Public Meetings - Fresno, California

The Council District 6 Project Review Committee met on February 20, 2026, at 5:31 PM to consider two project reviews, approve the meeting calendar, and discuss committee concerns. The meeting included public testimony and resulted in one project approval and one decision postponed pending developer attendance. Consent Calendar - September 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Des Martinez (community advocate) spoke on behalf of public transparency and community involvement. She emphasized that developers should be present to answer questions, noted difficulties marginalized communities face in accessing meeting information (lack of Wi‑Fi, transportation), and requested that the district explore alternative notification methods such as email listservs or printed flyers. She also expressed interest in knowing about affordable housing projects in District 6. The committee acknowledged her comments and directed her to the City Clerk’s webpage and the office of Councilmember Richardson for further assistance. - A brief public comment was made during the debate on Item B (Tentative Tract Map P24‑02432) by an unidentified speaker who noted that public comment should occur before any vote. The committee responded by allowing that comment and explaining the decision to postpone. Discussion Items - Item A – Conditional Use Permit P26‑00153 (Italian‑Inspired Sandwich Shop): Applicant James presented a proposal for a 2,600‑square‑foot focaccia sandwich shop with beer and wine service, inspired by Tuscan street food, to be located on the end‑cap of a new building near the Nessa’s and credit union. He anticipated an early April opening and stated that the parking situation had improved with the addition of approximately 140 new spots to the south. Committee members asked about parking and expressed gratitude for the developer’s personal attendance. A motion to approve carried unanimously. - Item B – Tentative Tract Map P24‑02432 (7‑Lot Single‑Family Subdivision): Gateway Engineering’s application for a 2.42‑acre parcel (APN 578‑0105) north of the Maple & Audubon fire station was presented with no developer representative present. The committee discussed the lack of representation, noting that residents and committee members had unanswered questions about traffic and site details. A motion was made to postpone any committee decision until the developer appeared to answer questions. After a roll‑call vote, the motion carried (3 in favor: Robert, Jan, Jerry; 2 opposed). The committee stated that the project would still proceed through the normal process but that they wanted to send a message about transparency. - Item C – 2026 Committee Meeting Calendar: The committee reviewed the proposed calendar and discussed the absence of a November meeting due to holidays. A consensus was reached to schedule a special meeting in November if items require a hearing. A motion to approve the calendar carried unanimously. - Committee Consultation and Unscheduled Matters: Member Jan reported an unsettling experience at the Woodward Park Post Office where two masked individuals were filming people in an apparent “rage‑baiting” tactic. Police on scene explained that public filming is legal. Jan shared the incident as a safety concern, and other members commented on similar online harassment tactics. Key Outcomes - Item A (Sandwich Shop): Approved as presented. Expected to open early April 2026. - Item B (Tentative Tract Map): Postponed indefinitely until Gateway Engineering or the developer attends a future meeting to answer questions. The committee’s vote was 3–2 in favor of postponement. - Meeting Calendar: Approved for 2026, with flexibility to hold a special November meeting if needed. - Public Access: The committee acknowledged the public comment about notification barriers and directed the speaker to the offices of Councilmember Richardson and staff Nicole for assistance in establishing a direct email or notification system for District 6 meetings.

The Fresno City Council met on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from approximately 9:00 AM to 4:52 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included ceremonial proclamations, a lengthy consent calendar, three public hearings (eminent domain, rezone for an adult day care, and the Central Southeast Area Specific Plan), contested consent items for homeless shelter contracts, and a closed session resulting in a vote to initiate litigation to protect federal grants. A significant portion of the afternoon was consumed by debate over the Central Southeast Area Specific Plan, which was ultimately tabled to March 19, 2026. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes for January 29, 2026 Regular and Special Meetings, and February 10, 2026 Special Meeting. - Introduced Bill B-2 (amending campaign contribution limits) with a clerical correction; laid over. - Authorized the Mayor to apply for the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board Adult and Dislocated Worker Career Services Provider Designation. - Tabled Item 2-D (41st Amendment to AAR for Measure P arts funding) to Feb 26, 2026, pending Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission review. - Approved acquisition of a 0.37-acre parcel for Pump Station 102A Wellhead Treatment Project ($168,000). - Adopted Resolution 2026-15 (590th Amendment to Master Fee Schedule). - Approved purchase of an Elgin CNG street sweeper ($628,670). - Approved three service agreements for Youth Service Corps Homeless Pilot Program totaling $700,000 (Poverello House $507,171; RH Builders $137,860.80; WestCare $54,968.20) after Councilmember Arias returned item from contested consent. - Adopted Side Letter of Agreement and Salary Resolution amendment for FAPSOA (Unit 11). - Adopted Resolution 2026-18 appropriating $1,797,373 from Local Housing Trust Fund. - Approved first amendments for emergency shelter operations at Ambassador Inn ($1,324,600), Villa Motel ($1,299,998), and Fresno Home ($1,250,000) under HHAP. (These were debated as contested consent, then approved.) - Approved first amendment for youth bridge beds with FEOC ($504,413) for 2026-2028. (Also contested consent, approved.) - Accepted additional STEP grant funding ($98,000 total $733,000) and approved software license for RIPA data reporting ($86,000). - Authorized EPA Drinking Water System Infrastructure grant ($3,700,214) for replacing failing water service laterals. - Approved summary vacation of a public street easement north of North Riverside Drive and West Palo Alto Avenue. - Authorized submission of BUILD grant application. - Appointed Aric Mine to the Active Transportation Advisory Committee (term to 2029). - Adopted Resolution 2026-23 supporting Health and Welfare Trust's efforts in the Blue Shield contract dispute, approving up to $50,000 in legal fees. Public Comments & Testimony - Dez Martinez (on consent items) expressed strong opposition to the Youth Service Corps program, alleging that youth (aged 18-24) should not work in shelters or outreach due to trauma risks, and cited a pending wage theft lawsuit against one provider. - Nikki Real (on closed session) voiced general concerns about litigation items. - Edward Gonzales (on ID 26-107, Ashlan Widening easements) argued that the Resolution of Necessity was unnecessary because property owners had already signed agreements, and requested denial or postponement. - Nikki Real (on ID 26-76, adult day care rezone) made brief comments about CEQA piecemealing. - Dirk Poeschel (on CSASP) spoke on behalf of the Gandulia Lapopolo family, requesting density increase for 9.5 acres at Florida and Chestnut. - Jose Leon Barraza (on CSASP) expressed support for the plan, but emphasized the need to address poverty, abandoned buildings (UMC, IRS site), and lack of sidewalks; urged prioritization of Southeast Fresno funding. - Debbie McCann (on CSASP, for Sunnyside Property Owners Association) supported the plan generally but worried that repealing the Roosevelt Community Plan and Butler/Willow Specific Plan would remove protections for historic Butler Avenue trees. - Bonique Emerson (on CSASP, representing property owner at Maple and Butler) requested that 6.6 acres be changed to Corridor Center Mixed Use; claimed fees were paid in 2024 for CEQA analysis but the property was not included; requested continuance. - Sue Williams (on CSASP) echoed tree protection concerns and safety at Peach and Butler; asked that existing plans remain in place until a new plan covers the full area. - Unscheduled Communication: Pastor Isabel Vela alleged constitutional violations and injury from a Feb 6, 2026 arrest, requesting officer removal and policy reform. Brunette objected to CDBG funding allocation and alleged illegal use of block grants. Arabella Thompson described being threatened with arrest and refusal of female officer. Another speaker criticized Brown Act compliance and federal funding use. Discussion Items - Ceremonial Presentations (4 proclamations): Black History Month honoring Nancy Whittle (via video), Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (Marjaree Mason Center), Beginning of Ramadan 2026, and American Heart Month (with American Red Cross and American Heart Association). - Councilmember Reports covered District clean-ups, veterans home donation drive, zoo entrance design dispute, federal funding for San Joaquin River access, and health insurance concerns. - City Manager Reports recognized staff for emergency responses (Christmas water break, holiday utility incident, Blackstone/McKinley demo) and noted the Mayor was in Berkeley opposing a League of California Cities proposal to change online sales tax distribution (could cost Fresno $12-15 million). Assistant City Manager announced warming center hours. - ID 26-107: Resolution of Necessity for Ashlan Widening eminent domain. Staff noted property owners signed agreement late Feb 18 but recommended adopting the resolution as a precaution. Council approved 7-0. - ID 26-76: Rezone and development permit for an adult day care facility on ±1.17 acres at southeast corner of Cedar and Hampton. Councilmember Arias questioned proximity to Club One Casino and liquor licenses; staff confirmed parking exceeds requirements (66 spaces vs 50 required). Approved 7-0. - ID 26-86: Central Southeast Area Specific Plan (CSASP). Extensive staff presentation by Program Administrator Pagoulatos. Over 2,067 acres, 119 acres proposed for land use change. Community engagement since 2018. Planning Commission recommended approval. Issues raised: historic tree protection, traffic at Peach/Butler, inclusion of property at Maple/Butler for CMX, and an email from the City Attorney about potential litigation. Council discussion became heated, with Councilmember Arias accusing colleagues of linking the item to an unrelated West Fresno rezone. Council President Karbassi defended against accusations. Motion by Karbassi to table the item to March 19, 2026 at 9:20 AM passed 5-2 (Arias and Vang opposed). Council also directed that a closed session item be added to Feb 26 to discuss legal risk. - Contested Consent Items (2-K, 2-L): Staff confirmed 165 shelter beds with high utilization and 8 youth bridge beds at 100% utilization with occasional overcapacity. Approved 7-0. - General Administration Item 3-A: Retirement System Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). City Manager White read a statement disagreeing with the system's claim of a city contribution shortfall, noting the systems are 118-120% funded. Since no retirement representative was present, Council tabled the item indefinitely. - Closed Session (11:15 AM and 3:35 PM): Items included labor negotiations, anticipated litigation (several cases), and public employee performance evaluation. Report out: By a 6-0 vote (Esparza absent), Council authorized filing litigation against federal officials (Kristi Noem, Karen Evans, Doug Burgum, Pamela Bondi) and their agencies to protect SAFER grants for firefighters and law enforcement. Key Outcomes - Agenda approved as amended (six ceremonial changes, consent item removals, contested consent designations). - Resolution 2026-14 (Ashlan Widening eminent domain) adopted 7-0. - Bill B-1 introduced and Ordinance 2026-2 adopted (adult day care rezone and development permit) 7-0. - Central Southeast Area Specific Plan tabled to March 19, 2026 at 9:20 AM (vote 5-2). - Consent calendar approved (6-0, Maxwell absent), including Resolutions 2026-15 through 2026-23. - Contested consent items (shelter contracts) approved 7-0. - Retirement ACFR tabled indefinitely (7-0). - Closed session litigation authorization (6-0) to sue federal entities over grant protections. - Unscheduled communication received; no formal action taken.

The Building Standards Appeals Board met on February 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers to hear two code enforcement appeals and to approve an amendment to the board's rules and regulations. Chair Imelda Golik presided. Key decisions included affirming an administrative citation for an unpermitted shed while granting additional compliance time, approving a new attendance policy limiting unexcused absences, and dismissing a notice and order for a property on North Van Ness Boulevard by a 3-2 vote. Consent Calendar - No items were placed on the consent calendar. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during the general public comment period. Discussion Items - Appeal of Administrative Citation E25-06722 (7462 E. Fedora Avenue): The board heard an appeal by Carmen Sanchez regarding a $250 citation for an unpermitted prefabricated shed. Staff (Assistant City Attorney Christina Roberson and Inspector Gilbert Ruelas) presented evidence that the structure required a permit, proper notice was given, and the permit process had not been completed. Appellant Sanchez explained she was unaware a permit was needed and requested additional time due to financial hardship. After discussion, the board affirmed the citation (finding the violation supported by code) but granted an extension until June 3, 2026, for Sanchez to submit complete building plans; staff agreed not to issue further citations before that date provided progress was made. Motion carried 5-0. - Amendment to Board Rules and Regulations (ID 26-141): Assistant Director Ashley Atkinson presented a new attendance requirement (Article 4, Section 3) modeled after the Historic Preservation Commission: board members may not have more than five unexcused absences in a fiscal year, with written notification to the member and Mayor’s Office potentially leading to removal; excused absences require prior notice. The board approved the amendment unanimously (5-0). - Appeal of Notice and Order E25-16428 (7443 N. Van Ness Boulevard): The board considered an appeal by property owners Bryce and Jennifer Hovanishan (represented by Attorney Michael Titus) of a December 4, 2025, Notice and Order citing five violations: unpermitted remodeling, rubbish/junk, outdoor storage, vehicle on unpaved surface, and unpermitted stucco work. Staff presented photographic evidence of toilets, sinks, a large plumbing fixture, building materials, and an unfinished stucco appearance. The appellants argued the work was cosmetic (tiling, painting, removing and reinstalling a drop-in tub, scraping and re-dashing stucco) and that material was being moved in and out. The building official (Eric Frampton) provided guidance: replacing a toilet in the same location does not require a permit, but relocation does; a simple color coat on existing stucco typically does not require a permit, but removal/replacement with lath and water-resistive barrier would; 220-volt wiring modifications require electrical permits. The property owner declined an interior inspection. Board members debated the evidence, noting the preponderance of evidence standard and the lack of verification of interior work. The board voted 3-2 to grant the appeal and dismiss the Notice and Order (Chair Golik, Board Members Field and Mears in favor; Vice Chair Vincent and Board Member Ransom opposed). Key Outcomes - Appeal E25-06722: Denied the appeal (confirmed the administrative citation) but allowed the appellant until June 3, 2026, to submit complete building plans and avoid further citations if good-faith progress is shown. Vote: 5-0. - Rules Amendment (ID 26-141): Approved the attendance policy amendment. Vote: 5-0. - Appeal E25-16428: Granted the appeal and dismissed the December 4, 2025, Notice and Order. Vote: 3-2. - Next Steps: The meeting adjourned at 2:19 p.m.

The Fresno City Council convened a special meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, primarily to enter closed session on three potential litigation items. The posted start time was 10:15 AM; roll call began at 10:30 AM. Six members were initially present, and Councilmember Miguel Angel Arias joined via Zoom at 10:49 AM. After public comment and brief statements, Council went into closed session at 10:49 AM and returned with one reportable action. Consent Calendar - The agenda was approved 6–0 on a motion by Councilmember Maxwell, seconded by Councilmember Perea; Councilmember Arias was recorded absent. Public Comments & Testimony - Ashley, a small business owner, artist, and Measure P recipient, said artists and community members were shocked by reported misappropriation of funds by the Fresno Arts Council. She described a pattern of dismissed transparency concerns and called for transparency, accountability, and urgency from the Council. - Alicia Rodriguez, representing the Labyrinth Art Collective, echoed those concerns and asked the city to prioritize unfunded Measure P grantees and extend deadlines for grantees who already received funds, saying the uncertainty has harmed artists and community organizations. - Erin Burd, Executive Director of Arts Enrichment for All and a Measure P grant recipient/fiscal agent, said her organization received 90% of its funds but had concerns about completing projects. She requested that grantees and fiscal agents be invited to the table to help solve the funding crisis quickly. (The transcript spells this name as 'Aaron Byrd'; the minutes list 'Erin Burd.') - Dez Martinez spoke about Falcon Court housing, saying five people were selected for transfer but 45 others were told to find alternatives or return to shelter. She urged the city to move remaining residents into the Blackstone complex, raised concerns about state funds, lease agreements, application criteria, and risks to senior residents on oxygen, and noted a state-funded $10.15 million complex remained empty. - Nikki Real commented on meeting structure, saying the public should be able to view presentations before commenting so they can engage meaningfully. Council President Statement - Council President Karbassi read a statement, which he said were his own comments, recommending that Fresno Unified School District not balance its budget by freezing wages for classified employees. He said classified employees ensure students get to school, have safe schools, and are fed, and that these workers deserve respect and dignity. He also acknowledged his father's 84th birthday and a staff member's birthday. Closed Session - City Attorney Janz announced that closed session would cover three items, A, B, and C, each titled 'Conference with Legal Counsel – Potential Litigation' under Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), with one potential case each. - The Council withdrew to closed session at 10:49 AM. Items A and B were discussed with no open-session announcement. Key Outcomes - On closed-session item C, the Council voted 5–0, with Councilmembers Karbassi, Arias, Vang, Richardson, and Esparza voting yes and Councilmembers Perea and Maxwell absent. The Council directed the City Attorney to draft a resolution supporting the Health and Welfare Trust so that the contract dispute between Community and Blue Shield is resolved quickly and favorably for City employees, including a retroactive provision, for the next meeting. - Council President Karbassi said the administration and City Council would issue a joint statement on another item shortly. - The meeting adjourned at 12:49 PM. The minutes state '12:49 A.M.,' which appears to be a typographical error given the meeting's morning timeline.

The Fresno Planning Commission met on 2026-02-05 per the meeting metadata; the written minutes are dated Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 6:00 PM, a discrepancy noted here. Chair Peter Vang called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Five commissioners were present (Vang, Bray, Lyday, Calandra, Shergill); Commissioners Criner and Diaz were absent. The Commission recommended approval of the Central Southeast Area Specific Plan and related environmental actions to the City Council, and received a workshop on substantial evidence. Continued Matter: Central Southeast Area Specific Plan (ID 26-125) - Sophia Pagoulatos of the Planning and Development Department presented the plan, which covers 2,067 acres between Downtown Fresno and Sunnyside, with a population of about 31,000 and about 9,500 homes. The Commission previously recommended approval in May 2023; minor updates were made and the Mitigated Negative Declaration was recirculated to remove reliance on the General Plan programmatic EIR. - Outreach from 2018–2021 included a 15-member steering committee, stakeholder meetings, workshops, surveys, mailings, and an engagement toolkit. Staff cited an estimated 600 survey responses and roughly 400 additional participants. The Airport Land Use Commission found the plan consistent in 2023 on a 7-0 vote, and Council District 5's project review committee recommended approval on June 12, 2023. - The plan proposes land use changes on about 119 acres (less than 6% of the plan area), mostly to increase residential capacity and support mixed-use corridors, and adds approximately 2,938 units of additional housing capacity. It also proposes repealing the Roosevelt Community Plan (about 15,721 acres) and the Butler/Willow Specific Plan (about 563 acres), adopting the Central Southeast Area Specific Plan, amending the General Plan land use map, and rezoning approximately 119 acres. - The public comment period for the recirculated Mitigated Negative Declaration ran December 19, 2025 to January 19, 2026; six comment letters were received. Staff's environmental consultant concluded that no further environmental analysis was required. Three housing element sites in the plan area are affected, with a combined capacity of 232 dwelling units; the proposed changes add 489 units of lower-income capacity, reduce moderate-income capacity by 4 units, and reduce above-market capacity by 218 units. - Five property owners requested to retain their existing General Plan land use designations rather than the plan's proposed designations. Staff reported these requests would reduce the plan's housing capacity surplus by about 147 units, but the plan would still add housing capacity. The environmental consultant had not yet determined whether those requests fall within the scope of the environmental document. Public Comments & Testimony - Dirk Cushell, on behalf of the Gandulia family, spoke in support. He said the family has owned or worked their 9.5-acre property near Chestnut and Florence for more than 80 years and asked that it be designated urban neighborhood, which he said staff and the advisory committee supported. - Chris Hernandez, representing Richard Hernandez, spoke in support but with questions. He described a roughly 15-acre property with a horticultural nursery (Maple Evener Nursery) operating since 1969, and asked how rezoning would affect the business and what notifications would follow. - An unidentified speaker opposed the plan, questioning where and when outreach meetings occurred and the ratio of staff to community attendees. The speaker asserted Fresno is over 14,000 units behind on affordable housing, cited a 48% rise in homelessness and $700 million in funding, and called for a pause and a restart with more community involvement. - A second unidentified speaker opposed the plan, arguing the process was rushed, notification was inadequate, and the environmental review was incomplete. The speaker said there was "no rush" and objected to meeting procedures. - Staff responded that existing businesses would be grandfathered, that a nursery/garden center would be a legal use under the proposed zoning, that outreach documentation and sign-in sheets could be made available, and that the plan increases residential capacity by 2,938 units. Commission Questions and Action - Commissioners asked about the Sunnyside Property Owner Association's letter concerning scenic corridor and olive trees; staff said the plan includes no street widening. Commissioners also asked about continuation of legal nonconforming uses and housing capacity; staff confirmed such uses can continue and the plan adds 2,938 units of capacity. - Vice Chair Bray moved to forward the plan to the City Council while leaving an option for the five property owner requests to be granted if they are determined to be within the scope of the additional environmental assessment. Commissioner Calandra seconded. Staff indicated the scope determination was anticipated to be completed before the City Council meeting. The motion carried 5-0: Ayes – Vang, Bray, Lyday, Calandra, Shergill; Absent – Criner, Diaz. Workshop: Substantial Evidence (ID 26-140) - Planning staff (Israel Trejo and Phillip Siegrist) presented a training workshop on substantial evidence under CEQA and the Development Code. - They explained that findings, especially findings modifying staff recommendations, must be supported by facts, technical reports, expert testimony, and information in the record. Substantial evidence was distinguished from argument, speculation, unsubstantiated opinion, and social or economic concerns not tied to physical environmental impacts. - The workshop covered examples involving parking, traffic, scenic vistas, lighting, and conditional use permit findings. Commissioners asked about how to weigh conflicting testimony and how code complaints relate to project-specific decisions. - Best practices included avoiding ex parte communications, separating fact from opinion, articulating findings on the record, not rushing decisions, and ensuring modifications are linked to identifiable evidence. No vote was taken. Unscheduled Oral Communications - A speaker objected to the Commission's handling of interruptions, said the public should not be silenced in a public building, and requested a visible timing system because the speaker could not see the podium lights. - A speaker identifying as Brunette with HEAT raised concerns about Southwest Fresno planning, alleging a roundabout at Pottle and Martin Luther King was proposed without proper community notification and after federal funds had already been received. The speaker opposed the roundabout and said the community was pursuing legal action against the city. - A third speaker echoed concerns about federal funding requirements, public notification, and environmental review, and urged the Commission not to feel pressured to approve items. Key Outcomes - The Planning Commission voted 5-0 (with Criner and Diaz absent) to recommend approval to the City Council of the Central Southeast Area Specific Plan package: adoption of the recirculated Mitigated Negative Declaration, repeal of the Roosevelt Community Plan and Butler/Willow Specific Plan, adoption of the Central Southeast Area Specific Plan, amendment of the General Plan land use map, and rezoning of approximately 119 acres, with an option to incorporate five property owner requests if found within the scope of the environmental review. - The substantial evidence workshop was informational; no action was taken. - The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m. according to the minutes.

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 PM on February 5, 2026, with committee members present. The primary business was the review and recommendation of a development permit application (P25-03694) for a 1.8-acre infill project at 4567 North Brawley Avenue, proposing two new industrial buildings. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval. Consent Calendar - Approved the draft minutes from the December 11, 2025 meeting via unanimous motion. Discussion Items - Project P25-03694 – 4567 North Brawley Avenue - Applicant: Don Pickett of Don Pickett and Associates, representing himself. - Proposal: Construction of two industrial buildings on approximately 1.8 acres zoned IL. - Building 1: 18,713 sq ft office/warehouse shell building with approximately 8,000 sq ft of office space. - Building 2: 10,053 sq ft personal storage facility with 8 storage units and a shared restroom. - Project representative Eric Vincent explained that the adjoining owners’ association to the west was consulted and approved the design, which is consistent with neighboring structures. Building 1 is in negotiations with Wizix, a business technology company currently located nearby, which would occupy the entire building. Building 2 is intended for storage only, not for business operations. - Committee questions covered: the scope of the neighborhood association (limited to the two adjacent buildings to the west), environmental history (the site was previously graded and contained a flood-control ponding basin that was poorly backfilled; the applicant plans to over-excavate and recompact, and will handle abandonment of an old storm drain pipe), and zoning consistency (IL is correct). No major concerns were raised. - Committee members expressed that the project appears straightforward, supports infill development, and meets adjacent uses. All three members recommended approval. Key Outcomes - The committee unanimously recommended approval of development permit P25-03694. - Administrative Matters: - The staff liaison announced that the next committee meeting will include selection of a chair and vice chair, and that a committee seat is vacant (the city council is seeking a replacement). - A committee member requested training on basic parliamentary procedure; the staff liaison agreed to discuss the possibility with the director. - The meeting was adjourned by unanimous motion.

The Fresno City Council held a combined regular and special meeting covering a public health proclamation, council and city manager reports, the 590th amendment to the master fee schedule, La Hacienda veteran housing funding, the dissolution of the Tower District Design Review Committee, creation of an ad hoc policy review committee, amendments to the Transparency Act, a closed session on anticipated litigation, and extensive unscheduled public comment on the animal overpopulation crisis. Note on dates: The agenda and minutes identify this meeting as Thursday, January 29, 2026 (agenda 11:00 AM; special-meeting roll call 1:51 PM), while the date provided for this summary is February 2, 2026. The transcript shows the regular session called to order at 9:12 AM and the separately noticed special meeting (closed session) called at 1:51 PM. Consent Calendar - The agenda was approved 7-0 after Councilmember Arias moved items 2C (master fee schedule) and 2I (construction contract cancellation) to contested consent, Councilmember Perea pulled 2H (Tower District Design Review Committee), and Councilmember Richardson pulled 2E (La Hacienda). Item 2L (Transparency Act amendments) was moved to agenda section 4B with Councilmember Vang added as co-sponsor. - The remaining consent calendar passed 7-0. Councilmember Arias noted a signature-page error on the 590th master fee schedule amendment (year listed as 2025 instead of 2026). Proclamation - Councilmember Perea sponsored a proclamation declaring January 2026 Cervical Health Awareness Month. Stephanie, representing the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) Fresno chapter, expressed gratitude for the recognition. The proclamation cited approximately 1,485 new cervical cancer cases diagnosed annually in California and an estimated 38 new cases annually in Fresno County, and encouraged screening (Pap and HPV testing starting at age 21) and HPV vaccination. Councilmember Reports - Councilmember Arias reported on MLK Boulevard reconstruction and Cesar Chavez Boulevard improvements, and requested a public memo from the police chief clarifying whether the city would decline to enforce state law only as to ICE mask rules or also for crimes such as murder. He said 32 individuals died in ICE custody last year and eight this year, including Alex Predi, an intensive care nurse shot and killed in Minneapolis. - Councilmember Vang reported on a Boys and Girls Club event, the Bo Hate Center groundbreaking, and an upcoming Southeast Asian business study. - Councilmember Maxwell highlighted Horn Barbecue's opening, a $50,000 youth sports scholarship pilot program for children from families on SNAP, welfare, or PG&E assistance, and visits to CASA, Focus Forward, and Innovative Minds. - Councilmember Richardson promoted the Fresno app and local businesses; on animal funding, he said his office is working on training shelter animals for adoption by veterans and encouraged residents to contact the specific entities involved. - Council Vice President Esparza reported on a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" reading and El Premio Mayor's new location; he also described school-safety improvements including left-turn phasing. - Councilmember Perea urged residents to enroll in Covered California before the January 31 deadline. City Manager Report - City Manager Georgeanne White reported a fire at the Carl's Jr. property at Blackstone and McKinley (part of the grade separation project); one firefighter suffered minor wrist burns. Bids for demolition had been opened January 20, with a contract award planned for February 19, but the fire made the material hazardous. She said she would expedite demolition under emergency health and safety exceptions, potentially via a special council meeting. - She reported that the League of California Cities Revenue and Taxation Committee recommended modifying sales tax for e-commerce transactions, which she said would cost Fresno $12-15 million annually; the mayor sent a January 7 letter opposing it. - She read the mayor's response to Councilmember Arias: Fresno PD will follow state law on mask wearing; requiring Fresno PD to arrest ICE agents "is not fair to our officers" because it would force a confrontation between two armed people; officers have a duty to intervene if they see an agent physically abusing a person; and the federal supremacy clause would take effect if an ICE agent shot someone, though the mayor hopes Fresno PD would investigate alongside the federal agency. Item 2C — 590th Amendment to the Master Fee Schedule - The item proposed fee increases at the airport, animal center, finance department, solid waste, wastewater, water, and public works, effective July 1, 2026. City Manager White said many increases reflect labor-rate adjustments and that the master fee schedule is brought before the budget annually. - Animal Center Director Alma Torres said the health certificate fee would rise $2.68 (from $76.41 to $79.09), and new $50 foster-to-adopt and $25 adoption-hold deposits would be reimbursable if the adopter follows through. - General Services Director Brian Barr said six City Hall rental fees would rise and two would fall because rounding changed from the nearest $5 to the nearest $1. - Councilmember Arias questioned the timing and resident impact; Councilmember Richardson moved to postpone the item to the February 19, 2026 meeting, seconded by Arias. The motion passed 4-3 (noes: Karbassi, Vang, Maxwell). City Manager White warned that failure to approve the schedule reduces revenue for the FY 2026-27 budget. Item 2E — La Hacienda HomeKey Plus Funding - Planning staff explained that the council previously approved $3.7 million in local housing trust funds, plus $500,000 from Self-Help Enterprises, to acquire La Hacienda through bankruptcy. The city and Self-Help jointly applied to the state Department of Housing and Community Development for HomeKey Plus funds, awarded late last year. - The item authorized accepting the award, appropriating the funds, executing a regulatory agreement and restrictive covenants, and an MOU with Self-Help Enterprises. The project includes 18 units, 17 for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness (including those with substance-abuse and mental-health conditions), and also supports couples and small families. Veteran-serving organizations will refer eligible veterans through coordinated entry. - Approved 7-0. Item 2H — Tower District Design Review Committee - Councilmember Perea explained that the updated Tower District Specific Plan created a new implementation committee that will take over design-compliance duties, making the existing Design Review Committee redundant; dissolving it is a cleanup item. Approved 7-0. - Public comment: Aaron Hightower opposed dissolution (Resolution 2681), arguing the 1991-era committee provides independent aesthetic review and that the city should enhance civil discussion rather than dissolve it. Item 2I — Old Print Shop (President B) Building - Councilmember Arias asked about security given the Carl's Jr. fire. City Manager White said the building has 24/7 security (one guard patrolling every 30 minutes), monthly fire-system inspections, and police use of the parking lot; the city is proceeding with environmental review and demolition bid documents. Arias expressed concern about fire risk and said he would support additional security if needed. Approved 7-0. Item 4A — Ad Hoc Policy Review Committee - Council President Karbassi proposed a temporary, advisory committee (members: Karbassi, Vang, Richardson) to review policies including the Transparency Act and the San Joaquin River Bluff Protection Act; recommendations would come back to the full council in public meetings. City Attorney Andrew Janz said Brown Act compliance requires public meetings; City Manager White suggested workshops. Approved 7-0. - Public comment: Des Martinez proposed amendments (majority council appointment of committee members, adding community advisors, election of chair, a sunset date of January 29, 2027, and clearly non-binding recommendations); Brunette (Southwest Fresno) demanded community involvement from all seven districts. Item 4B — Transparency Act Amendments - Councilmember Arias said that from July to December 2025 the city received 4,692 public records requests and reviewed more than 630,000 documents; about six city attorney positions handle the requests. The amendments: (1) clarify that the $100,000 contract threshold includes pass-through services; (2) define "year" as fiscal year; (3) create a single online transparency hub for contracts, campaign filings, behest payments, financial disclosures, and lobbyist registrations. - Councilmember Vang noted the Fresno Land article took eight months to obtain records; Councilmember Perea questioned the 30-day implementation timeline; Councilmember Esparza expressed concern about administration capacity and timelines. City Clerk Amy Aller said the clerk's office could initiate the project. - The council approved an amendment directing the City Clerk to lead implementation, with 30 days as a target for a single web page of links plus a subsequent plan for a searchable database. Approved 7-0. - Public comment: Christina Holmes McIntyre criticized the council for passing a wage-hour ordinance criminalizing violations via the consent agenda and said transparency is "traceability, not trust"; Des Martinez raised Brown Act concerns and alleged unequal treatment of public speakers; another speaker added that Keith Porter Jr., a Black man killed by ICE, had been omitted from earlier remarks about ICE deaths. Closed Session (Special Meeting) - The separately noticed special meeting (agenda 11:00 AM) was called to order at 1:51 PM. Roll call: 4 present (Karbassi, Arias, Vang, Richardson); 3 absent (Esparza, Perea, Maxwell). Agenda approved 4-0. - Closed session: conference with legal counsel — anticipated litigation (Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4)), 1 potential case. The item was discussed; there were no open-session announcements. Note: the transcript also refers to "item 5A conference with labor negotiators" and "item 5B existing litigation gray versus city of Fresno," which are not listed on the provided special-meeting agenda; the minutes state only the anticipated-litigation item was discussed. Unscheduled Communication - Multiple speakers urged immediate funding for spay/neuter. Mel (California Spay co-founder) said the contract was supposed to be $100,000 but the group received "not even $70,000" over two years and has fixed over 2,000 dogs. Larie Holt said the shelter operates on an approximately $9 million annual budget with zero line-item dollars for spay/neuter prevention. Lisa Alvarado said 800 people are on the Spay California waitlist. Others (Jennifer, Wendy Walker, Caroline Harris, Kim Bryant, Sharia Newton, Lisa, Elena, Des Martinez) described stray packs, dead dogs, dumping, the Lao Buddhist temple, a $176-per-day fine for exceeding the four-dog limit, and a pit bull killing an elderly man's dog. - Kristen Monroe and other speakers addressed ICE enforcement, referencing a five-year-old child detained in Dilley, Texas, and the killing of an ICU nurse; they asked what proactive measures the city will take to protect community members. Gabriel Lozano raised road safety (12 deaths in Southeast Fresno), potholes, and burned buildings. - Council President Karbassi responded that the city shelter serviced nearly 10,000 animals last year, that millions had been allocated, and that he is open to "reasonable requests" as the budget is prepared in June. Key Outcomes - Agenda approved 7-0; consent calendar approved 7-0. - January 2026 proclaimed Cervical Health Awareness Month. - Master fee schedule (2C) postponed to February 19, 2026, by a 4-3 vote. - La Hacienda HomeKey Plus funding (2E) approved 7-0. - Tower District Design Review Committee dissolution (2H) approved 7-0. - Old Print Shop building item (2I) approved 7-0. - Ad Hoc Policy Review Committee created (4A) 7-0, with members Karbassi, Vang, and Richardson. - Transparency Act amendments (4B) approved 7-0, directing the City Clerk to lead implementation. - Closed session held with no reportable action. Meeting adjourned at 3:39 PM.