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, November 4, 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 5 - Chair Kimberly McCoy, Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski, Commissioner Scott Miller, and Commissioner Christina Soto Absent 4 - Vice Chair Laura E. Ward, Commissioner Rose Caglia, Commissioner Jon Dohlin, and Commissioner Harman Singh 3. Pledge of Allegiance Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Approve Agenda On motion of Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Commission Barraza, the Agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto Absent: 4 - Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin and Commissioner Singh 5. Approval of Minutes 5.-A. ID 24-1485 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of October 28, 2024. On motion of Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Kucharski, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto Absent: 4 - Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin and Commissioner Singh 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: There was no update from the San Joaquin River Parkway. 6-D. Cultural Arts Grant Fund Subcommittee There was no update from the Cultural Arts Grant Fund Subcommittee. 7. Members Reports and Comments There were no reports and comments from the commissioners. 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Commission PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Noted a tray memo was sent out to the commission with follow-up responses to questions from last week's meeting. 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: Brandi N, and Sarah Parks. 10. Workshops: 10.-A. ID 24-1494 Workshop - Overview of FY 2025 Landscape, Trails, Beautification, & San Joaquin River Parkway to inform the FY 2026 budget. (Public Works Department) The above item was presented to the Commission by Public Works Director Mozier, and assistant Director Russell. Commission discussion on this item included: Measure "P" serving as a contingency fund, and future projects. San Joaquin River Parkway Conservancy's issues being addressed. Keeping Measure "P" funds in Southwest Fresno for other projects. Types of maintenance crews working on projects. Greatest needs for maintenance throughout the city. Peach Avenue Widening project. Beautification efforts in Southwest Fresno, and deferred maintenance. Initiating meetings with the Public Works Department and the San Joaquin River Conservancy. PRESENTED 10.-B. ID 24-1495 Workshop- Overview of FY 2025 Park Ranger Program to inform the FY 2026 budget. (Police Department) The above item was presented to the Commission by Deputy Police Chief Landon. Commission discussion on this item included: Badge numbers of park rangers, and time of service. Shifts and hours Park Rangers work. Park Rangers working by themselves or with a partner. Crime prevention training City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Commission for Park Rangers. Incorporating culture diversity training for Park Rangers. Public safety and benchmarks to assess the additional funding from Measure "P". Tools the Police Department uses to measure benchmarks, and improvements. How parks are monitored by Park Rangers. Engagement with residents in city parks. PRESENTED 10.-C. ID 24-1496 Workshop- Overview of FY 2025 Beautify Fresno to inform the FY 2026 budget. (Department of Public Utilities) The above item was presented to the Commission by Beautify Fresno Director Standriff. Commission discussion on this item included: Focusing on the highest needs neighborhoods. Discussions with Fresno Unified School District for partnerships. New focus of Beautify Fresno 2.0, and past focus. Testing soil at community gardens. Private owner compensation for city projects on private property. Partnership with Fresno Building Healthy Communities. Adopt a park project now called Love Fresno. Funding for Beautify Fresno. New mural policy for the city. Graffiti on murals. Inclusion of younger volunteers. Not discouraging private property owners. Measure "P" category five funding allocated to Beautify Fresno. Number of parks adopted, responsibility of the adopter, and who adopted parks. PRESENTED 11. Discussion Items: 12. Hearings: 12.-A. ID 24-1490 Hearing - Actions pertaining to the Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services (PARCS) Department's FY 2026 Budget Build as it relates to capital projects; after school, recreation, and community services programs; and trails, beautification, and the San Joaquin River Parkway 1. Presentation - Overview of the FY 2026 budget build process. 2. Receive public input on expenditures related to the PARCS Department's FY 2026 budget. 3. Action - Make recommendations to the City Council for adoption of expenditures in connection to the PARCS Department's FY 2026 City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Commission budget (PARCS). The above item was called to order at 7:33 P.M. and was presented to the Commission by PARCS Department Assistant Director Chinevere. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Kari Daniska, and Brandi N. Public comment closed at 7:48 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: Amount of funding allocated to the San Joaquin River Conservancy, and the amount generated annually. Unexpended balance available. PARCS Department support for projects. Moving forward with projects, community outreach, and funding. Making recommendations to City Council. Various projects for the San Joaquin River Conservancy. Making expenditure requests, and recommendations for next years budget. Subcommittee support for projects. Commissioner Kucharski motioned to allocate up to $150,000 for the Camp Pashayan project as part of bucket five for the San Joaquin Parkway. Commissioner Barraza seconded the motion which PASSED by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, and Commissioner Soto Absent: 4 - Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, and Commissioner Singh Chair McCoy motioned to allocate $75,000 for a mentorship program targeting youth ages 9 to 17, with a focus on academic support, workforce readiness, and general mentorship. Commissioner Barraza seconded the motion which PASSED by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, and Commissioner Soto Absent: 4 - Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, and Commissioner Singh Commissioner Kucharski motioned to allocate up to $75,000 to engage a consultant to evaluate the sustainability and conservation aspects related to City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 Parks, Recreation, and Arts Meeting Minutes November 4, 2024 Commission the park landscape maintenance operations. Chair McCoy seconded the motion which PASSED by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, and Commissioner Soto Absent: 4 - Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, and Commissioner Singh 12.-B. ID 24-1486 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 8:18 P.M. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 8:18 P.M. There was no commission discussion on this item. 13. Adjournment Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at 8:18 P.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission during the November 18, 2024, regular meeting with Commissioner Singh absent. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6