Fresno City Council Meeting – August 27, 2026

The Fresno City Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, August 27, 2026, beginning at 9:06 AM. The meeting included ceremonial presentations, scheduled hearings, a contested consent calendar, and a closed session. Key actions included the adoption of a Tobacco Retailer's License ordinance and the naming of a new park. Council President Nelson Esparza presided; Vice President Tyler Maxwell arrived at 9:35 AM. All seven council members were present for roll call.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of August 13, 2026, meeting.
• Approved the Fourth Amendment to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging.
• Authorized agreements and contracts for the Fresno Chandler Executive Airport Runway 12-30 Rehabilitation Project ($318,000 for construction management; $1,543,391 construction contract).
• Approved a resolution authorizing FAA grant applications for FY2027-2028 at both Fresno airports.
• Approved Contract Change Order No. 1 for the Tower Theatre Fire Alarm Installation ($21,649).
• Approved Change Order No. 2 for Leaky Acres Groundwater Recharge Facility ($1,669,659.62) and No. 3 for North Avenue Sewer Trunk Main Realignment ($300,000).
• Awarded contracts for fire department equipment (X-Naut iPad cases), custodial services increase (ScrubCan, Inc., $518,000/year), cooperative purchase agreements for equipment/vehicle rentals and general supplies.
• Approved funds for Haz Mat training ($200,000, Cal OES), and reappropriation of funds for Urban Search and Rescue and Haz Mat training.
• Approved a six-month emergency extension for SimpleTherapy Employee Assistance Program.
• Adopted Ordinance 2026-25 amending municipal code regarding Electric Vehicle Charging and Hydrogen Fueling Station review process.
• Adopted Resolution 2026-202 naming the new park at Veterans Boulevard and Barstow Avenues "Cruz Bustamante Park." Councilmember Karbassi spoke in favor, highlighting Bustamante's legacy as a former Assembly Speaker and Lieutenant Governor.
• Approved reappointment of Alysia Bonner to the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board, and appointments to the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District and Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging boards.
• Approved amendment to meeting schedule, moving the November 19, 2026 meeting to November 12, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Neil O'Brien (District 6 resident) testified that Republic Services is charging fees not authorized in the franchise agreement, including a "container access fee" and "contaminated materials fee" not listed in Exhibit J. He requested the city order credits, refunds, and enforce the contract as written.
• Sherry Chavarria expressed support for naming the park after Cruz Bustamante, calling his bipartisan legacy a source of pride for the Central Valley.
• Elijah Davila (Fresno County Tobacco Free Coalition) thanked council for the tobacco retail licensing policy and offered to continue education on enforcement.
• Sunny Chauhan (7-Eleven franchisee) supported the tobacco ordinance but sought clarifications on the $1,000 fee and overlap with state enforcement.
• Balwinder Singh (APCA) requested more time for retailer input and urged council to table the ordinance to refine language.
• Jay Bhandal, Andy Chhikara, Bill Bunnell, Sukhbir Bhandal raised concerns about fee levels, license transferability, and the need for clear distinction between serious violations and minor administrative errors.
• Baulia Xiong (Tobacco Free Coalition) thanked council for prioritizing public health and offered continued partnership.
• Robert Park (American Cancer Society Action Network) urged stronger provisions including proactive inspections and penalties on license holders, not employees.
• Joseph Rodriguez and Lisa Flores called for removal of Flock cameras ("defund Fresno"), citing privacy concerns and an online petition with over 2,300 signatures.
• Gurinder Singh opposed the $1,000 fee, calling it an added burden on small businesses already paying state fees.
• Alesis Sims, Jamie Morgan (American Heart Association) supported a comprehensive tobacco retail license ordinance with best practices.
• Harmon Singh (District 1) criticized the lack of public process for naming the park, noting a community meeting in June promised further input but none occurred before the resolution.
• Alfred Aldrete (Fresno Resistance) reiterated opposition to Flock cameras and urged council to end the contract.
• Nikki Real raised concerns about data center development under CETA and asked for a moratorium.

Discussion Items

• Right-of-Way Vacation (North Brawley Avenue/West Buckingham Way): Public hearing opened and closed with no speakers. Resolution 2026-196 adopted unanimously (5-0, with Perea and Arias absent).
• Community Facilities District No. 9 Annexation No. 75 (ID 26-1039): Staff announced this item was continued to September 17, 2026 at 9:15 AM.
• EOC Lease Extension (2-N): Councilmember Arias moved to contested consent to discuss termination of Head Start programs at Mary Ella Brown and Romaine community centers. General Services Director Brian Barr explained EOC is reducing enrollment and consolidating services, that EOC had moved out months ago, and that the city plans to repurpose the spaces (e.g., senior and after-school programs). Councilmember Arias requested a short extension to allow further communication with EOC, but after clarification, approved the one-year extension. Passed 5-0 (Karbassi and Richardson absent).
• Tobacco Retailer's License Ordinance (2-Y): Councilmember Richardson moved to contested consent for extensive discussion. The ordinance requires an annual license fee of $973, offset by a $1.4 million state grant to $138 per retailer. Council President Esparza and Vice President Maxwell (co-sponsors) argued it targets illegal products and is cost-based. Councilmember Richardson proposed amendments to distinguish four categories of violations (administrative, code, illegal product, sales) and to add an annual review, but did not formally offer amendments. Assistant City Attorney Aaron Martin and staff explained the fee covers enforcement, and that code enforcement has discretion in enforcement. Councilmember Arias questioned implementation timeline and funding. Councilmember Perea cited 15-day cure periods for minor violations. Councilmember Karbassi emphasized the need to protect youth and small businesses. Councilmember Vang supported the annual compliance report. The ordinance passed 6-1, with Councilmember Richardson voting no.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolution 2026-196 for street right-of-way vacation.
• Adopted Resolution 2026-202 naming the new park "Cruz Bustamante Park."
• Approved the lease extension with Fresno EOC through September 1, 2027.
• Adopted Ordinance 2026-26 establishing a Tobacco Retailer's License for the City of Fresno, with an annual fee initially set at $138 after grant subsidy, to begin enforcement in 2027.
• Council voted 6-0 (Vang not present) in closed session to initiate litigation against an unnamed defendant. No other closed session announcements were made.