Fresno Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Regular Meeting – July 20, 2026

The Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission (PRAC) met in regular session on Monday, July 20, 2026, from 5:31 PM to 6:34 PM at Fresno City Hall. The meeting included a workshop on the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) Grant Program, public hearings on the EAAC program and Measure P allocations, and extensive public comment on Roding Park conditions. Commissioners discussed subcommittee reports, department updates, and upcoming budget cycles.

Consent Calendar

• The meeting agenda (ID 26-972) was approved unanimously (5 ayes, 3 absent – Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Dohlin, and Commissioner Kucharski joined at 5:37 PM).
• Absences of Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Dohlin were excused unanimously.
• Approval of the Special Meeting Minutes of June 1, 2026, and Regular Meeting Minutes of June 15, 2026, carried unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Unscheduled Communication (Item 9): Four speakers addressed the commission on Roding Park issues:

• Camilla Sutherland (Roding Park Tennis Club) expressed appreciation for recent park maintenance (bird droppings, court cleaning) and requested a partnership to preserve the park’s tennis history (dating to 1924). She asked for a meeting with Parks staff to discuss tennis, pickleball, and footshall coordination.
• Karin Huebner (Fresno resident, historian at USC) validated the 1924 founding of the Roding Park Tennis Club (citing her father’s minutes book) and urged continued support for public tennis courts.
• Fred Wong (retired civil engineer, Roding Park Tennis Club member) raised safety concerns about poor court maintenance (drainage, fencing) and offered to assist Parks staff with technical assessments.
• Adam Balakian (community tennis volunteer) reported that 89% of 55 surveyed park users rated the Roding Park bathrooms a 1 out of 5, and noted a lack of response from Parks since June 11th. He also mentioned bathrooms at Logan Park lacking a stall door.

Hearing on EAAC Grant Program (Item 12-A, 6:11 PM): No public comments.

Hearing on Measure P, Parks Master Plan, and PARCS Budget (Item 12-B, 6:52 PM):

• Dr. William Contente (Roding Park Tennis Club) requested a meeting with Measure P decision-makers, noting that $75.2 million in fiscal 2024 had 46% allocated to existing parks. He sought inclusion in planning for Roding Park improvements (clean, safe facilities) and asked who decided to convert three tennis courts to pickleball and footshall.
• Boy Scouts Troop 95 (Logan Reeves, James Dallas) attended to observe for the Citizenship in the Community merit badge.

Workshop: Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) Grant Program Update (Item 10-A)

PARCS Program Manager Gaytan presented an update on EAAC cycles 2 and 3:

• Cycle 2: Staff have met one-on-one with all grantees (over 100) to facilitate contracting. No payments have been issued yet; grantees must submit final reports, expense reports, and receipts. Three to five grantees are ready to execute contracts, but the timeline varies based on each grantee’s documentation speed. Some require both a grant agreement and a settlement agreement (11 cases). Staff emphasized that award amounts are not being reduced, though unspent funds may be returned. The contracting process includes vendor setup, authority verification, and insurance checks.
• Cycle 3: The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for general operating and project support grants was released June 30, 2026. Eligibility screening closes August 15, 2026; applications are due September 30, 2026 at 3 PM. Two technical assistance workshops were announced: July 23rd (grant guidelines) and July 28th (fiscal sponsorship meet-and-greet). An FAQ page with filtered topics is updated weekly. A survey sent to 800+ Measure P email list recipients informed workshop scheduling.
• Staffing: An outreach specialist has been hired; additional interviews are ongoing for remaining positions.
• Application Review Committee (ARC): A subcommittee will be formed at the August 17 PRAC meeting to develop the ARC application and outreach plan.

Discussion Items

• Commissioner Duran highlighted the Tech Easy digital literacy program for residents 55+ (two upcoming sessions) and wished everyone a happy Parks and Recreation Month.
• Commissioner Barraza asked for a staff presentation showing which PRAC recommendations for Measure P were funded in the final city council budget. Staff confirmed this will be brought to the commission in August or September as part of the fall budget review.
• Commissioner Duran raised concerns about the condition of Mary Ella Brown Park (BMX park, dead trees, yellow grass) and urged irrigation and replanting. Staff noted irrigation work is underway and trees will be replanted in the fall.
• Commissioner Miller and others discussed deferred maintenance across parks. Staff reported that Roding Park has received approximately $8 million in improvements (new equipment, picnic benches, pine grove shelter, court resurfacing) over the past two years. The department is prioritizing projects with design-only funding (e.g., Pinedale restroom rehab, Rotary East, Stallion) by using Measure P, ARPA, and Prop 68 grants.
• Commissioners discussed the importance of community input in park design (e.g., El Dorado Park public meeting with ~50 attendees), leveraging Measure P for new acquisitions, and the need to complete projects from design through construction rather than leaving plans incomplete.
• Commissioner Duran inquired about visiting Southeast Fresno Park under construction; staff offered a field trip for up to three commissioners to see active Measure P projects.

Key Outcomes

• Absences excused: Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Dohlin excused; Commissioner Kucharski arrived late.
• Agenda and minutes approved by unanimous vote (5-0-3).
• No formal votes on workshops or hearings; public testimony was heard without commission action.
• Staff directives: Commissioners requested a presentation on Measure P fund allocations relative to PRAC recommendations (to be provided in August or September). Also requested capital maintenance updates on Mary Ella Brown Park and a tour of southeast Fresno construction sites.
• Next steps for EAAC: Stay on schedule for cycle 3 eligibility screening (August 15) and application deadline (September 30). Subcommittee for Application Review Committee to form at August 17 meeting.