Clovis City Council Meeting Summary – August 5, 2026
Clovis City Council Meeting Summary – August 5, 2026
The Clovis City Council met in regular session on the date noted, with Mayor Mounatua presiding and Councilmembers Ashbeck, Pascal, Bessinger, and Mayor Pro Tem Pierce present. The meeting included two proclamations, public comment, approval of the consent calendar, a budget presentation, council reports, and a closed session. Note: The raw transcript states the meeting was held "Monday, May 18th at 6.01 p.m."; the metadata date of August 5, 2026 is used per instructions.
Presentations and Proclamations
- National Public Works Week (May 17–23, 2026): Councilmember Bessinger read a proclamation declaring May 17–23, 2026 as National Public Works Week, themed "Rooted in Service, Powered by Community." A staff speaker representing the American Public Works Association, Clovis Public Utilities Department, and other city departments thanked the council and recognized public works employees. Councilmembers praised staff for their service and kindness. Events included a utilities employee appreciation barbecue on Wednesday at noon at the Clovis Corporation Yard and equipment displays at the farmers market on Friday.
- Hot Rods Fresno / Central Valley Honor Flight: Councilmember Ashbeck read a proclamation honoring Hot Rods Fresno for raising $30,000 for Central Valley Honor Flight through the Watertower Car Show. Paul Leffler, speaking on behalf of Honor Flight, said the group raised $20,000 the previous year and exceeded expectations by 50%; the contribution will help reduce a waiting list of over 400 veterans. He invited the public to the next Welcome Home event on September 2.
Consent Calendar
- Items 2–12 were approved by a single motion with no items pulled. The motion carried unanimously (5 ayes).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jeanette Georgner, a resident near Clovis High School, requested a formal review of recurring traffic congestion, overflow parking, and emergency access issues around the school. She described overflow parking on residential streets three to four times a week, vehicles encroaching on driveways and intersections, parking near fire hydrants, and lack of enforcement. She noted complaints to Clovis High administration, Clovis Police Department, neighborhood services, the fire marshal, and city engineering had not been resolved, and a police officer stated the school district has jurisdiction over some areas. She also mentioned a 2024 house fire and difficulty with fire apparatus access. The council directed Assistant City Manager Paul Armanderes to coordinate departments and connect with her.
- Chris Seites, a Clovis resident and employee of Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, invited the council to the "Bear Breakfast" (Business Expansion, Attraction, Retention) on Tuesday, June 9, from 8:30–10:30 a.m. at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, expecting about 150 attendees.
Discussion Items
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2026-27 City of Clovis Annual Budget / Measure Y / Capital Improvement Program: City staff presented the proposed budget, noting the process began in December 2025 with department updates, followed by a Measure Y oversight committee report in January, a five-year forecast, and a council budget input session in March. Adoption is planned for June 1. Highlights included:
- Maintaining and enhancing public safety with 141 sworn officers, construction of an alternate dispatch center, and accelerated fire staffing via a grant.
- Continued Measure Y implementation with 21.5 new positions, with 90% of Measure Y focused on public safety.
- Capital investments, including $250,000 for recreation center improvements and significant street improvements.
- First increase in economic development staff in at least 20 years.
- Fiscal stability with a 20% general fund reserve and flexible budgeting for uncertain economic conditions.
A councilmember expressed appreciation for the Measure Y reporting structure and branding. The council voted unanimously to continue the budget review to June 1.
Councilmember and City Manager Reports
- City Manager: Announced the General Plan Advisory Committee meeting the following evening at the Clovis Transit Center, the Memorial Run on Saturday, a Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, May 28 regarding the "info rezone" program, and applications for the next round of Youth Commissioners.
- Councilmember Bessinger: Reported on California Health Science University's medical school graduation with 171 graduates (about 130 medical students), the Clovis Flat Track Museum at 309 West Rialto, and Fresno State's veterans education program matriculation.
- Councilmember Ashbeck: Asked to recognize the late Fresno County Supervisor Phil Larson and his community service.
- Mayor Mounatua: Noted discussions with Cal State and Fresno State about reshaping university pathways for career changers and public safety, thanked Councilmember Bessinger for representing the council at the Lions Club, and praised the Clovis Culinary Center.
Closed Session
- The council adjourned at 8:44 p.m. to a closed session for one item: conference with real property negotiators regarding property at 260–272 North Minimaba Avenue, Lots 31 and 32. No action was anticipated.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent calendar items 2–12 unanimously.
- Directed staff to follow up with the resident on Clovis High School parking/traffic issues via Assistant City Manager Paul Armanderes.
- Continued the 2026-27 budget to June 1st for adoption; motion carried unanimously.
- Received proclamations for National Public Works Week and Hot Rods Fresno/Central Valley Honor Flight.
- Moved to closed session on the real property negotiation item.
Meeting Transcript
Andy, are we ready? Brianna? Okay. Good evening. Welcome everybody. We're going to call the Clovis City Council meeting to order for Monday, May 18th at 6.01 p.m. And at this time, we will have Councilmember Ashbeck lead us in the flag salute. Please join me in saluting our flag. I plead its allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty. You may be seated. If uh City Clerk Parrow would call the role. Yes, Councilmember Ashbeck. Here, Councilmember Pascal. Councilmember Member Bessinger. Here. Mayor Pratem Pierce here and Mayor Mounatua. Here. Okay, next will be presentations and proclamations. We have two this evening. The first is a presentation of a proclamation declaring May 17th to the 23rd 2026 as National Public Works Week. And Councilmember Bessinger will be reading that proclamation. Thank you, Mayor. It's my pleasure to read a deck a proclamation declaring May 17th to the 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week. Whereas Public Works focuses on infrastructure, facilities, and services that are of vital importance to sustaining a resilient community and to the public health, quality of life, and well-being of the people of the city of Clovis, and whereas these infrastructures, facilities, and services could not be provided without dedicated efforts of public works employees at all levels of government that are responsible for rebuilding, improving, and protecting our nation's transportation, water supply, water and waste water treatment, solid waste systems, public buildings and other structures and facilities essential for our citizens. And whereas it is in the public interest for citizens, civic leaders, and children in the city of Clovis to gain knowledge of and to maintain an ongoing interest in the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities. And whereas American Public Works Association has chosen rooted in service powered by the community as the theme for this year's National Public Works Week to highlight the exceptional services public works provides in our communities. And whereas the year 2026 marks the 66th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association. Now therefore, be it resolved that the City of Council of Clovis on behalf of the citizens does hereby declare May 13th, excuse me, 17th to the 23rd, 2026 as National Public Works Week. And it is signed by our mayor, Bong Mounatuwa. Welcome. Anyone else in your staff? They're here. Yeah, on beh uh good evening, Mayor and Council. Uh on behalf of American Public Works Association, uh, the Clovis Public Utilities Department and the Clovis and the Clovis Public Works Employees Association and the Planning and Development Services and General Services. We would like to thank you for declaring the week of May 17th through the 23rd as National Public Works Week. Um it's a we're honored to stand here before you uh to recognize our public works staff. Uh National Public Works Week uh was established in 1960, and this is the 66th annual National Public Works Week. And this week uh gives us an opportunity to celebrate our dedicated public works staff and help the public understand the value and cost of their work. Uh and this year's theme is rooted in service and powered by community, which captures the deep connection between public works and the community we serve. Um as the tools and systems advance, uh the heart of public works is serving our community. Um and our public works employees maintain and protect uh and protect the city's valuable um infrastructure and provide essential services to our residents, including water and wastewater services, solid waste, streets, fleet, uh along with parks and public facilities, amongst other things. And we would like to just take this time to recognize our staff and to thank them. These are the folks that represent the hardworking city of Clovis employees that are maintaining our Clovis way of life so that Clovis remains a destination of choice. Now, in celebration of National Public Work Week, we would like to invite council to join us for our public for a public utilities employee appreciation barbecue. It's gonna be this Wednesday at noon at the Clover uh at the Clovis Corporation Yard. And in addition, on Friday, the public utilities department, along with the Central Valley chapter of the American Public Works Association, we're gonna host some displays at the farmers market. Well we're in partnership with uh Fresno County as well as Fresno Flood Control District and our planning and and development services department. We're gonna have displays at the farmers market. Uh it's a lot of equipment, it allows families to come and interact with our staff as well as our equipment and to learn more about public works.
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