Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission

City of Fresno 2600 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 www.fresno.gov Meeting Minutes Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Chair - Kimberly McCoy Vice Chair - Jon Dohlin Commissioner - Christina Soto Commissioner - Harman Singh Commissioner - Jose Leon Barraza Commissioner - Kelly Kucharski Commissioner - Laura Ward Commissioner - Rose Caglia Commissioner - Scott Miller Monday, August 19, 2024 5:30 PM Council Chambers (In Person and/or Electronic) https://www.fresno.gov/pra c-meeting/ Regular Meeting The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (PRAC) met in regular session in the Council Chamber at Fresno City Hall on the date and time above written. 1. Call to Order Chair McCoy called the meeting to order at 5:35 P.M. 2. 5:35 P.M. Roll Call Present 7 - Chair Kimberly McCoy, Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski, Commissioner Harman Singh, Commissioner Jose Barraza, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward, and Commissioner Rose Caglia Absent 2 - Commissioner Scott Miller, and Commissioner Christina Soto 3. Pledge of Allegiance Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Approve Agenda Secretary Canez announced item 12-A (ID 24-1126) regarding Hearing - City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes August 19, 2024 Commission Motion to drop the threshold for the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) Grants for Emerging Organization General Operating Support and Emerging Organization Project Specific Support to 3.0. – for clarification, the threshold is dropping across all four categories, not just emerging category. On motion of Vice Chair Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Singh, the AGENDA ADOPTED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Singh, Commissioner Barraza, Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Caglia Absent: 2 - Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto 5. Approval of Minutes 5.-A. ID 24-978 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of July 15, 2024. APPROVED On motion of Commissioner Ward, seconded by Commissioner Singh, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 6 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Singh, Commissioner Barraza, Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Caglia Absent: 2 - Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Dohlin 6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports: 6-A. Cultural Arts Plan: Commissioner Ward reported: a commissioner is needed to fill an open position on the subcommittee; shared progress of grant guidelines; encouraged community involvement regarding modifications; efforts were made with the mayor’s office to facilitate outreach and workshops to inform residents about Measure “P” art grant opportunities; reported plans to involve grant recipients in reaching a more diverse applicant pool; City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes August 19, 2024 Commission announced redacted copies of the highest scoring year one grant narratives would be made available to future applicants; and materials were provided to help analyze a proposed expanded allocation of funding for applicants who scored between 3.0 and 3.49. 6-B. Parks Master Plan: Commissioner Barraza acknowledged staff's efforts in reaching out to the public; requested an update from staff about the effectiveness and results of the outreach efforts, and if more creative approaches are needed. 6-C. Highest Needs Neighborhoods: Vice Chair Dohlin reported a meeting was held to discuss efforts to gather feedback on parks design and location; reviewed various strategies used to engage the community; noted imbalance in survey responses across demographic groups; and discussed ways to better reach underrepresented groups, such as partnering with local nonprofits and organizations like Families in Action to enhance outreach efforts. 6-D. San Joaquin River Parkway: Commissioner Kucharski announced the subcommittees up coming tour with both the San Joaquin Conservancy and the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust. 7. Members Reports and Comments COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: expressed concern about lack of feedback on recommendations made to the Fresno City Council; expressed desire for staff to provide feedback on which recommendations that were accepted or rejected by the City Council; and emphasized the importance of councils response to the commissions recommendations made on behalf of the public. COMMISSIONER CAGLIA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: noted interest expressed by individuals in considering two-year grants, and potential impact of two-year grants on funding for the arts and the Cultural Arts Plan. COMMISSIONER KUCHARSKI REPORTS AND COMMENTS: noted the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes August 19, 2024 Commission pickleball courts at Vinland Park are popular, and enjoyed seeing the public utilizing them. 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: highlighted several upcoming events; announced the reopening of Willow and Balch Tot Lot, and improved amenities; noted the aquatic season is coming to an end, and it served about 24,000 people in recreational swimming and 2,400 in swim lessons, both offered free of charge; discussed efforts to gather community input through surveys, noting the increase from under 100 responses three years ago to nearly 1,300 now; acknowledged staffs efforts; and the survey focuses on identifying and addressing the highest needs in the community. 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, no members of the public addressed Commission with unscheduled communication. 10. Workshops: 10.-A. ID 24-1103 Workshop - Fresno African American Community Council to present the Historic African American Legacy Drive project, and introduce Dr. Henry Oputa his family to the commission. Commission discussion on this item included: the history of African Americans, and local residents; African American business owners; Audra and Stanley McDonald; West Fresno, and current conditions; Jack Kelly, and local black Americans being honored; African American Museum; vision for South West Fresno; and equal treatment for the community. PRESENTED 11. Discussion Items: 11.-A. ID 24-1105 Discussion - Regarding the Expanded Access to Arts and Cultural Fund Grant Guidelines. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes August 19, 2024 Commission Commission discussion on this item included: Radio Bilingue's input on the grant guidelines; revising the guidelines; equity; providing the Fresno Arts Council more financial resources; Council Districts and zip codes; grants; measuring success, fairness, and equity; expanded access to funding; outreach, recruitment, and technical assistance; West Fresno; Downtown Fresno; guidelines for funding; distribution of funds; application process; caring for entities; next round of funding; nonprofits; organizations in South East Fresno; budget process; artists; funding for schools; improving strategies; Measure "P"; and the cultural arts community. DISCUSSED 12. Hearings: 12.-A. ID 24-1126 Hearing - Motion to drop the threshold for the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) Grants for Emerging Organization General Operating Support and Emerging Organization Project Specific Support to 3.0. During the approval of the agenda secretary Canez announced for clarification, the threshold is dropping across all four categories, not just emerging. The above item was called to order at 6:35 P.M. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: B.T. Lewis, and Trisha B. Public comment closed at 6:42 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: additional grants funded; expanding the funding, and grant allocation; funding appeals; and expanding the reach. On motion of Commissioner Singh, seconded by Commissioner Barraza, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Singh, Commissioner Barraza, Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Caglia Absent: 2 - Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes August 19, 2024 Commission 12.-B. ID 24-1086 Hearing- Fresno Arts Council to present Expanded Access to Arts Culture Grant appeals for PRAC recommendations. The above item was called to order at 6:43 P.M. and was presented to the Commission by the Fresno Arts Council. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 7:07 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: approving the funding; impact if the timeline is not met; work involved in the grant, and application process; approving the appeals; and current guidelines for the appeals process. On motion of Vice Chair Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Caglia, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Singh, Commissioner Barraza, Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Caglia Absent: 2 - Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto 12.-C. ID 24-977 Hearing - Receive public input on allocations related to Measure P, updates to the Parks Master Plan and Cultural Arts Plan, and annual PARCS Department Budget and Capital Improvement Plans. The above item was called to order at 7:10 P.M. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Trisha B. Public comment closed at 7:11 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: budget recommendations. 12.-D. ID 24-976 Election of Chair and Vice Chair to the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission for Fiscal Year 2025. The above item was called to order at 7:12 P.M. and was presented to the Commission by. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 7:18 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: appreciation for elected officials. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes August 19, 2024 Commission Vice Chair Dohlin motioned to elect Chair McCoy as Chair for FY25. Commissioner Barraza seconded the motion which PASSED by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Singh, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Ward and Commissioner Caglia Absent: 2 - Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Soto Commissioner Caglia motioned to elect Commissioner Ward as Vice Chair for FY25. Vice Chair Dohlin seconded the motion which PASSED by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Singh, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Ward and Commissioner Caglia Absent: 2 - Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Soto APPROVED 13. Adjournment Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at 7:19 P.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission during the September 16, 2024, regular meeting with Commissioner Dohlin absent. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 7