Fresno City Council Special Meeting: February 26, 2026 – Disposition, Financing, and Budget
Fresno City Council Special Meeting: February 26, 2026 – Disposition, Financing, and Budget\n\nThe Fresno City Council held a special meeting on February 26, 2026, to consider an amended disposition and development agreement for the Park at South Stadium project, a TEFRA hearing for bond financing, an appeal of a development permit, and the mid-year budget review. The meeting also featured ceremonial proclamations for Dr. James Aldridge, Andrea Andrade, and Mike's Pizzeria's 64th anniversary. The special meeting was called to order at 10:30 AM and concluded at 11:24 AM, while the regular meeting continued until 4:43 PM.\n\n### Ceremonial Presentations\n- Dr. James Aldridge Day: Proclamation declaring February 26, 2026 as Dr. James Aldridge Day, honoring the first and only Black city manager of Fresno. Presented by Councilmember Maxwell and Mayor Dyer. Family members spoke about his legacy.\n- Andrea Andrade Day: Proclamation recognizing cancer advocate and beauty queen Andrea Andrade, who passed away at age 35. Presented by Councilmember Vang and Mayor Dyer. Her husband Chris Wilson and brother spoke.\n- Mike's Pizzeria 64th Anniversary and Mike and Angelina Denuso Day: Proclamation for the family-owned restaurant founded in 1962 by Italian immigrants. Presented by Councilmember Perea, who also declared the day in honor of the founders.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- 9:10 AM Hearing (Appeal): No public comments.\n- 9:15 AM TEFRA Hearing: Multiple speakers expressed concerns about the project, including lack of community meetings, affordability, and potential conflicts of interest. One speaker questioned the term "student housing" and the project's benefit to low-income residents.\n- Special Meeting (ID 26-272): Public comments included concerns about the revolving loan fund and a perceived conflict of interest involving the City Manager. One speaker urged a recount of accident data in Southwest Fresno.\n- Consent Calendar and Unscheduled Communication: A resident complained about unaddressed sidewalk issues leading to a neighbor's injury. Another sought reimbursement for a bike rack failure.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- 9:10 AM Hearing – Appeal of Development Permit (P23-03606): Council considered an appeal by Councilmember Arias regarding a truck repair facility on North Avenue. The appellant resolved concerns, and the council modified the permit to allow 12 truck parking spaces (up from 9) and 12 passenger vehicle spaces (up from 6). The motion to deny the appeal and approve the permit passed unanimously.\n- 9:15 AM TEFRA Hearing – Student Housing Bond Financing: The council heard a request for $80 million in tax-exempt bonds for a mixed-income housing project (174 units, 70 affordable with a 55-year covenant) at 815-835 Fulton Street. Staff clarified the project is not student-specific but individual housing. The motion to approve passed 6-1.\n- Special Meeting – Amended Disposition and Development Agreement (ID 26-272): The council approved an amended agreement for the Park at South Stadium project, an $82 million investment for 174 units (70 affordable, 104 market rate). The project includes an $8 million revolving loan fund and $3.727 million in city funds. The Fresno Revitalization Corporation voted 8-0 to adopt, and the City Council voted 7-0 to approve.\n- Contested Consent – Item 2N (Uptown Apartments Financing): Approved without opposition after staff explanation of the revolving loan fund.\n- Contested Consent – Item 2T (School Zone Speed Limit Reduction): Resolution to reduce school zone speed limits from 25 to 20 mph citywide, in compliance with AB 382. Councilmember Esparza sponsored the item. Staff noted a sign-swap effort and no community opposition. The motion passed 7-0.\n- Mid-Year Budget Review (Item 3A): Edward Shinevere presented the FY2026 mid-year budget. Revenues are estimated at $506.1 million, with a net ending balance of $7.99 million after capital carryover and amendments. A projected $23.3 million deficit for FY2027 was noted. Council discussed fire department overtime (requested $1.56 million for attrition and $403,800 for a second drill school), casino revenue reductions due to state law, and attrition rates. The council approved the mid-year budget adjustments 5-0.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Development permit appeal denied; permit approved with increased capacity limits.\n- TEFRA hearing concluded; $80 million bond issuance approved for mixed-income housing.\n- Amended Disposition and Development Agreement approved for Park at South Stadium project, advancing downtown housing.\n- School zone speed limit reduction to 20 mph approved citywide, to be implemented by next school year.\n- Mid-year budget adjustments approved, including $1.96 million for fire department overtime and drill school.\n- Special meeting adjourned at 11:24 AM; regular meeting adjourned at 4:43 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. You all for being patient. I'm gonna call this council meeting to order for February twenty-sixth, twenty twenty-six. City clerk, would you please call the roll? Yes, thank you. Good morning. Councilmember Perea. Present. Council President Carbasi. Here. Councilmember Arias. Councilmember Maxwell. Present. Councilmember Vang. Present. Councilmember Richardson. Here. Council Vice President Esparza. Present. Seven members being present, we have a quorum. Thank you so much. We're going to have the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The pledge will be led by Councilmember Richardson. City Clerk, would you please announce who our special guest is from St. Rest? Yes, thank you. Today the invocation will be given by Pastor Bernard Jefferson, the youth pastor from St. Rest Baptist Church. Like we do in court, I'll rise. Thank you for allowing us to gather together here this morning in unity and purpose. We are grateful for every person in attendance. For our mayor, our city council members, our civic leaders, our staff, community partners. God, we thank you for those who rose this morning with a desire to serve and to make a difference in the lives of others, Lord. We lift the city of Fresno up to you. We thank you for the its diversity. We thank you for its resilience. God, we thank you for the history and its promise. God, we ask that you will grant wisdom to our leaders as they make decisions with integrity. Give them discipline to do what is right. Give them courage to stand for justice, compassion for every resident that they represent. God allow us to understand the weight of the opportunity that sits in front of us, Heavenly Father God. Bless our neighbors and our neighborhoods, Heavenly Father God. Wrap your arms around this city in times of challenge. God, this great city, this great people. God entrust the God, you entrusted these leaders, Heavenly Father God. So God bless them. Bless their minds, Heavenly Father God. In Jesus' name, Amen. City Clerk, are there any changes or items removed from the agenda, including the special agenda? Yes, there are.
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