Fresno City Council Regular Meeting – March 26, 2026

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.

Ceremonial Presentations

• Check Presentation to Family of Ahzunea Mondragon-Lyday: Councilmember Perea presented a check for over $7,000 raised for a customized walker for the child, who has Costello syndrome. Donors included Vista Consulting, Fresno Firefighters Association, Fresno Fire Chiefs Association, and Fresno Police and Fire Chaplaincy.
• Pet of the Month: No Hana, a pit bull mix, was presented for adoption. She was rescued from a medical emergency and is now spayed and healthy.
• Proclamation – “Kopi Sotiropulos Day”: Mayor Dyer and Council declared March 26, 2026, as Kopi Sotiropulos Day in honor of the retiring KMPH weatherman and community figure.
• Proclamation – “Dr. Jackie Ryle Day”: Vice President Maxwell presented the proclamation to Dr. Jacqueline L. Ryle, Fresno’s first female city clerk (1966–1996) and longest-serving city clerk.
• Proclamation – “Women’s History Month”: Council President Esparza and Councilmember Perea, along with the Women’s Commission, honored Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) and the Fresno State League of Women Voters.
• Proclamation – “Red Cross Month”: Councilmember Vang presented the proclamation to the American Red Cross Central Valley Chapter.
• Proclamation – “San Joaquin Memorial High School Boys Basketball State Championship Day”: Afternoon ceremonial honoring the CIF Division II state champions.

Consent Calendar

All consent items were approved on a single 7-0 vote after public comment. Items included:

• Amendment of various ordinances (Bills B-4 through B-8) – adopted as Ordinances 2026-5 to 2026-9.
• Appointment of Vincent Cosentino to the Fresno/Clovis Community Media Authority (term ending June 30, 2027).
• Subcontractor substitution for Vinland Park Futsal and Pickleball Courts Project (District 4).
• Sunnyside Water Main Replacement Project: Award of construction contract to Dawson-Mauldin, LLC for $1,160,865 (District 5).
• Acceptance of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Annual Comprehensive Debt Report (ACDR) for FY 2025.
• Purchase contract for 30 Dodge Durango marked patrol vehicles for Police Department ($1,664,466).
• First Amendment to lease agreement with Fresno EOC for Head Start program sites (lease extension through September 1, 2026).
• Acceptance of $2,608,201 from California Volunteers Youth Service Corps Grant for One Fresno Youth Jobs Corps Program, plus $946,500 carryover from prior grant (Resolutions 2026-43, 2026-44, 2026-45).
• Side Letter of Agreement with City of Fresno Management Employees Association (CFMEA Unit 14).
• Emergency replacement of biological treatment process air distribution pipeline at Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility – declared urgent necessity, authorized no-bid agreements (Resolution 2026-47).
• Amendment to Sidewalk Vending Ordinance (Bill B-9) regarding vending of services – adopted as Ordinance 2026-10.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comment was taken on consent, contested consent, and closed session items. Key speakers and positions:

• Cynthia Sterling (former councilmember, BWOPA president): Urged the Council not to appeal the $15.4 million racial discrimination verdict in La-Kebbia Wilson v. City of Fresno, stating the jury’s decision sent a powerful message against workplace discrimination.
• Matthew Gillian: Supported compensating Ms. Wilson and called on the Council to start a process of atonement rather than waste time and money on appeals.
• Ari C (mental health professional): Criticized the police department’s military equipment report for lacking personnel costs and specifics on geographic usage; urged tabling the report for revisions and better community engagement.
• Bob McCleskey (Fresno Resistance): Opposed code enforcement amendments (2A) as violating Fourth Amendment rights and criticized the military equipment report for lacking transparency on use in minority neighborhoods.
• Sonia Davis (former coworker of Ms. Wilson): Described witnessing racist treatment of Ms. Wilson and linked it to ongoing issues in code enforcement; asked Council to hold perpetrators accountable.
• Kenisha Dalian (Fresnoans for the People’s Budget): Asked that the military equipment report be revised to include detailed deployment data and personnel costs, noting the city’s $20 million deficit.
• Eugene Taylor: Challenged Council President Esparza to hold the city manager and city attorney accountable for the Wilson case, urging public accountability.
• Brandy N.: Supported tabling the military equipment report for revisions; noted the public meeting lacked council attendance and called for better transparency and mental health crisis alternatives.
• Dez Martinez (emotional testimony): Described being assaulted by Howard Lacey (former city employee involved in the Wilson case) and criticized the city for not taking action; also opposed code enforcement amendments as infringing on rights.
• Hester Hensley: Apologized to Councilmember Arias for previous comments about Cesar Chavez street signs, explaining she was defending her people’s history.
• Martha Favela (on unscheduled communication): Spoke against reversing the Cesar Chavez street name change, citing the importance of Chavez’s legacy and perceived hypocrisy regarding other historical figures.

Contested Consent Items

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.

Councilmember Reports & Comments

• Councilmember Perea: Reported on district 1 community meetings, Fresno State Farm tour, Know Your Rights workshop for tenants.
• Councilmember Arias: Announced neighborhood budget meetings in West Fresno and upcoming meetings in Tower District; promoted Storyland’s new pirate ship grand opening (March 28).
• Councilmember Vang: Reported community meeting on Phase II of Southeast Fresno Sports Complex (gym/community center); announced Easter events and a town hall for Roosevelt area (March 31).
• Councilmember Richardson: Congratulated new firefighters; described student job fair with 200 high school students; announced upcoming job fair and donation drive for Veterans Home at Sequoia Brewing.
• Council President Esparza: Reported attending Fire Academy Class 80 graduation; thanked School Area Team for neighborhood engagement; announced Great American Cleanup event at Hidalgo Elementary (April 18).

Unscheduled Communication

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.

Closed Session

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.

Key Outcomes

• All consent and contested consent items were approved 7-0.
• The police department committed to improving the military equipment reporting process, including issuing press releases and involving community volunteers in planning.
• Council directed the city attorney to file a petition for review with the California Supreme Court in the Karen Micheli case (7-0 vote during closed session).
• Staff will assist resident Manuel Perez with water bill issues.
• The next regular council meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2026.