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 - Laura Ward Commissioner - Jose Leon Barraza Commissioner - Rose Caglia Commissioner - Jon Dohlin Commissioner - Kelly Kucharski Commissioner - Scott Miller Commissioner - Harman Singh Commissioner - Christina Soto Monday, September 16, 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 5:32 P.M. 2. 5:32 P.M. Roll Call Present 8 - Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward, Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Rose Caglia, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski, Commissioner Scott Miller, Commissioner Harman Singh, and Commissioner Christina Soto Absent 1 - Commissioner Jon Dohlin 3. Pledge of Allegiance Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Approve Agenda City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Commission On motion of Commissioner Singh, seconded by Commissioner Caglia, the agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Singh and Commissioner Soto Absent: 1 - Commissioner Dohlin 5. Approval of Minutes 5.-A. ID 24-1143 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of August 19, 2024. On motion of Commissioner Caglia, seconded by Vice Chair Ward, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Singh and Commissioner Soto Absent: 1 - Commissioner Dohlin 6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports: 6-A. Parks Master Plan: There was no update from the Parks Master Plan. 6-B. Highest Needs Neighborhoods: Chair McCoy reported the upcoming meeting to review the highest needs Maps, and will have an update on the maps. 6-C. San Joaquin River Parkway: Commissioner Kucharski reported attempting to schedule a tour of the San Joaquin River Parkway, and recommended October 17, 2024, as a potential tour date. 7. Members Reports and Comments City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Commission COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged PARCS Director Aguirre, staff of the City Manager's office, David Rodriguez, and the park rangers for their support and participation in the Mexican Independence Night event at Balch Park. Acknowledged students from Sunnyside High School, and Councilmembers Chavez and Esparza for their contributions. VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged the emerging cultural arts activities and opportunities in the city funded by Measure "P". Encouraged the public to look for future events. COMMISSIONER KUCHARSKI REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced meeting with the Director of the Sustainability Division for Fresno Public Works prompted by the approval of the budget allocating up to $300,000 for sustainability and conservation efforts. The topics discussed were energy efficiency, facility upgrades, water conservation, and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. COMMISSIONER SOTO REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Inquired about the commission's involvement with the Cultural Arts Subcommittee as the annual application process moves forward. Inquired if a new subcommittee will be formed, or if there will be involvement in the upcoming application cycles. Acknowledged Vice Chair Ward on her appointment as vice chair. Noted community discussions regarding Measure “P” funding relating to Art Hop, and noted concerns from organizations not receiving funding. Emphasized the importance of continued community involvement and engagement in Art Hop, ensuring that concerns are heard and addressed. Highlighted Art Hop’s significance, and receiving community feedback. Acknowledged the community discussions and media coverage surrounding these issues. CHAIR MCCOY REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged Dr. Lilia Chavez for organizing the past press conference with a large showing of enthusiasm for the grants and their upcoming projects. Expressed appreciation for Dr. Chavez's dedication, hard work, and availability to answer questions from the commissioners about the grant process. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Commission 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Highlighted several activities the Parks Department participated in, with additional participation from the Fire Department, Police Department, and National Guard. Announced a meeting with a tennis group at Roding Park to discuss the department's ongoing projects and city initiatives. Announced the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for Broadway Park, and noted the park is scheduled to be completed and opened to the community in a year. Attended an event at Willow and Balch Park, where the community expressed appreciation for the new playground features. 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, the following members of the public addressed the Commission with unscheduled communication: Lillia Gonzalez-Chavez, and Lisa Flores. 10. Workshops: 11. Discussion Items: 12. Hearings: 12.-A. ID 24-1145 Hearing - RESOLUTION - Establishing remote meeting participation for the public. The above item was called to order at 5:52 P.M.. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Lisa Flores. Public comment closed at 5:54 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: The resolution pertaining to the pubic and/or to the commission. Reasons behind bringing the resolution forward. Allocation of grants under the Arts and Cultural process will continue to be a topic of discussion for the commission, and further discussions on this matter are anticipated. On motion of Commissioner Soto, seconded by Commissioner Barraza, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 16, 2024 Commission by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Singh and Commissioner Soto Absent: 1 - Commissioner Dohlin 12.-B. ID 24-1144 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 5:57 P.M. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 5:57 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: Need for future conversation regarding the process for allocating grant money for cultural arts, more resources to improve outreach, the overall grant process, and a future agenda item for further discussion. DISCUSSED 13. Adjournment Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at 5:59 P.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission during the September 30, 2024, regular meeting with Commissioner Singh absent. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5