Fresno Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission - Regular Meeting March 16, 2026

The Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission (PRAC) held its regular meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 5:35 PM in Council Chambers. Seven commissioners were present (Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioners Barraza, Caglia, Duran, Miller, Trillo); Commissioners Kucharski and Dohlin were excused. The meeting included a workshop on the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) Grant Program, hearings on a position authorization resolution and a new subcommittee, and public input on Measure P allocations, the Parks Master Plan, and the department budget. Key actions included recommending three new staff positions to City Council and creating the EAAC Subcommittee.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The regular meeting minutes of January 26, 2026, and February 23, 2026, were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Unscheduled Communication: Kiel Lopez-Schmidt (South Tower Community Land Trust) reported that Bradway Park was closed 40 minutes early by a private security guard, and that insurance requirements for Tower Porch Fest at Broadway Park created barriers for community use.
• Hearing 12-A – PAR Amendment (Adding 3 Positions): Seven public speakers addressed the commission. Amy Kitchener (Alliance for California Traditional Arts) recommended creating a cultural affairs division with a professional director rather than the three proposed junior-level positions. Kiel Lopez-Schmidt expressed lack of confidence in the city’s grant processes and urged caution. Johannus Reijnders emphasized transparency and clear guidelines. Smiley (fiscally sponsored by Dulce Upfront) stressed the need for arts- and culture-focused positions. Ome (Dulce Upfront) invited staff to meet with artists directly. Hugo Morales (Radio Bilingüe) supported creating a cultural affairs director. Paula Allen (Arts Enrichment for All) questioned the structure and cost of the positions before a framework is in place.
• Hearing 12-B – Creation of EAAC Subcommittee: Johannus Reijnders voiced strong support for the subcommittee contingent on public transparency and accessibility (in-person, Zoom, recorded). Hugo Morales reiterated support and requested that the PRAC chair also chair the subcommittee.
• Hearing 12-C – EAAC Grant Program Public Input: Erin Burd (Arts Enrichment for All) reported no communication from the city and stressed urgency for grantees. Elizabeth Laval (Fresno City and County Historical Society) highlighted a bounced check, terminated contracts, inability to submit quarterly reports, and lack of access to the online reporting system. Johannus Reijnders called for transparency in the grant review process, stipends for panelists, and clear definitions of arts and culture. Jackson Kytle (San Joaquin Valley Town Hall) thanked the commission for handling the difficult transition.
• Hearing 12-D – Measure P Allocations, Plans, Budget, CIP: Jesse Duran (Roeding Park Tennis Club) described deteriorating benches, signs, and windscreens, and slow responses to FresGo requests. Adam Balakian (community tennis facilitator) requested improved parking lot lighting, shade structures, and tree trimming on courts 1 and 2 at Roeding Park. Kiel Lopez-Schmidt noted the Tower District Specific Plan’s finding of inadequate park access and advocated for funding San Pablo Park and Ted C. Wills Center. Ome proposed mini-grants for alleyway beautification. Smiley reiterated the need for a senior arts director. Linda Scambray (Heritage Fresno) thanked the commission and raised concerns about public confidence in nonprofits. Micah Byers (arts educator) commented on randomness of grant awards and safety issues with restroom lighting at Roeding Park.

Discussion Items

• Measure P 5-Year Evaluation Subcommittee Report (Commissioner Barraza): The subcommittee has identified key areas for evaluation and received data from staff; work is accelerating to meet the deadline.
• City Administration & PARCS Staff Reports (Director Aguirre): Recruitment underway for lifeguards, park supervisors, coordinators, and service aides to support spring and summer programs. Upcoming events: BMX state race at Woodward Park (March 22, ~400 riders, 1,300–1,500 visitors), Easter celebration (April 5), and Camp Fresno youth registration (opens April 1). Also announced community meetings on March 24 and May 4 to discuss a proposed gymnasium at the Southeast Fresno sports complex (funding source to be confirmed).
• Workshop – Update on EAAC Grant Program (Assistant Director McNab): Staff provided a timeline of actions since February 23: posting updates, City Council appropriation, emailing grantees, and bringing the position authorization resolution to PRAC. Next steps: continue reconciling records (210 hard copy folders, thousands of documents), hire staff after council approval, and log grantee inquiries. Commissioners Barraza, Ward, Caglia, and Trillo raised concerns about lack of updates between meetings, impacts on unpaid grantees, verification of bounced checks, and the need for arts and cultural expertise in new hires.
• Hearing 12-A – PAR Amendment (Adding 3 Positions): The proposed positions (program administrator, community outreach specialist, community coordinator) would increase PARCS authorized FTEs from 164 to 167. Commissioners debated whether the job descriptions should require arts and culture background. Chair McCoy and Commissioner Barraza opposed the generic descriptions; others noted the need for both grant administration and arts expertise. The item was recommended to City Council.
• Hearing 12-B – EAAC Subcommittee Creation: The resolution passed without additional discussion. Chair McCoy appointed herself, Vice Chair Ward, and Commissioner Trillo to the subcommittee.
• Hearing 12-C & 12-D – Public Input Only: Commissioners took no action on these hearings.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar (minutes of January 26 and February 23, 2026). (Unanimous)
• Approved a motion to recommend to City Council adoption of the 3rd Amendment to Position Authorization Resolution No. 2025-178, adding three positions to the PARCS Department. (5-2; Chair McCoy and Commissioner Barraza opposed)
• Approved a resolution creating the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Subcommittee. (Unanimous)
• Appointed the following commissioners to the EAAC Subcommittee: Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Trillo.
• Received public input on the EAAC Grant Program (Hearing 12-C) and on Measure P allocations, Parks Master Plan updates, Cultural Arts Plan, and annual PARCS Budget and Capital Improvement Plans (Hearing 12-D). No formal action taken.
• Adjourned the meeting at 7:26 PM in memory of Dr. Francine Oputa.