Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission

City of Fresno 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 www.fresno.gov Meeting Minutes - Final Monday, April 18, 2022 5:30 PM Regular Meeting Council Chambers (In Person and/or Electronic) Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Chair – Kimberly McCoy Vice Chair – Jon Dohlin Commissioner – Maiyer Vang Commissioner – Dr. Francine Oputa Commissioner – Scott Miller Commissioner – Mona Nyandoro Cummings Commissioner – Harman Singh Commissioner – Jose Leon Barraza Commissioner – Sarah Parkes Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes - Final April 18, 2022 Commission The Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission met in regular session, electronically via Zoom and in the Fresno City Council Chamber, on April 18, 2022, at 5:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair McCoy at 5:33 P.M. 2. 5:34 P.M. Roll Call Commissioner Singh was absent during roll call but entered the Council Chamber at 5:38 P.M. Present 8 - Chair Kimberly McCoy, Commissioner Maiyer Vang, Commissioner Francine Oputa, Commissioner Scott Miller, Commissioner Mona Cummings, Commissioner Harman Singh, Commissioner Jose Barraza, and Commissioner Sarah Parkes Absent 1 - Vice Chair Jon Dohlin 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Approve Agenda On motion of Commissioner Parkes, seconded by Commissioner Vang, the agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Vang, Commissioner Oputa, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Cummings, Commissioner Barraza and Commissioner Parkes Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Dohlin and Commissioner Singh 5. Approval of Minutes ID 22-406 Approval of Minutes for February 28, 2022. On motion of Commissioner Cummings, seconded by Commissioner Barraza, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Vang, Commissioner Oputa, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Cummings, Commissioner Barraza and Commissioner Parkes City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes - Final April 18, 2022 Commission Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Dohlin and Commissioner Singh 6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports: a. Cultural Arts Plan: b. Parks Master Plan: The Cultural Arts Plan subcommittee had nothing to report. The Parks Master Plan subcommittee had nothing to report. 7. Members Reports and Comments Commissioner Barraza discussed a pending presentation regarding the use of Park Rangers for public safety and the cancellation of Commission meetings. He felt explanations for canceled meetings should be included for the public. PARCS Director Aguirre replied that the Park Ranger presentation was scheduled for the May 2, 2022, Commission meeting. Deputy City Attorney Costa noted the previous cancellations occurred for a lack of items ready for the agenda. She also clarified that Commissioners could add items to the agenda or request presentations but lacked authority to direct specific timelines for staff to prepare items. Commissioner Cummings commented on the lack of discussions with community groups during Commission meetings. She recommended the City send another announcement to remind community groups of the opportunity to address the Commission at regular meetings. Commissioner Vang commented on the decade long use of tennis courts for volleyball at Vinland Park by the Hmong community. She noted a sudden unannounced change in policy that restricted use of the courts to tennis and pickleball. The Commissioner expressed concern over equity and access to the park and asked for a solution that would allow the Hmong community to once again access their local park for volleyball. She stated the, "find another park for volleyball," response from some city staff did not address equity for the Hmong community living in the Vinland Park area. The lack of transparency caused rumors, such as racism, to abound. Commissioner Vang asked to know who made the decision to disallow volleyball and put City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes - Final April 18, 2022 Commission up the sign. Director Aguirre replied that signs were placed at tennis courts at several parks after they were resurfaced to restore their integrity. He explained some courts had lines painted or holes dug around them for other sports. Director Aguirre was working with Councilmember Maxwell on a solution to allow continued volleyball activity at Vinland Park. He felt the plan would be ready to reveal publicly in the next week or two. Chair McCoy requested the Commission receive an update when the solution was ready. Commissioner Oputa discussed canceled Commission meetings and supported providing reasons behind the cancellations. She also suggested staff reach out to Commissioners to see if they had items for the agendas prior to cancelling meetings. Finally, Commissioner Oputa discussed pending budget items for Commission consideration. With regards to the budget items, Assistant PARCS Director Ramirez explained the budget recommendations from the Commission would be considered in the FY23 budget build. Following the Mayor's release of the budget, the Commission would have an opportunity for additional recommendations. Commissioner Barraza cautioned the City not wait to long to get a draft budget before the Commission. Commissioner Oputa also discussed the public's lack of awareness of Commission meetings. She would like the next agenda to include an item in which Commissioner could provide recommendations for city staff to reach out to the community. Finally, Commissioner Oputa recommended increasing diversity, equity and inclusion through our language. She gave examples such as, "houseless," as opposed to "homeless," and "staffing the booth," as opposed to, "manning the booth." Commissioner Parkes discussed meeting cancellations and felt public comment should prevent future Commission meetings from being canceled. She also inquired about the plan and timing for San Joaquin River Parkway allocation of funds and when the Commission could expect to receive the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes - Final April 18, 2022 Commission related survey results. Assistant Director Ramirez noted the survey results were part of the budget presentation by Public Works Director Mozier. She also noted Parkway funding was part of "bucket five" facilitated by the Public Works Department and she would determine how to get that information to the Commission. Commissioner Singh voiced concerned about canceled meetings, noting the Commission meetings were meant to be a place to take public comment. He also voiced concern about the elimination of volleyball on the tennis courts at Vinland Park. Last Thursday, he attempted to put both issues on the agenda and asked about best practices to get items on the agenda. Deputy City Attorney Costa replied that receiving items late Thursday before a Monday meeting might not give staff enough time to prepare for the meeting. As such, the Chair, City Clerk, city staff, the administration and City Attorney's Office would all consider the timing. In addition, items not within the jurisdiction of the Commission would not be placed on the agenda. Commissioner Singh also announced there would be a mural unveiling on May 14, 2022 at Jaswant Singh Khalra Park. Chair McCoy announced she expect all Commissioner proposed agenda items to be sent to her the Tuesday before the Monday meetings. In response to the Commissioner concerns about canceling meetings, Assistant Director Ramirez stated the meetings would not be canceled in order to allow for public comment on a standing agenda item. 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments Assistant City Manager Miller responded to Commissioner comments with the following: the administration was working on the FY 23 Budget requests and the budget would be communicated to the Commissioners as soon as it was ready; she was looking forward to the recommendations from the Commissioners on how to obtain additional public input; she appreciates the input about cultural training and would work with Director Aguirre toward that end, and; the team would work toward a standing item on the agenda to City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes - Final April 18, 2022 Commission keep the Commission meetings on the calendar. Director Aguirre announced parks throughout the city were at capacity over the Easter weekend. Reservations were allowed and utilized the picnic pavilions. PARCS Department staff were in full force to deal with the crowd to keep parks safe and clean. He also announced April 18, 2022, was the soft launch for the new parking methods at city parks. New methods included mobile phone payments and pay stations that accept cash, credit cards and mobile payments. ID 22-639 eComments/Emails Submitted by the Public 9. Unscheduled Communication: Members of the public may address the Commission regarding items that are not listed on the agenda and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission. Each person will have up to three (3) minutes to present. Upon call, several members of the public addressed the Commission during unscheduled communication. The following people discussed the sudden removal of volleyball at Vinland Park: Allen Moua; Jaiab Lee; Kalvin Xiong; Katie Moua; Lisa Flores; Mai Thao; Jaskeet Kaur, and; Dao Lor. The following people discussed budget priorities developed by Fresno Parks Advocates United: Pedro Navarro Cruz and Brandi Nuse-Villegas. 10. Workshops: 11. Discussion Items: 12. Hearings: 12-A. ID 22-603 Actions pertaining to the Cultural Arts Plan Consultant Selection (Citywide): 1. WORKSHOP - Regarding City of Fresno Cultural Arts Plan and Proposed Agreement between City of Fresno and Network for Culture and Arts Policy (PARCS). 2. ***RESOLUTION - Recommend to City Council the 63rd Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2021 -178 to appropriate $150,000 for a consultant services agreement to develop the City of Fresno’s Cultural Arts Plan. PARCS Assistant Director Ramirez presented the workshop to the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes - Final April 18, 2022 Commission Commission. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission on this item: Lilia Gonzales Chavez; Lisa Flores, and; Brandi Nuse-Villegas. Committee discussion on this item included: coordination between existing green space community outreach and the Cultural Arts Plan outreach; connecting with the Fresno Unified School District for art activities at parks; the importance of not rushing the Cultural Arts Plan process; commissioner input regarding community meetings and engagement; how to help a New York firm understand both California and Fresno; time frames for presentations from the consultant; Fresno Arts Council support of the Cultural Arts Plan, and; continued involvement of the Fresno Arts Council. 13. Adjournment The Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission adjourned at 7:31 P.M. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 7