City Council

City of Fresno 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 www.fresno.gov Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, June 30, 2020 9:00 AM Notice of Special Emergency Open Session Meeting Electronic Meeting City Council President - Miguel Angel Arias Vice President - Paul Caprioglio Councilmembers: Esmeralda Z. Soria, Mike Karbassi, Luis Chavez, Garry Bredefeld, Nelson Esparza City Manager - Wilma Quan City Attorney - Douglas T. Sloan City Clerk - Yvonne Spence, MMC City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 City Council met in special emergency open session meeting, City Hall on the date and time written above. 9:02 A.M. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - President Miguel Angel Arias Vice President Paul Caprioglio Councilmember Esmeralda Z. Soria Councilmember Mike Karbassi Councilmember Luis Chavez Councilmember Garry Bredefeld Councilmember Nelson Esparza Open Session On motion of Councilmember Chavez, seconded by Councilmember Soria,the above meeting was approved. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Arias, Caprioglio, Soria, Karbassi, Chavez, Bredefeld and Esparza ID Approve a Strategic Plan for the use of the Coronavirus Relief Fund 20-00896 monies received by the City of Fresno from the CARES Act. The above item was introduced to Council by Chief of Staff Orman, Mayor's Office. Councilmember Karbassi expressed his frustrations with receiving supporting documents the same day of the meeting. Council Vice President Caprioglio asked questions regarding the funding in the Southeast Fresno area in his district South of Barstow to Shaw and South of Shaw and/or Herndon. He asked if it included the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) areas. He stated he would like the funds to be equally distributed in District 4 and not focus on one particular area and if it is not spread equally, he will not be able to support the item. Councilmember Soria responded. Councilmember Soria stated the Council supported providing funds to businesses to allow for additional eating space and wanted to make sure City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 the funds are included in the strategic plan. She spoke about Arts Museums being closed for the entire pandemic and some of the locations have been vandalized and she would like to see some of the funds go there. She requested that the plan makes that clear. Councilmember Karbassi requested the funds go to all non-profits across the table. Council President Arias responded that the plan includes buckets of various business. Councilmember Soria motioned to approve with the conditions that the $100,000 for businesses who wanted to expand their eating area be included in the Save our Small Business portion of the Strategic Plan as well as the non profit Art Museums to be included in the PARCS section of the plan. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion. Councilmember Soria also asked if the $300,000 for the Youth Mental Health project was put aside in the plan. Chief of Staff Orman responded yes. Councilmember Bredefeld expressed his concern about getting the supporting documents the morning of the meeting and he noticed some discrepancies from what was discussed in the past. He stated many of the things he suggested were not included and he does not feel that this plan is what the council agreed on with a 6-0 vote to invest at least $30 million in Southwest and Southeast Fresno and expressed his concern about spending all of the money by the end of the year. Councilmember Chavez responded. Councilmember Esparza requested a friendly amendment to the motion to direction the Administration to continue to work on the child care vouchers about $2.4 million and bring back an agreement to the Council for approval. Councilmember Karbassi asked if there is a plan for the $13 million for revenue replacement and would like an updated on a plan on how to spend the money appropriately. Council President Arias committed to have the Administration provide the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 30, 2020 Council with a status report on a monthly basis on the status of the plan, where City of Fresno stands, and if anything needs to be adjusted. Councilmember Karbassi asked Assistant CIty Attorney Doerr if any Councilmember wanted to change the plan if they have the authority. Assistant City Attorney Doerr responded yes. Councilmember Karbassi wants to allocate more money to black and minority owned businesses. Councilmember Bredefeld asked about the $25 million shortfall and if that is being reimbursed by the CARES Act as opposed to the General Fund Citywide. Council Vice President Caprioglio asked if the funds can be used to employ additional staff to make sure the funds are spent by the December 31, 2020 deadline or if the City of Fresno would have to employ additional staff through the General Fund. Director Lima responded hiring individuals for COVID expenses is allowed. However with existing staff it is a little more difficult, the employee must be working full time on COVID related issues to be eligible. Council President Caprioglio suggesting considering using outside services instead of existing staff. On motion of Councilmember Soria, seconded by Councilmember Chavez, that the above Action Item be approved as amended. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Arias, Caprioglio, Soria, Karbassi, Chavez, Bredefeld and Esparza ADJOURNMENT City Council adjourned the special emergency open session meeting at 9:57 A.M. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4