longer we wait the more expensive it will be.White:If we can fund the remainder can be paid with impact fees than we are good. If not we will have to

look at Bond measures.Soria:we have a good bond rating due to us being diligent.Regional Training project, Station 10 and Station 12 and then we will know the splits needed.Soria:Quigley Park $4 M request by me. White:Nothing for Quigley.There is some non-designated for each

council districts. Perhaps that could pay for first phase.Soria:Emerson Median Island carryover funding? White:we typically have to do designing Soria: so now $250K from Soria's $1 M request in 2022? $300 K for parks go very far? White:It will allow us to start now and get 40

parks greened up. It will be over $500,000. It will get irrigation repairs done. Department Head:Dickey Park has got Bermuda for summer and over winter seeding with Rye.White:tree trimming crews added.

Soria:Hiring more officers. We also have an old fire station on Cornelia and Swift. If we are not using it can it be rented or sold? White:we are looking at renting small office for PD writing locations.Soria:when I started on council i was lone advocate for youth jobs but now we

have seen investment from Mayor and others.There are a bright opportunities in Fresno.I will be supporting the final budget. @LuisCha70215912 That concludes Soria's Greatest Hits Volume 1 he jokes. Esparza:i thought she said "lastly" five times! Chavez:This is the best budget we

have ever had.Sidewalks in older neighborhoods and park funding. We may be in a recession next year so we need to be mindful of that.Homeless, renters and immigrants are being funded as well as Seniors food. Also Veterans Memorial District is coming together. @kmkarbassi Unpre-

dented funding for District 2. slurry seal on streets, Pinedale, raise money for reserves too.NO new cops , no new budget was my mantra last budget. We are doing the right direction. PD and dispatchers are among the highest pay now.Anti-Street racing Team

City Clerk:reading into record correction regarding Transportation Department that was left out in some of the paperwork. @GarryBredefeld Thanks staff for their hardwork. I am supporting this as it beefs up our law enforcement.I want not only my district but all 7 districts need

help and I am happy to help with this budget.@Maxwell4Fresno ARPA and Measure P immensely helped this budget. We have worked with @MayorJerryDyer and he has met with us several times. We will see a quality of life improvement no matter where you live in Fresno. 36 new PD Officers

including PD Bike team in District 4. More firefighters, dispatchers and new 911 center.$2.4 M for more tree trimming.1000 new trees to be planted.Reduced blight in corridors.Neighborhood Parks in older neighborhoods became less of a plus but with this budget we will change that.

This is a more compassionate budget with helping people move to better rentals. Zero fares for Vets, Seniors and youth under 12. Kaiser Permanente has helped fund this. New Senior Center as well as new animal shelter.Esaprza:recuse myself from one item due to location near my

home.$40 M for housing and Mayor was on board this year with that. Roll Call Vote:

@MayorJerryDyer Thanks all 7 Councilmembers. This is what One Fresno is about. Your tough questions makes us better.I have a rockstar City Manager in @gawhitefresno It is good to see putting our community and neighborhoods first with this budget. I will have a news conference now

CLOSED SESSION
Tabled :5-D CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(2): Case Name: Verizon Wireless vs. City of Fresno.

5-E CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code 54956.9(d)(1); Existing Litigation: J & A Mash & Barrel, LLC. v. Superior Court of Fresno County. Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2); Claim by Adventure Church against City of Fresno dated May 4, 2022.

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: 809 E Olive Ave; Negotiating Parties: City Manager, Lawrence Abbate; Under Negotiation: Terms and Conditions of Property Acquisition

NEXT MEETING July 21, 2022 (only meeting in July)

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