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 30, 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 Commissioner Dohlin arrived at 5:33 P.M. Commissioner Singh arrived at 5:37 P.M. Present 9 - Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward, Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Rose Caglia, Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski, Commissioner Scott Miller, Commissioner Harman Singh, and Commissioner Christina Soto 3. Pledge of Allegiance Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 30, 2024 Commission 4. Approve Agenda On motion of Commissioner Caglia, seconded by Commissioner Dohlin, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 8 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto Absent: 1 - Commissioner Singh 5. Approval of Minutes 5.-A. ID 24-1309 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of September 16, 2024. On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Barraza, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto Absent: 1 - Commissioner Singh Abstain: 1 - Commissioner Caglia 6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports: 6-A. Parks Master Plan: There was no update from the Parks Master Plan. 6-B. Highest Needs Neighborhoods: There was no update from the Highest Needs Neighborhoods. 6-C. San Joaquin River Parkway: Commissioner Kucharski announced the upcoming meeting with the San Joaquin River Conservancy, the tour of the San Joaquin River Parkway with two commissioners attending, and invited all commissioners. 7. Members Reports and Comments City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 30, 2024 Commission COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced a final draft report will be presented to the commission in October for review then the report will go to the council for final approval. VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Attended the groundbreaking for Broadway Park in South Tower, and acknowledged Kyle Lopez Schmidt, PARCS Director Aguirre and the PARCS Department, and Councilmember Aras. 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced the upcoming workshops for the Southwest Fresno Community Center Open House series, and encouraged everyone to attend. 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: Gabriel Lozano, and Jose Luis Barraza. 10. Workshops: 10.-A. ID 24-1316 Workshop - Highest Needs Definition (WRT) - Presentation of the Highest - Needs Percentiles and Maps. The above item was presented to the Commission by Program Manager Gaytan, and Wallace Roberts, and Todd, LLC. (WRT) consultants Peter Winch, and Hannah Goldov. Commission discussion on this item included: Highest need maps, and how many have been created. Commendations to city staff and consultants (WRT) for their efforts in gathering public input. Improvements that change a park’s overall condition rating. Surveys highlighting connections between park conditions, poverty, and public safety, and the city response. REsponse from the public as parks are enhanced, and park assessments being communicated effectively. Low survey responses from non-English speakers, and efforts to improve outreach and engagement to gain better City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 30, 2024 Commission feedback from residents of different backgrounds. Resource allocation having a more concentrated and impactful investment in key locations. Current highest-needs list expanding from 20 to 50 parks, and how expanding the list might affect the 20 parks already receiving funds. PRESENTED 10.-B. ID 24-1324 Workshop - Review of Measure P Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Adopted Budget and FY26 Budget Build Schedule. The above item was presented to the Commission by Assistant Director Chinevere, and Director Mozier. Assistant Director Chinevere announced the presentation motions 2 and 5 are labeled incorrectly, 2 should be labeled 5, and 5 should be labeled 2. Commission discussion on this item included: Start dates for the projects mentioned, and factors or events that influenced them. Need to determine the budget for five full-time equivalents (FTE). Commission's budget recommendations compared to what is approved by the City Council. Interest in establishing a grant process outside the arts and culture space, as described int the ordinance (section 7-1 158, Subsection "C"). Potential conflicts arising between the grants and Parks Plans for senior and youth programming within category 3. Clarification on what factors or data the carryover forecast is based on, and the methodology used to determine the forecast. Unspent approved funds and the reasons for vacancies Barriers effecting utilization of allocated funds. Ensuring approved projects are completed, and funds are used as intended. Possibility that funds may be carried over and reallocated to different projects at the City Council’s discretion. Homeless population in parks, and residents safety. Appropriation of $900,000 for three pilot projects to address homelessness in parks, and monitoring success of the projects. Solutions involving the Parks Department, Fresno PD, park rangers, and nonprofits needed to improve public safety and make parks more accessible for families. PRESENTED 10.-C. ID 24-1317 Workshop - Overview of the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 30, 2024 Commission Program Process. (PARCS) The above item was presented to the Commission by Division Manager Soliz. Commission discussion on this item included: Specific date when the commission took action to amend or finalize the guidelines, and the commission’s decision-making process involved. Timeline for amending the guidelines, and council action. PRESENTED 10.-D. ID 24-1318 Workshop - Review grant guidelines for the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant Program in partnership with PRAC. (Fresno Arts Council) The above item was presented to the Commission by Fresno Arts Council Director Lilia Gonzales Chavez. Commission discussion on this item included: Guidelines specific to grant recipients. Limitations of the rural grant program and whether it can be extended to rural areas within the city. Clarification of "collectives", and partnering with fiscal sponsors. Cultural Arts Subcommittee previously emphasized one-third of the funding should target operations and projects in high-need neighborhoods. Connection between access to art and culture and the transportation barriers faced by residents, the need for projects to be accessible to local communities. Potential imbalances in funding distribution across districts to ensure equitable distribution and verify claims of serving the entire city of Fresno. Creative methods to comply with funding requirements, highlighting the need for verification processes. Equity in funding distribution, and encouragement for continued dialogue and further refinement of the guidelines. PRESENTED 11. Discussion Items: 11.-A. ID 24-1339 Discussion - Regarding the Cultural Arts Subcommittee roles and responsibilities as it pertains to the Cultural Art Grant Fund. Commission discussion on this item included: Transparency in the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes September 30, 2024 Commission decision-making processes of the commission following the removal of an item from the agenda, and the approval processes for previous recommendations. Clear communication regarding the tasks and existence of subcommittees, establishing and maintaining a standing committee to ensure a dedicated focus on cultural arts topics and improve relationships with the Fresno Arts Council. Public engagement in discussions and decision-making about cultural arts allocations. Significant public outreach and further public involvement. Logistical and financial concerns, including funding sources and meeting organization, and the challenges in creating a standing committee. Functions and definition of an ad hoc committee and its roles. Budget breakdown needed to assess the costs and funding eligibility for establishing a standing committee, considering the current members serve as volunteers, and additional expenses incurred in maintaining the committee. DISCUSSED 12. Hearings: 12.-A. ID 24-1310 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 8:49 P.M. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Gabriel Lozano. Public comment closed at 8:53 P.M. There was no Commission discussion on this item. DISCUSSED 13. Adjournment Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at 8:53 P.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission during the October 14, 2024, regular meeting. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6