Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting – May 18, 2026

The Fresno Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission (PRAC) held a regular meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM in City Council Chambers. The central focus was the third cycle of the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) Grant Program, including a workshop, discussion of draft guidelines and the Application Review Committee (ARC) handbook, and public hearings. After extensive public comment and commission deliberation, the guidelines were approved as amended on a 6‑1 vote, with Commissioner Caglia dissenting. A special meeting was scheduled for May 26, 2026, to review the mayor’s FY27 budget and finalize any additional guideline revisions before city council consideration.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda item 5‑A (approval of April 20, 2026 minutes) and agenda item 5‑B (excused absence for Commissioner Duran) were approved unanimously. The agenda itself was approved as amended after staff noted attachment corrections.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During Unscheduled Communication (9 speakers), several community members raised concerns about: the prolonged closure of the Pine Grove Shelter at Roeding Park due to a structural fire; the need for tennis programming and tournament fee relief at Roeding Park; safety and maintenance issues at Roeding Park restrooms; and the importance of accessible, transparent meeting agendas.
• During Hearing 12‑A (draft grant guidelines), over 30 members of the public spoke. Many smaller/emerging organizations and individual artists urged the commission to keep the $150,000 cap for established organizations, arguing that higher caps would concentrate funds among a few large institutions and undermine equity. Speakers such as Samuel Contreras, Ashley, and Johannes Reijnders stressed that Measure P is meant to expand access, not entrench existing power structures. Conversely, representatives from larger established organizations (e.g., Fresno Art Museum, Youth Orchestras of Fresno, Arte Americas, Valley PBS) requested raising the cap to $300,000, citing their substantial operational costs, infrastructure, and community impact. Several speakers also advocated for no cap on fiscal sponsorship, clearer definitions of diversity, and better outreach to underserved communities.
• During Hearing 12‑B (EAAC program input), one speaker reiterated the need to fund grassroots organizations directly rather than through large intermediaries.
• During Hearing 12‑C (Measure P allocations, parks master plan, budget), two speakers highlighted urgent restroom safety and maintenance issues at Roeding Park and requested a dedicated presentation at the June PRAC meeting.

Discussion Items

• Workshop 10‑A (EAAC Program Update): Program Manager Gaytan reported on cycle two technical assistance (45 attendees) and the timeline for cycle three, emphasizing the June 30, 2026 legal deadline for releasing the notice of funding opportunity. Discussion included website development and communication improvements.
• Discussion 11‑A (Draft Grant Guidelines): Assistant Director MacNab led a page‑by‑page review of the 26‑page draft, which had incorporated 760 total public comments from three listening sessions (83 attendees) and online portals. Key debates centered on:
  • Award partial‑funding options: The commission selected Option 2 (scaled awards: 100% for scores 95‑100, 95% for 90‑94, 90% for 85‑89, 85% for 80‑84, 80% for 75‑79, and allowing awards below 75% when funds remain).
  • Maximum funding caps: The proposed cap of $150,000 for both project and general operating support sparked lengthy discussion. Commissioners initially leaned toward keeping $150,000, but after public testimony, the final motion maintained the $150,000 cap.
  • Fiscal sponsorship: Staff removed a proposed cap of five sponsored organizations per sponsor after many commenters argued it would limit access. The commission also discussed requiring fiscal sponsors to mentor toward nonprofit status.
  • Eligibility for operating support: Legal review was pending on whether organizations must be arts‑specific to serve as fiscal sponsors.
  • Application Review Committee (ARC): Proposed composition (30 members, diverse backgrounds, paid $500 stipend), public scoring meetings, and conflict‑of‑interest procedures were outlined.
• Discussion 11‑B (ARC Handbook): MacNab reviewed the handbook, which details reviewer roles, training, scoring rubrics, and the appeals process. No changes were requested.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to recommend the Cycle Three Draft Grant Guidelines as amended (with Option 2 partial awards, $150,000 cap, and other modifications discussed) to City Council for consideration and adoption. Passed 6‑1 (Aye: McCoy, Ward, Barraza, Dohlin, Kucharski, Miller; No: Caglia; Absent: Duran).
• A special meeting was set for May 26, 2026 to hear the FY27 budget presentation and address any remaining guideline questions before the June 18 council deadline.
• The commission noted that appeals may come before PRAC; legal clarification was requested on whether appeals can be escalated to city council.
• Meeting adjourned at 10:45 PM in memory of Dr. Francine Oputa.