City Council

City of Fresno 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 www.fresno.gov Meeting Minutes - Final Tuesday, June 6, 2023 9:00 AM Budget Hearings Continued From June 5, 2023. The budget hearings will be considered one continuous meeting Council Chambers (In Person and/or Electronic) City Council President - Tyler Maxwell Vice President - Annalisa Perea Councilmembers: Mike Karbassi, Miguel Angel Arias, Luis Chavez, Garry Bredefeld, Nelson Esparza City Manager - Georgeanne A. White City Attorney - Andrew Janz City Clerk - Todd Stermer, CMC City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 City Council resumed the budget hearings in open session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the date and time above written. 9:10 A.M. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Councilmember Nelson Esparza Council President Tyler Maxwell Vice President Annalisa Perea Councilmember Mike Karbassi Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias Councilmember Luis Chavez Councilmember Garry Bredefeld Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Councilmember Bredefeld led the Pledge of Allegiance. Tuesday, June 6, 2023 - 9:00 A.M. Council President Maxwell announced public comment would be taken at the beginning of each budget hearing for the departments to be discussed that day. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed Council: Patience Milrod, Queen Sister, Alyssa Smith, Karla Martinez, Brandi Nuse-Villegas, Sarah Parkes, Camila Rivera, Adela Moreno, Judith Medina, Ruben Espinoza, Robert McCloskey, Nishea Balajadia, Jessica Martinez, Benita Vasquez, Lisa Flores, Michael Yamamura, Ashley Rojas, Juana Vigil, Lilia Becerril, and Eric Payne. REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING BUDGET OVERVIEW: Councilmember Esparza requested a memo informing if the city were to raise $1 billion via the taxpayer- what would be the resulting financial impact on residents. Council President Maxwell requested a memo on the following Information: 1.) Cost for designing and constructing a splash pad shade structure at Melody Park. 2.) Cost for a rod iron fence along the perimeter of the Rotary West park. 3.) Cost for resurfacing the volleyball and tennis ball courts at Einstein Park. 4.) Remaining Cost for assessing the Old Roessler building to utilize the building. 5.) Cost on all urgent needs that need to be City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 addressed at the Old Roessler Building Council President Maxwell requested Information on the Cost of increasing all water conservation rebates at the same rate as CPI for the past 12 months. Council President Maxwell requested the following Information on the senior center: 1.) Information regarding the Section 108 staff was going to pursue, what is the process for that, has the request to HUD has been submitted, and what the timeline is. 2.) In the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, is there sufficient funding to fulfill the RFQ/proposal for the senior center, if not, what is the funding amount needed. Councilmember Karbassi requested the following Information regarding trolleys: what does the city do if residents get rowdy, what can be done for drivers to have quick access to safety, and to provide possible suggestions. Councilmember Karbassi requested an estimate for the design phase of lighting at Oso De Oro Park and an estimate for the design and construction of lighting at Koligian Park. Councilmember Arias requested a memo regarding the feasibility of Gottchalks as office space. Councilmember Arias requested Information regarding the city's parking lot security monitoring and to confirm the operational hours. ID 23-788 Department of Transportation The above Transportation Department Oveview was presented to Council by Director Barfield. Discussion was held between Council and the administration. REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OVERVIEW: Council President Maxwell requested a list of the remaining bus stops City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 needing shelters in District 4. Council President Maxwell requested a memo to include the contract details with Provost & Pritchard and any other firm contracted to design and construct bus stop shelters. Councilmember Chavez requested information regarding pepper spray training for FAX drivers and how many drivers have opted in. Vice President Perea requested a list of unsheltered bus stops in District 4 based on priority and site criteria. Councilmember Arias requested information on the amount of the Fiscal Year 2024 proposed PG&E cost increase. Councilmember Arias requested the last five years of calls for service from FAX to the Police Department. Councilmember Arias requested a cost analysis of a dedicated route from the downtown community medical center to the Clovis community medical center, a similar model to the trolley. THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISCUSION: Council President Maxwell motioned to allocate $500,000 to continue reduced-cost services for qualifying populations under the Kaiser grant contingent upon City not receiving funds. Councilmember Arias seconded the motion. Council President Maxwell motioned to add nine (9) bus stop shelters in District 4 to the current list. Councilmember Esparza seconded the motion. Councilmember Arias motioned to fund $500,000 for a route from CRMC downtown to CRMC Clovis. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion. ID 23-789 Police Department City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 The above Police Department budget overview was presented to Council by Police Chief Balderrama. Discussion was held between Council and the administration. REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING POLICE DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW: Councilmember Chavez requested information regarding domestic violence incident numbers and the department's capacity. Councilmember Bredefeld requested information regarding the funding plan by the administration for the need for a helicopter for the Police Department. Vice President Perea requested a report to discuss the current condition and possible ways to use Cornelia and Swift's location in Northwest Fresno. Councilmember Arias requested staff provide the last five years of officers and management ratio with civilians. Councilmember Arias requested the last 10 years of lawsuits, the name of the lawsuit, and the amount. Councilmember Arias requested the number of officers on long-term medical leave for the last five years. Councilmember Arias requested the operational hours for all police locations open to the public. Councilmember Arias requested a memo for response times for 9-1-1 calls for the last five years and a memo for responses for police responding to 9-1-1 for the previous five years in various categories. Councilmember Arias requested a memo regarding when the Chief decides to pursue accreditation. Councilmember Arias requested information regarding the City of Fresno City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 Police Department Facebook page and a memo regarding policies and procedures for posting. THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION: Councilmember Chavez motioned to add two positions to the Elder Abuse Unit. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion. Councilmember Chavez motioned to allocate $100,000 for Project Spotlight to feed video images into the surveillance command center. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion. Councilmember Esparza motioned to add $220,000 to re-launch the Neighborhood Watch Program within the Police Department Budget. Vice President Perea seconded the motion. Vice President Perea motioned to allocate $100,000 for small business security camera grants. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion. ID 23-790 Economic Development Department The above Economic Development Department budget overview was presented to Council by Director Lippincott. Discussion was held between Council and the administration. REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEW: Councilmember Arias requested a list of businesses that have been attracted or retained due to work done by economic development. Vice President Perea gave direction to prioritize the Tower District. Vice President Perea requested a memo on current sites in District 1 that you are currently in the works to attract new business or will be moving forward. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION: Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $100,000 for a new position of sister city liaison. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion. Councilmember Karbassi motioned to allocate $50,000 for sister city travel. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion. ID 23-791 Planning and Development Department The above Planning and Development budget overview was presented to Council by Director Clark. Discussion was held between Council and the administration. REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEW: Council President Maxwell requested additional information on the $27,420,200 for Miscellaneous State Grants, including various state grants such as Local Early Action Planning, Local Housing Trust Fund funds and Encampment Resolution Funding” (B-158). He requested additional information regarding the exact usage of the following funds: 1.) A list of projects or groups that will receive funding from the grants. 2.) The amount of funds each group or project will receive. 3.) The grant funding source for each project or group, and include any budget pages that can be referenced for detailed information concerning these inquiries. Councilmember Esparza requested an updated timeline for the CEDA and Environmental Impact Report. Councilmember Arias requested information regarding the full accounting of housing funds that have been received and awarded by project and amount, and to include funds that have yet to be awarded for the past 3 years. Councilmember Chavez requested a list of all housing permits currently City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 7 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 being processed, what category they would fall under, and how many are affordable. Councilmember Chavez requested a copy of the General Plan outline of the anticipated need for housing units based on population growth. Councilmember Karbassi requested a memo listing all vacancies in the Planning Department, how long they have been vacant, the salary range, a comparison of salary range vs. other entities, e.g., Caltrain, Clovis, Madera County, and what is being done to fill those vacancies. Vice President Perea requested information regarding the senior home repair program, what has been expended, what is left, and what will be a carryover. THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION: Councilmember Arias motioned to fund $1 million for the acquisition of Helm Home for the operation of a youth LGBTQ shelter. Vice President Perea seconded the motion. Vice President Perea motioned to carryover $50,000 and funded an additional $275,000 for the West Area Specific Plan. Councilmember Karbassi seconded the motion. ID 23-792 Public Works Department The above Public Works Department budget overview was presented to Council by Director Mozier. Discussion was held between Council and the administration. REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION WAS MADE DURING THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BUDGET OVERVIEW: Council President Maxwell requested information on the concrete and paving repair proposed at Browning, Bullard, Millbrook, and Ninth that is City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 8 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 currently on hold and asked if the project includes the frontage road on the south end of Bullard. Councilmember Arias requested an up-to-date list of all incomplete or not completely funded public works projects in District 3 to be included with status. Councilmember Chavez requested a list of all the projects that made it into the Fiscal Year 2024 proposed budget and requested a spreadsheet with just District 5 projects. Council President Maxwell requested information on how often median islands in District 4 are cleaned and the cost to increase the litter removal of median islands in District 4. Councilmember Chavez requested the following information from the Budget, Personnel Department, and Public Works Department: 1.) What is the historical data for Fresno regarding the sales/use tax trends, what was subsequently reconciled, and the trend specific to the city. 2.) What is the property tax trend in the city. 3.) What positions are being funded at "90%" and what has been the percentage of positions funded in the past 5 years. 4.) How many proposed funded positions were filled in the past 3 years by departments, and a list by departments. 5.) What are the estimates for infrastructure projects that have been coming in over the amount estimated, what is the trend, and are these trends reflected in the new estimates for capital/infrastructure budgets. Vice President Perea requested information on the estimate to repave the Hughes, Cornell, Crystal, and Brown neighborhoods. THE FOLLOWING MOTIONS WERE MADE DURING THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BUDGET DISCUSSION: Councilmember Arias motioned to allocate $1.5 million for infrastructure dollars for each council district. Councilmember Chavez seconded the motion. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 9 City Council Meeting Minutes - Final June 6, 2023 Councilmember Karbassi motioned to add to Fiscal Year 2023 motion #58. If the property is re-zoned, the funds will be transferred to the Public Works Department for discretionary (by the council member) infrastructure projects in Council District 2. Councilmember Arias seconded the motion ADJOURNMENT City Council recessed the June 6, 2023 Budget Hearing at 5:07 P.M. The Budget Hearing was scheduled to resume Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 9:00 A.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the June 15, 2023, regular meeting. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 10