Public Meetings - Fresno, California

The Fresno Planning Commission held a workshop on September 4, 2026 (though the transcript references September 2, the date provided in the instruction is used), focusing on the city's Development Code and subdivision map design standards. The commission approved the agenda with no changes and had no consent calendar items. A previously continued item (ID 261176) was moved to September 16. Discussion Items - Development Code Workshop: Planning managers Phil Seagrist and Israel Trejo presented an overview of the six-part structure of the Development Code (Chapter 15 of the Fresno Municipal Code), including general provisions, base and overlay districts, regulations applying to some or all districts, land divisions, administration, and definitions. Key topics included non-conforming uses, density calculations, parking reductions, landscaping standards, and the roles of various planning authorities (city council, planning commission, director). Commissioners asked about community facilities district (CFD) maintenance schedules, potential text amendments for data centers (as reported by the Business Journal), the conditional use permit (CUP) process for smoke shops (noted as director-level unless appealed), and the requirement for developers to install utilities for smaller parcels versus larger parcels. - Subdivision Maps Workshop: Supervising planner Rob Holt detailed the subdivision map process, including tentative and final maps, density calculations (net acreage), lot size/depth/width requirements, double-frontage lots, connectivity and street design (connector streets, stub streets, emergency vehicle access), pedestrian access to major streets, trailer design (requiring homes to face trails), and open space requirements (required for subdivisions with more than 50 parcels, calculated at 0.01884 acres per dwelling unit). Commissioners asked about ownership and maintenance of corner lot landscaping (deeded to the city and maintained via CFD) and the calculation of remainder parcels. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were made; the meeting was purely educational. - Staff indicated they could hold future workshops on specific topics such as parking, signs, or community facilities districts. - Chair Bray requested a hard copy of the Development Code. - The continued item (ID 261176) was rescheduled to September 16.

The Building Standards Appeals Board of the City of Fresno met on September 4, 2026, to consider a progress hearing on an administrative citation appeal. Chair Imelda Golik was absent; Vice Chair Scott Vincent presided. Also present were Board Members Daniel Field, Scott Mears, and Rick Ransom. Staff included Deputy City Attorney Christina Pina and others. The board approved the agenda, heard one new matter, and adjourned. Note: The meeting minutes are dated Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., while the meeting record specifies September 4, 2026, 11:30 UTC; this summary uses the date provided in the record. Consent Calendar - No items were on the consent calendar. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were offered on any agenda item. Discussion Items - Item VIII-A (ID 26-1170): Progress hearing on Fresno Fire Department Citation Number 7557-1 issued to Nova Surgical at 4928 E. Clinton Way 101. The First Administrative Citation was issued September 9, 2025, and the board upheld it on July 7, 2026. - Deputy City Attorney Pina outlined three possible determinations: (i) no substantial progress, ordering double fines plus allowable costs and fees; (ii) substantial progress, continuing the hearing; or (iii) full correction, closing the case. - Pina reported that Nova Surgical submitted an updated operational statement on August 19, 2026; Planning reviewed it and confirmed an updated zone clearance was not required, but Building determined a change of use is still required. Nova Surgical is working with an architect or draftsman to prepare plans and permits. - The appellant was not present; Pina stated she had confirmed the requested action with the appellant's representative the prior day. - Board members noted the plan-check process could take four to six months but expressed reluctance to grant such a long extension without accountability. Staff recommended 60 days, citing FMC 409F, which allows a progress hearing 30 to 60 days after the current hearing. Key Outcomes - The board adopted Option ii, determining Nova Surgical has made substantial progress and continuing the progress hearing for 60 days. Motion by Board Member Field, seconded by Board Member Ransom; carried 4–0 (Ayes: Vincent, Field, Mears, Ransom; Absent: Golik). - The agenda was approved by a 4–0 vote at the start of the meeting on a motion by Ransom, seconded by Field. - The board directed staff to schedule another progress hearing in 60 days to verify that plans and permit applications are submitted. - The meeting adjourned at 1:13 p.m. on a motion by Mears, seconded by Field.

The Fresno City Council met in regular session on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street. Council President Nelson Esparza presided; Vice President Tyler Maxwell and Councilmembers Annalisa Perea, Mike Karbassi, Miguel Angel Arias, Brandon Vang, and Richardson were present. The agenda included a proclamation, a large consent calendar with several contested items, a workshop on growth and infrastructure (referred to in the record as the “SATA workshop”), a proposed data center prohibition ordinance, and a closed session. The record notes that roll call votes would not be required for part or all of the meeting because of remote appearances. Note on sources: The available transcript is a partial OCR extract with gaps, cut-off sentences, and inconsistent name spellings (e.g., City Manager “Georgeanne A.” / “Georgian White”; City Clerk “Aller”). Where speakers are not identifiable, this summary uses neutral phrasing such as “a speaker” or “one councilmember.” Proclamation - Vice President Maxwell sponsored a proclamation designating Thursday, September 3, 2026, as “Dr. [Name] Day” in honor of a doctor who returned to Fresno to help young people from families without a background in higher education. The proclamation was issued by Mayor Dyer and the Fresno City Council; Councilmember Annalisa Perea took part in the presentation. The honoree’s name is partially illegible in the transcript. Consent Calendar and Contested Items - City Clerk Aller explained that e-comments submitted through Granicus are compiled into a packet for councilmembers up to 9:00 AM the day before the meeting; later comments are still delivered into the record and are “not in any way removed from the system,” although the public tally freezes at the deadline. - Several items were pulled for separate consideration: Councilmember Richardson pulled line 1; Councilmember Arias pulled an additional item; and Item 20 (ID 26-1194), adopting the 17th Amendment to Annual Appropriation Resolution No. 2026-159, was also moved to the contested consent calendar. - Vice President Maxwell moved to reconsider a prior action; the motion was seconded by President Esparza and passed 7-0. - The consent calendar, including the contested items, was ultimately adopted. Recorded votes were all in the affirmative, with tallies of 5-0, 6-0, and 7-0 appearing in the minutes; no dissenting votes are recorded. Public Comments and Testimony - A speaker from Image Church (Fresno Street) voiced support for the data center ban, applauded Councilmember Richardson’s work on the item, and asked the Council to strengthen enforcement under Fresno Municipal Code Section 603, the city’s emergency ordinance. - A speaker raised concerns about a licensed contractor who had operated in Fresno and about “families across California who paid for homes they received,” referencing a perceived “gap” in oversight before a point of order interrupted the comment. - A speaker accused the city of “doctoring the numbers” and asked, “How are we going to power any of this?” with reference to data centers and growth. - A speaker urged the Council to prioritize small businesses over big-box retail and to give small businesses access to ownership of restaurants and commercial storefronts. - A speaker expressed distrust of the Council’s process, saying the Council was “smarter than just passing stuff … without any information” and that a commission proposal had been pushed through before the public could review it. - A speaker named Mike Betts was recognized; his remarks were not captured in the available transcript. Data Center Prohibition Ordinance - Councilmember Richardson brought forward a proposal to prohibit data centers in the City of Fresno. Council discussion addressed: - A 10-year prohibition: “No land in the city of Fresno will support this use, at least for the next 10 years.” - An amendment applying the prohibition to territory annexed to the city after the ordinance’s effective date. One councilmember clarified that the intent is to ensure the ban continues to apply when the city annexes county land, so data centers cannot be built just outside the city and later brought in through annexation. - Exemptions for hospitals with internal server rooms, City Hall’s ISD data-storage room, and businesses for which a server room is an “auxiliary use” internal to a primary operation (e.g., distribution or manufacturing). - A complementary option: including in the resolution a statement that the city would not provide services (such as utilities) to data centers located outside the city in the county. - A councilmember asked whether the city’s own server room would fit the definition. City Attorney Janz responded that an applicant could argue it does not, because the proposal targets data centers as a primary use; he also noted that a director’s determination on such questions could be challenged. - The Council’s final vote on this item is not clearly captured in the transcript, but no opposition to the direction was recorded. SATA Workshop: Growth, Infrastructure, and Density - Vice President Maxwell, Councilmember Perea, and Councilmember Karbassi were credited with negotiating a tax-sharing agreement with the county in which the city received/handled 62% of [sentence cut off in transcript]. - Participants discussed Community Facilities Districts (CFDs) on newer developments, which impose additional property taxes used to fund street maintenance, tree trimming, and similar services. - Planning staff member “Nick” explained that developers may build at any density within the low-to-high range for a zone, but may not go below the minimum or above the maximum. - One participant estimated that city-run infrastructure work costs “probably 20 to 30 percent higher than what we would do if we were in a bidding scenario,” and that the trunk lines used as a financing mechanism took “more than five, six, seven years to pay back.” - Street-design details were noted: “they fit in the street, the sewer is generally in the middle, and we offset the water line to one side.” - One councilmember said, “I am in a position to look at this plan from the perspective of the people who I represent,” observed that residents in some parts of the city are upset that development is planned “in a different part of the city,” and raised concerns about tying the hands of future councilmembers through long-term obligations. - A public commenter referenced the city’s and county’s next 30 years of growth. Closed Session - The City Attorney read the closed session items. The case “Richard Fitzgerald v. City of Fresno” (agenda subdivision D, subsection one) was continued to the September 17, 2026, meeting by the City Attorney’s Office. - The Council then held a closed session with the Mayor, the City Attorney (serving as City Negotiator, along with Council President Esparza), the City Attorney Investigator, and the City Clerk. No reportable action from the closed session appears in the available minutes. Key Outcomes - Consent calendar and contested items adopted; all recorded votes affirmative (5-0, 6-0, and 7-0). - Data center prohibition ordinance advanced with direction on annexation applicability, a 10-year horizon, and auxiliary-use exemptions (the record does not confirm a final adoption vote). - Closed session litigation item continued to September 17, 2026. - Proclamation issued designating September 3, 2026, as “Dr. [Name] Day.”

The Fresno Planning Commission met on September 3, 2026, at 5:34 PM to consider a workshop on required text amendments for the Sixth Cycle Housing Element and a conditional use permit for a smoke shop conversion. The meeting was called to order with roll call by Commissioners Dene, Janet, Lois, Denise, Bonna Alfred, Geraldine, and Jerry. The meeting adjourned at 6:12 PM. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: Motion to approve the agenda for the August 12, 2026 meeting was made, seconded, and passed unanimously by voice vote. - Meeting Minutes: Motion to approve the July 8, 2026 meeting minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously. Discussion Items - Workshop on Text Amendment P2602359 – Sixth Cycle Housing Element: Sophia Pagalatis, Program Administrator of the Housing Element, presented proposed amendments to the development code required by the housing element and state law. The amendments address objective design standards (replacing subjective criteria with quantifiable standards), state law updates on density bonuses (up to 80% bonus and four concessions for 100% affordable projects), parking reductions for ADUs and supportive housing within half-mile of transit, emergency shelter standards, low-barrier navigation centers, residential care facilities (limited to six persons), single-room occupancy units, and missing middle housing types (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, etc.). Commissioners raised questions about assisted living facilities, the impact of residential care facilities on neighborhoods, and the definition of missing middle. No vote was taken; the workshop was for discussion only. - Conditional Use Permit P25-00465 – Grun Depreet Singh: The applicant, owner of a smoke shop at 7773 First Street, requested approval to convert the business into a neighborhood market (Tony's Mini Mart) with a Type 20 alcohol license for beer and wine. The market would include groceries, produce, deli items, and household supplies. The applicant stated that the smoke shop business is declining and that the new market would focus on local, organic products. Commissioners questioned competition with nearby Safeway and Smart & Final, parking challenges, and hours of operation (9 PM to 10 PM). The applicant noted a built-in customer base and affordable wholesale prices. The commission voted to approve the permit; motion carried unanimously. Key Outcomes - Approval of Agenda and Minutes: Both approved unanimously. - Conditional Use Permit Approved: The conversion of the smoke shop to Tony's Mini Mart with beer and wine sales was approved unanimously. - Next Meeting: The next regular meeting was scheduled for September 9, 2026.

The City of Fresno held its first-ever meeting of the Commission on Family Affordability and Child Care Access on September 2, 2026, from 10:09 AM to 11:12 AM. The commission was formed to address the child care crisis in Fresno, which affects families, the workforce, and the local economy. Commissioners were sworn in, initial business was conducted, and subcommittees were discussed for future work. The meeting was followed by a press conference. Consent Calendar - Agenda Approval: The meeting agenda was approved unanimously (10–0) with Council President Esparza excused at the time. - Minutes Approval: Minutes from the August 21, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (10–0). Public Comments & Testimony - Lisa Flores (via Zoom): Urged the commission to prioritize public participation, especially parents, caregivers, and community members, and to hold listening sessions at schools. She expressed hope that the vice chair would reflect the community's need for transparency and engagement. No other public comments were made in chambers or online. Discussion Items - Oath of Office: New commissioners were sworn in by the City Clerk. - Member Reports & Introductions: Each commissioner introduced themselves and shared their background and passion for child care affordability. Commissioners included representatives from EOC, Fresno County Child Care Resource & Referral, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Youth Leadership Institute, Supportive Services Inc., First 5 Fresno County, SEIU 521 Childcare Workers, and others. Council Vice President Maxwell and Councilmember Perea also gave remarks. Mayor Jerry Dyer addressed the commission, thanking them and highlighting the city's $2 million contribution to child care and early learning. - Subcommittee Discussion: Chair Tyler Maxwell presented six proposed subcommittee topics: community engagement and needs assessment, child care supply and capacity, family affordability and access, funding and investment strategy, policy/land use/regulatory solutions, and a suggestion to add a child care workforce subcommittee. Commissioners discussed combining the family affordability and funding subcommittees, adding a workforce subcommittee, and integrating data collection into others. Consensus emerged for 3–4 subcommittees, to be formally established at the October 7, 2026 meeting. Commissioners were asked to consider chairing or serving on subcommittees. - Calendar Adoption (Item 7A): A hearing was held to adopt the amended calendar year 2026 meeting schedule. Meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 AM, except October 7 at 12:30 PM. The item passed unanimously (11–0) after no public comment. - Election of Vice Chair (Item 7B): Commissioner Andrea Cervantes Woods was nominated and seconded as vice chair. She accepted and was elected unanimously (11–0). Public comment from Lisa Flores preceded the vote. - Appointment of Alternates (Item 7C): Commissioners nominated alternates for themselves, all of whom were approved unanimously (11–0). One commissioner did not yet have an alternate and was given until the next meeting. Alternates included Sheryl Moore, Chief of Staff for Councilmember Perea, Councilmember Cabrera (as alternate for Councilmember Esparza), Marco Jimenez, Itsel Robles, Salita Garcia, Dr. Matilda Soria, Daniel Gonzalez, Kendra Division, Lupe Castillo, and Hannah Norman. Key Outcomes - Subcommittees: The commission will finalize 3–4 subcommittees at the October 7 meeting. Subcommittees will focus on community engagement, child care supply and workforce, family affordability together with funding/investment, and policy/land use/regulatory solutions. Data collection will be integrated across subcommittees. Commissioner Alvarado suggested a specific emphasis on father engagement. - Vice Chair: Commissioner Andrea Cervantes Woods was elected vice chair. - Alternates: Alternates were approved for most commissioners; the remaining alternate will be appointed at the next meeting. - Next Meeting: Scheduled for October 7, 2026 at 12:30 PM. A progress report is expected in six months (March 2027) and a final report with recommendations after one year. Note on Discrepancy: Chair Maxwell mentioned that only 27% of qualifying children have access to child care slots in Fresno, but later in the press conference he stated 23%. Both figures were used in the meeting; the source document does not resolve the discrepancy.

No agenda, minutes, or transcript were provided for this meeting. Therefore, no summary can be generated.

The City of Fresno committee met on September 2, 2026 (supplied timestamp 09:45:00+00:00) to review three residential development applications and a citywide zoning text amendment tied to the 2023–2031 sixth-cycle housing element. No agenda or minutes were available, so this summary is based on the raw transcript. Roll call was held; committee members Felix, Lonso, and Clostellus were present. Consent Calendar - Agenda approval: A motion to approve the August 13, 2026 meeting agenda passed. The transcript does not state whether this was the current meeting agenda or a previous meeting agenda. - Draft minutes: The committee approved draft minutes by motion, but the transcript is internally inconsistent about the date, referring to April 19, 2026 and April 9, 2026, and including one garbled mention of April 9, 2022, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - No public testimony appears in the transcript. After project presentations, the chair asked for public comments and none were offered. Discussion Items - Development Permit Application P2503462 — 60-unit multifamily development (Item A): Ken Bang, identified with both Vice Engineering and Lane Consulting, presented the application for a 2.89-acre site on the west side of North Hayes Avenue, south of West Shaw Avenue. The proposal is a gated, three-story, 60-unit multifamily complex with market-rate rents and no affordable housing, plus a Class I pedestrian/bike trail, curved sidewalk, and drive approach. The parcel is zoned OS + RM2; the applicant said the RM2 density range is 16 to 30 units per acre and the project would be about 21.9 units per acre. The unit mix was described as mostly three-bedroom units with some two-bedroom/two-bath units, but the exact count was not clearly transcribed. The project would be built in one phase. The applicant said a Phase I environmental assessment had not yet been done but was not needed due to the prior rural residential use; a traffic study was not required because the project is under the threshold. The applicant also said the project is all-electric, includes EV parking (set at almost 50 percent of current code requirement), provides covered parking for 50 percent of stalls, and keeps the PG&E tower area open. School comments would be routed to the school district, and state-maximum school impact fees would apply. Parking would be two spaces per unit, consistent with code for this unit type. Committee members asked about transit access and were told there is not yet a bus stop on West Shaw, though a FAX route is planned. All committee members recommended approval. - Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6552 / P260966 — 95-lot single-family subdivision (Item B): Derek Sylvester of Yamabe & Horn Engineering filed the application for DR Horton (Matt Trano); Sheryl Annanson of DR Horton presented. The 10.02-acre site is on the west side of North Hayes Avenue between West Dakota and West Dayton Avenues, and three properties would be subdivided into 95 single-family lots. The property is zoned RS5 ANX UGM. The Autumn Terrace project is within city limits at about 9.5 dwelling units per acre. It would offer three floor plans with three elevations each (nine configurations), homes from about 1,300 to 1,700 square feet, two stories, a two-car garage plus 20-foot driveway (four parking stalls per home), all-electric systems, solar, and EV-charger readiness. A centrally located 15,000-square-foot park would be dedicated to and maintained by the city. An HOA is proposed only because a temporary on-site storm drain basin must be maintained; the basin occupies six final-mapped lots on the southwest corner and would be infilled when city storm drain capacity becomes available, allowing six additional units. School impact fees would be paid to Central Unified. Committee members requested consideration of playground or activity amenities in the park, and all committee members recommended approval. - Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 6551 / P260648 — 117-lot single-family subdivision (Item C): Also filed by Yamabe & Horn Engineering for DR Horton and presented by Sheryl Annanson. The approximately 19.54-acre site is on the west side of North Bryant Avenue between West Dakota and West Shields Avenues, and five properties would be subdivided into 117 lots. The property is currently county-zoned, but the city general plan designates it for medium-low density residential and open space/neighborhood park. The Valencia Park project would be annexed into the city and pre-zoned RS4, with a density of about six dwelling units per acre. It would include four floor plans with three elevations each (12 configurations), one- and two-story homes, three to five bedrooms, 2.5 baths, optional third-car garages, and all-electric systems with solar and EV readiness. A just-under-11,000-square-foot neighborhood park would be city-maintained. Three existing farmhouses would be demolished. No HOA is proposed because the project can connect to existing storm drain capacity on Bryan Avenue. Construction would be one phase at roughly six homes per month. The applicant will seek a planned development approval for a garage-to-primary-facade standard reduction on the smallest floor plan (about 1,200 square feet), limited to 20 percent of the subdivision. Full CEQA review and a traffic study are being completed as part of the annexation process. All committee members recommended approval. - Text Amendment P2602359 — Housing Element code compliance (Item D): Sophia Pagalatis of the Planning and Development Department presented the proposed citywide development code amendment to implement the 2023–2031 sixth-cycle housing element. She explained the housing element contains 37 action programs and that the city is required to complete this code update in 2026. Proposed changes include converting subjective residential, mixed-use, and facade design standards into objective standards (for example, minimum five-foot sidewalks and tree spacing), increasing density bonuses to up to 80 percent with four concessions for 100 percent affordable projects, removing parking requirements for accessory dwelling units and for supportive housing within half a mile of transit, aligning emergency shelter parking and hours with state law, permitting low-barrier navigation centers ministerially in certain commercial and mixed-use zones, permitting residential care facilities in all residential zones without a conditional use permit, defining single-room occupancy units, permitting supportive housing in all multi-unit and mixed-use zones, and allowing missing middle housing types (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, bungalow courts, courtyard apartments, and live-work units) in single-unit zones near transit with tiers of up to 12 units within a quarter mile and up to six units within a half mile. Pagalatis said the city is in good standing with HCD and no funding is being withheld. Committee discussion focused on transit coverage and spatial equity; one committee member recommended trying to maximize the geographic application of the missing-middle provisions, while another recommended approval without conditions. The committee recommended the text amendment move forward. Key Outcomes - Agenda and draft consent minutes were approved by motion. - P2503462: recommended for approval by all committee members. - Tract Map 6552 / P260966: recommended for approval by all committee members, with an advisory request for playground or activity amenities. - Tract Map 6551 / P260648: recommended for approval by all committee members. - Text Amendment P2602359: recommended to move forward, with a committee comment about spatial equity of missing-middle housing near transit. - No administrative matters or unscheduled communications were presented; the meeting adjourned by motion.

Note: The agenda and minutes list the meeting date as August 26, 2026, but the instruction specifies August 28, 2026. This summary uses the provided date. The Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) met in regular session on August 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM at Fresno City Hall, Conference Room 2165. The meeting included the appointment of a representative to the Mobility Design Guide Stakeholder Advisory Committee, updates on railroad crossing and grade separation projects, approval of World Day of Remembrance 2026 event details, discussion on the Safe Routes to School task force, member reports from districts, and staff reports on grants, school zone speed limits, the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant, and the August traffic collision report. Seven of eight members were present; Member Mohammad Shaikh was absent. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: Moved by Vice Chair Bailey, seconded by Member Durham, and approved with 5 ayes (Chair Yovino, Vice Chair Bailey, Members Durham, Gromis, Marquez) and 3 absent (Members Mine, Shaikh, Henry). - Approval of Minutes (July 22, 2026): Moved by Member Marquez, seconded by Member Durham, and approved with 5 ayes and 3 absences. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the unscheduled communications period. - During discussion of Item 5.A (Mobility Design Guide appointment), Nick Paladino spoke, asking for clarification on the guide's status relative to existing standards. - During Item 5.B (project updates), Nick Paladino addressed the committee again. - During Item 6.B (World Day of Remembrance), Tony Molina addressed the committee. - During Item 8.B (20 mph school zone speed limit), Tony Molina spoke about enforcement. Discussion Items 5.A – Appointment of ATAC Representative to Mobility Design Guide Stakeholder Advisory Committee - Presented by Andreina Aguilar (Public Works). The committee will develop a guiding document for designing streets, with five meetings over a year. - Committee discussion: Clarification on meeting frequency and start date (mid-November to mid-December). Member Yovino expressed support. Members expressed interest. - Public comment: Nick Paladino asked whether the guide would replace existing standards; staff clarified it would be a guiding document, not replacement. - Outcome: Motion by Chair Yovino, seconded by Member Gromis, to appoint Paul Marquez. Passed 6–0 (Members Shaikh and Henry absent). 5.B – Updates on Projects - Presented by Assistant Director Harmanjit Dhaliwal (Public Works). - Figarden/BNSF At-Grade Railroad Crossing: Signal cabinet upgrade, pedestrian countdown heads, coordination with Pave More Now project and federal project. - West Belmont Grade Separation: Trees planted on east end, frontage road connecting Belmont to Weber and 8th Street. Discussion on tree placement on north side of frontage road; staff noted ongoing work with contractor to plant additional trees (2:1 replacement ratio). - August’s Capital Projects Summary: Belmont grade separation nearing completion; striping and bike lanes pending slurry seal. Member Yovino expressed concern about narrow bike lane on west end; staff clarified barriers are being removed. - Public comment from Nick Paladino. - Committee requested follow-up via email on tree plan and project timeline. 6.A – Protected Bicycle Parking Task Force - No update (committee members Yovino and Shaikh; Shaikh absent). 6.B – World Day of Remembrance 2026 Task Force - Presented by Member Marquez. Proposed event on Saturday, November 14, 2026, starting at 11 a.m. at a park near downtown (location pending). Itinerary includes remarks, reading names of crash victims, memorial walk to three crash sites, and bike ride. Attachments include one-page event summary, mayor's invitation, elected official invitation, and guest speaker invite. Task force also proposes adopting a memorial marker policy and funding Vision Zero countermeasures. - Public comment: Tony Molina. - Committee discussion: Additional details on walk/bike route; need for a covered shelter in case of rain (2026 is a Super El Niño year). Member Durham suggested inviting former councilmember Esmeralda Soria. Member Marquez noted national theme

The Fresno City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, beginning at 9:06 AM. The meeting included ceremonial presentations, scheduled hearings, a contested consent calendar, and a closed session. Key actions included the adoption of a Tobacco Retailer's License ordinance and the naming of a new park. Council President Nelson Esparza presided; Vice President Tyler Maxwell arrived at 9:35 AM. All seven council members were present for roll call. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes of August 13, 2026, meeting. - Approved the Fourth Amendment to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging. - Authorized agreements and contracts for the Fresno Chandler Executive Airport Runway 12-30 Rehabilitation Project ($318,000 for construction management; $1,543,391 construction contract). - Approved a resolution authorizing FAA grant applications for FY2027-2028 at both Fresno airports. - Approved Contract Change Order No. 1 for the Tower Theatre Fire Alarm Installation ($21,649). - Approved Change Order No. 2 for Leaky Acres Groundwater Recharge Facility ($1,669,659.62) and No. 3 for North Avenue Sewer Trunk Main Realignment ($300,000). - Awarded contracts for fire department equipment (X-Naut iPad cases), custodial services increase (ScrubCan, Inc., $518,000/year), cooperative purchase agreements for equipment/vehicle rentals and general supplies. - Approved funds for Haz Mat training ($200,000, Cal OES), and reappropriation of funds for Urban Search and Rescue and Haz Mat training. - Approved a six-month emergency extension for SimpleTherapy Employee Assistance Program. - Adopted Ordinance 2026-25 amending municipal code regarding Electric Vehicle Charging and Hydrogen Fueling Station review process. - Adopted Resolution 2026-202 naming the new park at Veterans Boulevard and Barstow Avenues "Cruz Bustamante Park." Councilmember Karbassi spoke in favor, highlighting Bustamante's legacy as a former Assembly Speaker and Lieutenant Governor. - Approved reappointment of Alysia Bonner to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board, and appointments to the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District and Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging boards. - Approved amendment to meeting schedule, moving the November 19, 2026 meeting to November 12, 2026. Public Comments & Testimony - Neil O'Brien (District 6 resident) testified that Republic Services is charging fees not authorized in the franchise agreement, including a "container access fee" and "contaminated materials fee" not listed in Exhibit J. He requested the city order credits, refunds, and enforce the contract as written. - Sherry Chavarria expressed support for naming the park after Cruz Bustamante, calling his bipartisan legacy a source of pride for the Central Valley. - Elijah Davila (Fresno County Tobacco Free Coalition) thanked council for the tobacco retail licensing policy and offered to continue education on enforcement. - Sunny Chauhan (7-Eleven franchisee) supported the tobacco ordinance but sought clarifications on the $1,000 fee and overlap with state enforcement. - Balwinder Singh (APCA) requested more time for retailer input and urged council to table the ordinance to refine language. - Jay Bhandal, Andy Chhikara, Bill Bunnell, Sukhbir Bhandal raised concerns about fee levels, license transferability, and the need for clear distinction between serious violations and minor administrative errors. - Baulia Xiong (Tobacco Free Coalition) thanked council for prioritizing public health and offered continued partnership. - Robert Park (American Cancer Society Action Network) urged stronger provisions including proactive inspections and penalties on license holders, not employees. - Joseph Rodriguez and Lisa Flores called for removal of Flock cameras ("defund Fresno"), citing privacy concerns and an online petition with over 2,300 signatures. - Gurinder Singh opposed the $1,000 fee, calling it an added burden on small businesses already paying state fees. - Alesis Sims, Jamie Morgan (American Heart Association) supported a comprehensive tobacco retail license ordinance with best practices. - Harmon Singh (District 1) criticized the lack of public process for naming the park, noting a community meeting in June promised further input but none occurred before the resolution. - Alfred Aldrete (Fresno Resistance) reiterated opposition to Flock cameras and urged council to end the contract. - Nikki Real raised concerns about data center development under CETA and asked for a moratorium. Discussion Items - Right-of-Way Vacation (North Brawley Avenue/West Buckingham Way): Public hearing opened and closed with no speakers. Resolution 2026-196 adopted unanimously (5-0, with Perea and Arias absent). - Community Facilities District No. 9 Annexation No. 75 (ID 26-1039): Staff announced this item was continued to September 17, 2026 at 9:15 AM. - EOC Lease Extension (2-N): Councilmember Arias moved to contested consent to discuss termination of Head Start programs at Mary Ella Brown and Romaine community centers. General Services Director Brian Barr explained EOC is reducing enrollment and consolidating services, that EOC had moved out months ago, and that the city plans to repurpose the spaces (e.g., senior and after-school programs). Councilmember Arias requested a short extension to allow further communication with EOC, but after clarification, approved the one-year extension. Passed 5-0 (Karbassi and Richardson absent). - Tobacco Retailer's License Ordinance (2-Y): Councilmember Richardson moved to contested consent for extensive discussion. The ordinance requires an annual license fee of $973, offset by a $1.4 million state grant to $138 per retailer. Council President Esparza and Vice President Maxwell (co-sponsors) argued it targets illegal products and is cost-based. Councilmember Richardson proposed amendments to distinguish four categories of violations (administrative, code, illegal product, sales) and to add an annual review, but did not formally offer amendments. Assistant City Attorney Aaron Martin and staff explained the fee covers enforcement, and that code enforcement has discretion in enforcement. Councilmember Arias questioned implementation timeline and funding. Councilmember Perea cited 15-day cure periods for minor violations. Councilmember Karbassi emphasized the need to protect youth and small businesses. Councilmember Vang supported the annual compliance report. The ordinance passed 6-1, with Councilmember Richardson voting no. Key Outcomes - Adopted Resolution 2026-196 for street right-of-way vacation. - Adopted Resolution 2026-202 naming the new park "Cruz Bustamante Park." - Approved the lease extension with Fresno EOC through September 1, 2027. - Adopted Ordinance 2026-26 establishing a Tobacco Retailer's License for the City of Fresno, with an annual fee initially set at $138 after grant subsidy, to begin enforcement in 2027. - Council voted 6-0 (Vang not present) in closed session to initiate litigation against an unnamed defendant. No other closed session announcements were made.