The Fresno City Council met on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM in Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting was called to order at 9:14 AM with all seven council members present. The agenda was approved as amended, adding a ceremonial check presentation for the family of 22-month-old Ahzunea Mondragon-Lyday and moving two consent items to contested consent. The meeting included several proclamations, public comments, discussion on contested consent items, and a closed session.
All consent items were approved on a single 7-0 vote after public comment. Items included:
Public comment was taken on consent, contested consent, and closed session items. Key speakers and positions:
Item 2-I (ID 26-295) – Adding three permanent full-time positions in PARCS Department Councilmember Arias requested clarification on the positions (back-office staff for arts grants, not decision-makers). Director confirmed positions are flexible and funded by Measure P admin funds (2%) plus $75,000 general fund, with estimated FY26 cost of $298,336 and annualized cost around $500,000. Arias asked that future items list estimated costs. Motion to approve carried 7-0.
Item 2-K (ID 26-365) – Renewal of Fresno Police Department Annual Military Equipment Use Report Councilmember Arias moved to contested consent for discussion. Deputy Chief Burke Farrah presented summary of public meeting held March 25, 2026 (6-8 PM, ~25 attendees). Main community feedback: desire for more transparency, including personnel costs, geographic usage data, and earlier public notice. Deputy Chief stated the law does not require itemized location data but committed to include volunteers in planning for next year, issue press releases, and improve outreach. Councilmember Karbassi noted that the equipment is essential for public safety and cited a recent white supremacist bomb threat in his district where equipment prevented casualties. Councilmember Arias asked about training protocols and shared equipment with other agencies. He also questioned why drones are classified as military equipment; Chief replied they are not weaponized. Councilmember Richardson condemned racist remarks from some public speakers and defended city employees. Motion to approve carried 7-0.
Manuel Perez: Spoke about risk of water shutoff due to non-payment; he is 84 years old, a cardiovascular patient, and requested senior citizen rates. Councilmember Vang’s staff offered to assist. Hester Hensley (later in meeting): Complained about city attorney Erica’s conduct—approaching and demanding she show an email after she spoke earlier; requested preservation of camera footage and stated intent to report to state bar.
Council entered closed session at 1:58 PM, adjourning at 3:48 PM. Items included labor negotiations (multiple units), existing litigation (Wilson, Micheli, Phillips-Kerley, Regan, South Fresno Community Alliance, Community Compact), and performance evaluations for City Clerk and City Attorney. City Attorney Janz reported that in the Karen Micheli case, Council voted 7-0 to direct filing a petition for review before the California Supreme Court.
All right, good morning to uh all of our guests. Come on down to the dais. We're gonna go out again. Get started here very shortly. Did we get the um pronunciation? No, I need it. Oscar right there so we can let them. He's gonna show up now and then. City clerk, we're ready to go. Good morning. All right, we're gonna go ahead and call this meeting to order. Nine uh fourteen AM. Uh clerk, would you please call the roll? Yes. Councilmember Perea. Present. Councilmember Carbasi. Councilmember Arias. Presente. Vice President Maxwell. Present. Councilmember Vang. Present. Council Member Richardson. Council President Esparza. Present. Councilmember Carbasi. Seven members being present, we have a quorum. Fantastic. I'm gonna invite everyone to uh stand. We have uh next our invocation. Uh it'll be presented by Father Ivan Hernandez Lakor from the Shrine of St. Teresa, my pastor. And then after the invocation, uh, Councilmember Richardson will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Welcome, Father. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Loving God, we gather this morning with grateful hearts for the gift of community and for the responsibilities you have entrusted to us. As we begin this meeting, we ask you for your guiding presence to rest upon each person here, especially our city officials and city council members. Heavenly Father, grant us hearts the seek peace. Bless this council with unity of purpose, though we come with different experiences, perspectives, and convictions. Reminds us that we share a common calling to serve all who live and work in this beautiful city of Fresno. Strengthen our resolve to contribute with respect to the date with charity and to lead with integrity. Every voice has a place. And every neighbor is treated with dignity. May our decisions reflect the compassion of Christ, who welcome and embrace every single person, and lift it up the fragile, the weak, the forgotten. Bless our city of Fresno, his families, workers, leaders, and all who strive each day to make it a place of safety, opportunity, and hope. We as this through Christ, our Lord. Amen. Amen. One nation.