Thread by @AndyHS

Fresno City Council February 9th meeting!

Among the items include a WORKSHOP on Road Pavement Management;Appearance by former Councilman Brian Calhoun to discuss status of traffic and pedestrian safety improvements for W. Audubon Drive;Among Consent Agenda items is ONCE AGAIN the Fire Department staffing (SAFER) grant…

…award for $7,246,600 (which keeps getting removed from agenda); $1,500,0000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation. #Fresno

Among the CONSENT AGENDA
1-C Approve the appointment of Isaiah Green (Resident of District 4) to the Fresno Housing Authority for a term ending April 30, 2026.

1-D Approve the Second Amendment to the Animal Control Services Agreement between the City of Fresno and Fresno Humane Animal Services to allow the City to advance a second one-time payment of $300,000 for a total of $600,000 for future reimbursements (cash account.)

1-G Approve an award of $1,500,0000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (FAHF) and authorize City Manager or designee to negotiate and sign an agreement for services.

1-I RESOLUTION - Authorize the acceptance of 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant award for $7,246,600 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and authorize the Fire Chief to complete all required documents (Subject to Mayor's Veto)

1-K Approve Consultant Services Agreement with Byrne Software Technologies, Inc. (Byrne) in an amount not to exceed $70,000 for Cannabis Module Implementation Services.

1-N Approve resolution establishing a Community Benefits Fund (CBF) and expenditure plan to fund mitigation improvements required in the settlement agreement with the South Fresno Community Alliance (SFCA) and Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability (LCJA).

1-S RESOLUTION - Authorizing submission of a 2022 Urban Community Drought Relief Grant Program application to the California Department of Water Resources for the Expanded Lawn to Garden Water Conservation Rebate Program, and authorizing the Director of Public Utilities or…

…designee to accept grant funds and execute all application and grant agreement documents on behalf of the City of Fresno (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor's Veto)

1-V Approve the reappointment of Edward Saliba to the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging Board for a term ending January 2, 2024. By Karbassi

1-W Approve the reappointment of Steven Bradley to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) for a term ending February 9, 2026 by Bredefeld

1-X Approve the appointment of Vivian Del Toro to the Friends of Fancher Creek Committee to a term which serves at the pleasure of the Councilmember. By Chavez

1-Z *Resolution authorizing the dissolution of certain Council created Committees (Subject to Mayor's Veto)

1-AA *RESOLUTION - Amending Rule 2 of the Council Rules of Procedure Relating to the Election of Council President and Vice President

1-BB BILL (For Introduction) Ordinance to prohibit the unlawful possession of catalytic converters (Citywide)

Among the CLOSED SESSION
5-A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9, subdivision (d)(1) Terance Frazier, et al. v. City of Fresno, et al.; United States District Court Case No.: 1:20-CV-01069

5-D CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): Central Valley (New Market Tax Credit) NMTC Fund, LLC., v. City of Fresno

Documents for 1-Z and 1-AA regarding Officers rotation.

Thank you @fresnoland !fresnoland.org

Watch live and thereafter @CMACTV cmac.tv/gov/

Meeting begins at 9:03 with all Councilmembers present. Invocation by Dr. Sigrid Horton, Assistant Minister from Our Saviour’s Lutheran
Church

Proclamation for "Mid Valley - Recycler of The Year" Sponsored by Perea
Mid-Valley honors a business that goes above and beyond in recycling. Dutch Bros on McKinley diverts 100%.

Proclamation for "Heart Month" sponsored by Tyler Maxwell. Six cardiologist started this organization 100 years ago.Cardiovascular disease is number one cause of death. COVID 19 made it worse too. "Children can have heart disease as well. 1 in 100 of children, number one for

female death.Courtney:I had first heart problem at age 24 with no warning. Next:Heart Ball in May, Heart Walk in Fall. Next:Heart Association funds the research for the new technologies.Maxwell:very vital work.

Proclamation for "Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month." sponsored by Maxwell Maxwell: one in 3 teens will experience dating violence.This causes mental and physical health.Justin Taylor introduces her ambassadors. "not many students know about this issue." "23 Fresno County

School Districts are introduced to this program" "Design Science Tech school principal is here too.This generation gives me hope as they learn about red flags and recognize both healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Proclamation for "African American History Month: Black Resistance a Journey to Equality" sponsored by Esparza. "Key leaders in our community and elected people are represented. Our African Museum has been open since 1986.Sheer existence of african americans in Fresno was a form

of resistance." Director of Museum says:Thanks the Mayor and Council for having us.look up and see the hosts.There is more helping us than we can see.A museum is not in the center of the community but is the center of the community. We know how to make due with little funds but

we can do much more with funds.Thanks Fresno Arts Council's Lilia Chavez for her cross cultural help and hoping we can get part of Measure P funding. If you want to go fast go by yourself.If you want to go far go together. Esparza: I am happy to present this proclamation.

Changes to Agenda:1-A and 1-B tabled to next meeting February 23rd.
1-G,1-H, 1-I,1-J,1-N,1-U moved to Contested Consent

City Clerk:we will be changing the platform for honoring the City's employee awards to more personally recognize them.

Council Comments:@MiguelArias_D3 We had a community meeting in Parkway. We have created most of the motels to permanent housing.The challenge for us when we took on taking on unhoused population when the Fresno County should be doing most of this.They should provide the support

the unhoused but I am truly disappointed by the County Supervisors where they have dozens of trailers sitting empty for years. @FresnoCountyCA They have instead moved services to Clovis away from those who need it. I am going to continue to treat our homeless better than we

treat our animals.I know we get treated poorly by homeless advocates but we are limited on what we can do.
@kmkarbassi Spoke to new School Trustee in District 7 on helping making it easier to walk to school.Farm Bureau taught class on policy.First Hmong Mayor.

Clovis West had three false calls about threats.@gawhitefresno FBI believe the threats have come internationally.Karbassi:Pinedale Warming Center led to us having to cancel some programs which caused a real uptick at the school. A person exposed themselves outside the center.

A person with mental issues came into school office and other items at school occurred.Esparza:Del Gado Elementary will have @BeautifyFresno event.@esparza_nelson Blood Center needs donations. Fresno Women's Commission has 17 scholarships to award.Arias:Only County homeless

shelter near Shields Crossroad is now closing. Can City Manager @gawhitefresno to reach out to County's
CAO? They are just being put back onto street. @AnnalisaPerea thanks Mayor and Public Works for filling potholes.She challenges her colleagues on the council to also fill pot-

holes like she did.Maxwell:An Ericson Elementary has not had their roads paved since 1966 "Before Star Trek had been first aired" Maxwell:access to spay and neuter can be done for $25 now. Vision View Center near airport hosts many minority businesses.It is has inter-

national food court. Youth fee waiver at Einstein park for sports. @MayorJerryDyer Trash and Graffiti abatement occurred. Also spoke with Arias at @BitwiseInd to help educate small businesses on digital world. 5000 IRS employees in Downtown Fresno.Spoke to them about housing

and transportation needs. @gawhitefresno Tray memos sent out. Moody's rating has been upgraded! Valley Animal Shelter has 1000 people already signed up for spay/neutering. Also County Crossroads is technically a rapid rehousing and not a shelter but yes they need to have a place

to place the occupants. Unscheduled PUBLIC COMMENTS with 3 minutes maximum.Fernando: Where is freedom of speech? Is the time limit hurting our speech Mr Janz? I have a housing solution and it is permanent housing. Disabled needs to get them first. Motels are not permanent.

We are heading to martial law in this City.Blind leading the Blind. City Employees president Sam Frank: who does 911 Dispatchers call when they have an emergency?? Me. There is a shortage and losing dispatchers before they even finish probation. Some are going to CHP or to other

city positions with less stress. I am making the Council all First Responders for this crisis. We need to get more people to apply for this job. We need to list it as open until filled.Bredefeld:We have talked about this during the budget hearing. Mayor:we have set aside $10 M

for new dispatch center. Pay increase would be separate item.We have hired as many as we can get trained. Timeline on center. We have tried divert calls to 911 by rolling out mental health crisis in a nationwide effort. White:Originally it was going to be a PD/FD center but we

cannot afford the fire part so that has been taken out. 9 months design will lead to 90% designed in a year and opened in 2025. PJ Miller :dispatch is a flexible role and flex to 2 role after 18 months.We are losing people in 2 years. Maxwell:we need to agendize this at next

meting.10:00 Appearance by Kevin Tolman to discuss introduction of business, number of employees, and what the business does (District 4 Resident) I am from Traffic Signal Co with 9 employees. I helped save your life today as you drove to work. We are between light pole and LED.

We don't sell directly to City. (Puts on another jacket to show he is representing another company now) We can print in an innovative way.We are one of the few open to public. Shows a drone wing that delivers anti-venom in Africa.We will double our workforce.

10:02 *Appearance by Brian Calhoun to discuss status of traffic and pedestrian safety improvements for W. Audubon Drive (District 2 Resident) As spokesman for my neighborhood.This Drive is designated scenic. Drivers have discovered this is a convenient short cut including trucks

There is not traffic signal , stop sign or pedestrian crosswalk.Pedestrians hurt as well as a dog with its owner.adding another turn lane at Nees is worrisome.

10:03 Appearance by Mary Padilla to discuss renewing morals and values (District 2 Resident) (tough to understand her )

Next: Thomas:Thank you for extending warming centers.@LCJandA has been helpful.The Pinedale Warming shelters is closing but we need a replacement."Children are exposed to poverty" by Karbassi was telling.Cooling Centers need to stay open all Summer.

Jose Luis Barrraza:Part of SEFCEDA and speaking on facade improvement RFP. We hope we have a good enough relationship with Hispanic Foundation to get some facade improvement.We feel we are being excised out due to expertise. Money for Chinatown facade delivered this for them.

We were denied funding though. We have a history as an organization .Jose Leon Barraza:COO we support Fresno Hispanic Foundation and to be a subcontractor for them. We have cleaned up areas and painting.We have an office in the corridor.SE Fresno doesn't typically get

resources from City Hall.Jordan Sanchez: Downtown Partnership Interim CEO and we have already working with Fresno Hispanic Foundation and want to be a subcontractor.Dez Martinez: There is a family with 3 kids on the streets that needs helper.DA dropped charges against a super-

visor who put hands on.PD officer who ran over and killed a homeless person.Charged with 6 month plea deal but he declined it.He remains on the PD force.Track City homeless needs a safe camp or new shelter.They will sleep on City Hall lawn otherwise.Cindy: Concerned that Pinedale

Warming Center is closing.She reads letter from her 8 year old granddaughter as to "why they are closing the Pinedale Warming Center at my school.It would be unfair if they had to walk all the way downtown for help."Officer Cruz was asked for a blanket but I was

assaulted and cited instead. She quotes from Deuteronomy. The homeless need us out there. Bob McCloskey:Thanks for keeping warming centers open. They are being well used.ADA compliance as some need help in transportation. Can Poverello help transport these who are in wheelchairs?

Funding for encampments from State is available.I hope there is an alternative to Pinedale Village.We have 10 M put aside for Tiny Houses.Need to stop the HART sweeps as the officers just stand there doing nothing but ordering people to throw their items away.Arnold Minor:

Thank you for warming centers. McCloskey should be on Council as he gives rides for people. Linda Ballard:I am a victim of illegal eviction. I was placed in an apartment but everyone there did not work or go to school. I go to college. I got a job. My issue is why are we given

vouchers for a place with raw sewage. I have filed complaints but no response. Why are disabled put on streets? Masteer:I went to prison and worked on changing my way.I am on the streets but nobody wants to help.On Zoom:Ivanka Saunders from @LCJandA 1-N EDC will attract heavy

industry traffic but City keeps making land use decisions that cause over polluting of that community in SE Fresno. @LisaYFlores1 Agree with Ivanka and Dez. Pinedale Warming Center closing complaints by principal is all NIMBY. Where were the porta potties?When is the City going

to get a backbone Mr.janz and sue the County? DA Smittcamp gave a 6 month plea deal to PD officer who killed a homeless person sleeping.99 is one of the largest polluters in Fresno but City is building shelters for families.We are giving you housing but it will be in pollution

@LovesMercy Need a change in HART when they won't let people have their items.Pinedale Warming Center is closing when other Warming Centers are already full.75 year old Tanya said the Centers is a bright spot in a bad time when looking for housing. Next:Yano Paulo: I am saving

Veterans lives. Go out there rain and shine helping these forgotten servicemen.More need to do this and work together.

City Clerk:wants to let Council know karbassi wants to vote NO on 1-K but he is currently absent. Bredefeld registers his NO vote on it .

1-G Approve an award of $1,500,0000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation (FAHF) and authorize City Manager or designee to negotiate and sign an agreement for services.
Perea wants to know if Tower District is part of this priortiti-

zation?Staff Lance says NO but can be added. Maxwell:I would like airport district added as well.Bredefeld:I would like to add District 6 as well to laughs from audience.APPROVED 7-0

1-H Actionspertaining to the agreement with the Economic Development Corporation serving Fresno County (EDC) to assist in implementing and administering local economic development business attraction,expansion and retention activities: 1. Affirm the City Manager's finding that

EDC is uniquely qualified and the sole source provider of these services; and 2. Approve a Consultant Services Agreement with the EDC for a period of one (1) year in the amount of $150,000; and 3. Authorize the City Manager, or their designee, the authority to execute the

contract and grant up to two (2) optional one-year extensions. APPROVED

1-I RESOLUTION - Authorize the acceptance of 2021 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant award for $7,246,600 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and authorize the Fire Chief to complete all required documents (Subject to Mayor's Veto)

APPROVED as amended. 1-N Approve resolution establishing a Community Benefits Fund (CBF) and expenditure plan to fund mitigation improvements required in the settlement agreement with the South Fresno Community Alliance (SFCA) and Leadership Counsel for Justice and

Accountability (LCJA). Arias:I approve this and distribution centers created this problem but thank you to Planning Director Clark and her staff from helping with this mitigation. APPROVED 7-0

1-U Approve the Third Amendment to the consultant services agreement with Carollo Engineers, Inc., to extend the term of the contract from January 31, 2023, to December 31, 2023, for professional engineering services during construction for the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater

Reclamation Facility Waste Gas Flare Improvement Project (Council District 3) White:we have extended the contract.This allows design consultant to remain in case it is needed but does not affect construction. APPROVED 7-0

1-J Approve an increase to the Requirements Contract with American Guard to provide Security Services at the Municipal Service Center, City Hall, and various other city locations in the amount of $500,000 plus annual CPI increases. The total revised contract shall not exceed

$7,366,088.38 plus annual CPI adjustments without Council approval. (Bid File 9494) Arias:Staff wants to expand this but this is the same guards that led to Fresno Bee article on poor service at homeless shelters. Can we switch companies? Staff:there are two firms used on Park-

way. They are now at only 2 sites. Arias:my expectation that we find a different operator at the shelters. APPROVED 7-0

3-A *WORKSHOP WORKSHOP - Pavement Management Presentation

Potholes caused by Rainwater sinking in cracks and when vehicles drive over forces hydraulic damage to road. It is patched then. Budget is $725,000 per year for pothole repair. 1768 miles of City Streets to maintained and deferred maintenance is $500 M. Director :Scott Mozier

$34 M in street maintenance but that includes Concrete repair , paint and sign ,street cleaning,etc.63% of entire network are residential streets.We have driven every road every 5 years to calculate street conditions.The road is a $4.5 B asset to City. 25% very poor and another

25% poor. Some of the poor roads are old county roads that were annexed and have yet to be repaired.New subdivisions are typically have roads that are good. City is about average for comparable towns but Clovis is high and Merced is low. Cheaper to maintain good roads

and prevent it from getting worse.First St between Tulare and Olive has a grant to repair.
Pavement management has a $12 M funding source. It will need $475 million per 10 years just to tread water but to bring it up to good it will be $633 M every 10 years. Maxwell:Measure C

has been helpful but we need more money. Karbassi:Hot and Cold mix patch differences?Staff:hard to do hot mix if cold weather.Karbassi:in new measure c being worked on would it pay for all upkeep? Scott:the failed measure would have given us 3 1/2 x more than what we have now

which would have given us $18 M more per year. It would maintain PSI at 60. New neighborhoods would need a tax to maintain their own roads going forward and not from General Fund. Arias:gap funding needed at Blackstone and McKinley underpass.

Council will break for lunch and CLOSED SESSION at 1:45 PM
Next Meetings: FEBRUARY 23, 2023 - 9:00 A.M.
MARCH 02, 2023 - NO MEETING
MARCH 09, 2023 - 9:00 A.M.
MARCH 16, 2023 - NO MEETING
MARCH 23, 2023 - NO MEETING
MARCH 30, 2023 - 9:00 A.M.

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