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, October 14, 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 5:33 P.M. 2. 5:30 P.M. Roll Call Commissioner Soto joined the meeting at 5:34 P.M. Commissioner Singh joined the meeting at 5:35 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 October 14, 2024 Commission 4. Approve Agenda On motion of Vice Chair Ward, seconded by Commissioner Miller, 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 24-1367 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of September 30, 2024. On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Miller, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 9 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Singh and Commissioner Soto 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 a survey to define neighborhoods with the highest needs has been released via email, and will be available at various community centers. 6-C. San Joaquin River Parkway: Commissioner Kucharski announced a future meeting scheduled for a tour of the San Joaquin River Conservancy, in partnership with the San Joaquin River Parkway Trust, and invited the commission to join. 7. Members Reports and Comments City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes October 14, 2024 Commission COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced the future Southeast Fresno Cultural Arts District meeting, and invited the public and the Commission to attend. Expressed gratitude to Executive Director Lilia Chavez from the Fresno Arts Council, and Councilmember Chavez for their involvement and support in the creation of a Southeast Fresno Cultural Arts District. Announced the award of a contract for a project in Southeast Fresno. COMMISSIONER SINGH REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced an upcoming march for the Punjabi and Sikh community from Bakersfield to Sacramento, and invited the community to join. COMMISSIONER CAGLIA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Inquired about the source of the $9 million dollars for the project in Southeast Fresno contract. COMMISSIONER SOTO REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged Indigenous People's Day, and expressed strong support for Indigenous peoples globally. CHAIR MCCOY REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged Officer Ramirez for his contributions and expressed gratitude for the positive impact of park rangers in the community. 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced several upcoming community events in October happening in community centers and neighborhood parks. Announced the future park development groundbreaking near Peach and California in early 2025. 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: Lilia Gonzales Chavez. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes October 14, 2024 Commission 10. Workshops: 11. Discussion Items: 11.-A. ID 24-1368 Discussion - Regarding the Cultural Arts Subcommittee roles and responsibilities as it pertains to the Cultural Art Grant Fund. Commission discussion on this item included: Receiving cost information regarding the committee, and having time to review it. Requesting an example or template for cost estimation, and understanding of potential expenses to aid decision-making. Need for information on meeting frequency, agenda publication, and subcommittee operations. Frequency of cultural arts subcommittee meetings, and policy development. Need for ongoing meetings for multiple grant solicitation within one year. Considering meeting every three months based on a 60-day grant application review cycle. Subcommittee disbanding, and PRAC's current budget. Drafting the resolution every year, and the language of the resolution. Standing committee versus an ad-hoc committee; cost effectiveness and advantages. PRAC commission requesting minutes from the ad-hoc committee. Three areas where the cultural arts subcommittee assists the commission. Reviewing proposed grant guidelines and policies before they reach the commission. Separating the operating grant process from the project grant process. DISCUSSED 12. Hearings: 12.-A. ID 24-1377 Hearing - Actions pertaining to the Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services (PARCS) Department Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget Build as it pertains to the Capital Projects Portfolio: 1. Presentation - Overview of PARCS Department’s FY26 capital projects portfolio 2. Receive public input on expenditures related to the PARCS Department’s FY26 budget 3. Action - Make recommendations to the City Council for adoption of expenditures in connection to the PARCS Department’s FY26 budget The above item was called to order at 6:24 P.M. and was presented to the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes October 14, 2024 Commission Commission by Projects Administrator Rooks, Projects Administrator Portale, and Assistant Director Chinevere. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Hugo Morales, and Lisa Flores. Public comment closed at 7:06 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: Parks listed in the presentation receiving Prop 68 funding. Previous years budget, and Measure "P" funds. Completed projects having numbers without a name or project listed, and their significance. Amount of money allocated for addressing homelessness, and providing assistance. Measure P funds eligible for homelessness-related initiatives. DISCUSSED 12.-B. ID 24-1378 Hearing- Review of the final draft Parks Master Plan Technical Amendment, Environmental Assessment, public comments received and PRAC recommendations to the amendment. The above item was called to order at 7:07 P.M. and was presented to the Commission by Program Manager Gaytan. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Lisa Flores. Public comment closed at 7:31 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: PARCS Master Plan, and the technical amendment made. Updating the highest needs definition. Outlining specific capital projects in the Master Plan allowing public to identify when a project is likely to get funded. Desire for a timeline that shows how Measure “P” funding is being spent. Importance of aligning timelines to better inform community residents about park improvements. Specific improvements, such as additional bleachers, splash parks, pool maintenance, and gymnasium updates, being reflected in the Parks Master Plan. Coordinated approach to project planning to ensure transparency and effectiveness in serving residents. Master Plan serving as an outline of priorities. Need to continuously inform the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and others regarding the highest need neighborhoods as the definition changes every three years. Master Plan being broad enough to include evolving priorities based on the updated definitions, and Struggles with this understanding. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes October 14, 2024 Commission On motion of Commissioner Caglia, seconded by Commissioner Dohlin, that the PARCS Master Plan technical amendment and environmental assessment be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 9 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Singh and Commissioner Soto 12.-C. ID 24-1369 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 7:34 P.M. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Lisa Flores. Public comment closed at 7:35 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: Conflict of interest procedures. DISCUSSED 13. Adjournment Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at 7:36 P.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission during the October 28, 2024, regular meeting with Commissioners Dohlin, Miller, Singh, and Soto absent. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6