Fresno City Council Regular Meeting - May 7, 2026

The Fresno City Council met on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included eight ceremonial proclamations, three scheduled hearings, a consent calendar of 23 items, one contested consent item, a workshop on the BOLD (Bond Opportunities for Land Development) Program, and a closed session. Councilmember Nick Richardson was absent. The meeting adjourned at 4:03 PM after closed session.

Ceremonial Presentations

• Proclamations were presented for World Asthma Day (sponsored by Council President Esparza), Darrell Fifield Day (Vice President Maxwell), Mental Health Awareness Month (Councilmember Perea), Tennis Month (Councilmember Arias), National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day (Councilmember Richardson and Mayor/City Manager), AAPI Heritage Month (Councilmember Vang), Fresno Preservation Month (Mayor/City Manager), and Fresno Christian High School’s The Feather Online (Mayor/City Manager).

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar, comprising routine approvals and unanimous actions, was approved by a 6-0 vote (Councilmember Richardson absent). Key items included:
  • Approval of minutes for April 23, 2026.
  • Final relocation reimbursement claim ($247,000 net proceeds) for Genuine Parts Company (NAPA) related to the Blackstone McKinley BNSF Grade Separation Project.
  • Easement acquisition for the Ashlan Avenue Widening Project.
  • Construction contract award ($206,226.87) for Trolley Park Lighting and Shade Structure to Geometric Construction Inc.
  • Sale of a 14.58± acre property at Herndon and Brawley Avenues for $2,100,000 (increase of $250,000) with net proceeds of $247,000.
  • Acceptance of $77,250 additional funding from Cal OES for Urban Search and Rescue training (total $324,450).
  • Emergency dispatch service agreement with Fresno County ($1,713,360) for July 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027.
  • Grant acceptance of up to $180,000 from Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging for Senior Hot Meals Programming.
  • Successor MOU with IBEW Unit 7 including salary increases.
  • Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund loan of $1,194,000 to Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation for abatement at the Former Berkeley Building.
  • First Amendment to service agreement with RH Community Builders for Youth Rapid Rehousing ($500,000) for 25 units.
  • Revolving Loan Fund agreement of up to $8,000,000 with The Park Partners LLC for The Park at South Stadium multifamily project.
  • Consultant service agreement with Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (up to $144,580) for historic survey of Chinatown.
  • Initiation of annexation for Copper-Friant No. 3 Reorganization (2.40 acres).
  • Appropriation of $37,700 for Police Department’s 2023 State Homeland Security Grant Program.
  • Requirements contract with Kemira Water Solutions for ferric chloride (annual cost $1,874,361.71, total not-to-exceed $9,951,240.88).
  • Consultant agreement with Carollo Engineers ($408,122) for North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility Improvements.
  • Addendum and grant application ($5,115,000) for River West Fresno Eaton Trail Extension Project.
  • Summary vacation of a public utility easement (Lot 38, T-6325).
  • Final map approval for Tract No. 6475.
  • Consultant agreement with Alta Planning + Design ($298,000, contingency $15,000) for Mobility Design Guide.
  • Construction contract award ($487,566) for FAX Bus Stop ADA Upgrades Phase B.
  • Item 2-M (Publication of Legal Notices) was tabled to June 4, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One member of the public, Nikki Real, spoke on consent, contested consent, and closed session items, urging the council to be careful with closed session decisions, stating they are not working in the city’s favor.
• During unscheduled communication, Matthew Gillian, a lifelong resident of District 2, accused Councilmember Karbassi of making racially insensitive comments earlier in the meeting (a joke about a black bear sighting and Council President Esparza). Gillian referenced a $15.4 million settlement and criticized representation of black and brown communities. Councilmember Karbassi responded, clarifying that he was told by wildlife officials it was a black bear (not a racial remark), and that Gillian is a campaign manager for an opponent trying to create scandal.
• No public comments were made during the scheduled hearings (CFD No. 9 annexation, right-of-way vacation, or the joint meeting for Fulton Street properties).

Discussion Items

• Scheduled Council Hearings (Timed Items):
  • 9:10 AM – Community Facilities District No. 9, Annexation No. 71: Approved 6-0. Resolutions and ordinance adopted to annex territory and levy a special tax for the property at Northwest corner of East Copper Avenue and North Portofino Drive. No public comment.
  • 9:15 AM – Vacation of two portions of City-owned right-of-way at Tuolumne Street and Fulton Street/Van Ness Avenue: Approved 6-0. Staff explained the vacation is related to a pending parking garage and mixed-income development. No public comment.
  • 9:20 AM – Joint Meeting for properties at 815, 829, and 835 Fulton Street (The Park at South Stadium): Approved 6-0 by the City Council, and also by the Fresno Revitalization Corporation (FRC) with Mayor Dyer and two council members voting. The item approved a first amendment to the Disposition and Development Agreement, extending bond financing and escrow closing dates by two weeks due to temporary uncertainty in the bond market from global military conflicts. The project is an 8-story, $81 million multifamily development with $70 million in bond financing. No public comment.
• Contested Consent Calendar (Item 2-H): Resolution establishing new procedures for appeals in the competitive bidding process, rescinding Resolution 2003-129. Council discussed changes: non-responsive bids (incomplete submissions) are no longer appealable; responsibility (contractor capability) remains appealable. Staff stated this aligns with legal requirements and peer cities, and prevents delays. Councilmember Arias asked about error correction; staff noted multiple reviews (purchasing, city attorney, city manager) and council still has authority. The resolution was adopted 5-0 (Councilmembers Karbassi and Richardson absent).
• Workshop – BOLD Program Presentation (General Administration 3-A): Assistant City Manager Mascia and Travis Cooper (CMFA) presented the Bond Opportunities for Land Development (BOLD) program, which allows developers to use CFDs to finance public infrastructure and impact fees. Costs are borne by developers; CMFA handles administration and shares 25% of issuance fees with the city. Council discussion: Councilmember Arias questioned the necessity (not aware of developer demand for new financing). Councilmember Perea supported it as a tool to speed up housing and commercial development with no city cost. Councilmember Karbassi agreed but suggested developers should outreach to council. No vote was taken; a public hearing and resolution are scheduled for May 21, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• All three scheduled hearings were approved unanimously:
  • CFD No. 9 Annexation No. 71: Resolutions 2026-82, 2026-83, 2026-84 adopted; Bill B-14 introduced/Ordinance 2026-15 adopted.
  • Right-of-way vacation: Resolution 2026-85 adopted.
  • Fulton Street property amendments: Resolution 2026-81 (Council), SA-60 (Successor Agency), FRC-28 (Fresno Revitalization Corporation) adopted.
• Consent Calendar and Contested Consent adopted as noted.
• Closed Session: The council authorized the initiation of a lawsuit by a 6-0 vote (case details to be disclosed after filing). Other closed session items discussed but no open-session announcements made.
• Next Steps: The BOLD Program workshop will return for a public hearing and resolution on May 21, 2026. The City Clerk announced a formal workshop on the Transparency Portal for the May 21 meeting. Mayor Dyer will present the balanced budget to the media on May 13 and to the council on May 14.