Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Regular Meeting – October 12, 2026

The Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission (PRAC) met in regular session in Fresno City Hall Council Chambers on Monday, October 12, 2026, beginning at 5:34 p.m. Six commissioners were present; Commissioners Jose Barraza and Kelly Kucharski were absent and their absences were excused. The commission approved the agenda and the prior meeting minutes, received a fiscal year (FY) 2028 PARCS budget presentation, heard public testimony on arts and culture grant payments and Measure P-related topics, and adjourned at 6:46 p.m. in memory of Dr. Francine Oputa.

Routine Approvals

• The agenda was approved on a motion by Commissioner Duran, seconded by Commissioner Caglia, with 6 ayes and 2 absent.
• The September 21, 2026 regular meeting minutes (ID 26-1338) were approved on a motion by Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Miller, with 6 ayes and 2 absent.

Subcommittee, Member, and Staff Reports

• ARC Subcommittee: Chair McCoy reported that ARC applications were received by the deadline. The approved minutes state 111 applications; the raw transcript appears to say 11, so the exact count should be confirmed. PARCS staff confirmed none of the applicants were board members. Review and scoring have not yet begun.
• Commissioner Dohlin reported that the new pickleball and basketball courts at the Roeding Park tennis complex are excellent and are being heavily used by the public.
• PARCS Director Aguirre announced ribbon cuttings at Neilson Park on October 9 and at Maxie L. Parks Community Center, an El Dorado Park community meeting on October 14 at the CAP Center, and an upcoming Roeding Park courts ribbon cutting. He also described the one-acre El Dorado pocket park and community-requested amenities; staff noted exercise stations and walking loops are increasingly included in new park designs.
• City Administration staff were not present due to a scheduling conflict.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Bouttavong, program director at the Laotian American Community of Fresno, described technical problems during the September 30 cycle-three grant submission. He said his work was not saving, he received an error when submitting near the deadline, and he was left unsure whether his application was received. He suggested having staff available to help on the deadline day.
• Allen Bryan asked about the high cost of the recent splash pad and whether contractor mandates and red tape could be reduced.
• Elizabeth Laval, President of the City and County Historical Society, said she believed no cycle-two grantees had been paid as of October 12. She cited a bounced check from February, repeatedly added signature requirements, and urged the commission to help get payments completed.
• Parvin Makek, representing an Iranian culture and arts group, described problems obtaining and scanning receipts, being unable to update an Excel reimbursement form, receiving no response, and being warned the group could be noncompliant. She said the final 10 percent of funding had not been paid.
• Smiley G. echoed concerns about the unpaid final 10 percent, noting vendors were pressing grantees for payment and that waiting until December would be too long.

Hearing: FY 2028 PARCS Budget Build (ID 26-1340)

• The item was called at 5:51 p.m.; no public comments were received, and public comment was closed at 6:25 p.m.
• PARCS Business Manager Xiong and Projects Administrator Portale presented a Measure P funding snapshot: an estimated beginning balance of just over $65.9 million, projected tax revenue of just over $49.1 million, about $2.1 million in other revenue/interest, and total Measure P appropriations of $98,677,900 across the funding categories.
• The presentation covered FY 2026 capital work, including four projects under construction (Les Kimber Park, Southeast Fresno Sports Complex, Dolores Huerta Park, and the citywide senior center), 19 completed capital improvements, and 14 community engagement events. In FY 2027 to date, staff reported nine new projects started, eight projects substantially completed, and three community engagement events held, with more planned.
• Completed and active projects included court resurfacing and multi-court conversions at Roeding, Logan, and Lyons parks; shade structures; soft-fall repairs; field lighting; a new park in the Tower District; restroom and picnic shelter work; completion of the CAP Center south building; and replacement of two Camp Fresno cabins using general fund dollars.
• Future or unfunded designs included El Dorado Park, Cruz Bustamante Park (formerly Veterans/Barstow), additional restrooms and tot-lot replacements, Les Kimber exercise equipment and trees, flood-control basin parks with walking trails and exercise stations, and several other unfunded rehabilitation projects.
• Commissioner discussion included questions from Chair McCoy about the number of highest-needs projects (staff identified five of the recent completions), flood basin park protocols, and Prop 68/Prop 4 grant funding. Chair McCoy stated she is against using basins as parks. Commissioner Duran asked about the gap between Measure P revenue and appropriations; staff said unappropriated balances stay within their categories. Commissioner Dohlin asked about flood-control maintenance and lighting at Roeding Park. Commissioner Caglia asked about BMX/skate park maintenance and the Mary Ella Brown Center irrigation; staff said those repairs are handled through operations and that irrigation is installed with trees to be planted within two weeks.
• During the action portion, no commissioner made a formal FY 2028 budget recommendation for Council adoption.

Hearing: Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant Program (ID 26-1342)

• The item was called at 6:26 p.m.; public comment closed at 6:35 p.m.
• Staff responded to the public comments, saying some delays were grantee-specific because expenses must be substantiated with receipts and signature-authority questions were still being resolved with the City Attorney. They said they respond to emails, meet one-on-one, and process mailed documents.
• Staff said they will contact every cycle-two grantee with an October 31 deadline to submit remaining documents.
• Chair McCoy expressed concern that cycle three launched before cycle two payments were resolved, that cycle-two grantees should receive grace, and that the city should provide help on application deadline days. Vice Chair Ward asked for a substantive update at the next meeting; staff indicated one would be provided.

Hearing: Measure P Allocations and Plan Updates (ID 26-1343)

• The item was called at 6:45 p.m. No public comments were received, and there was no commission discussion. Public comment closed at 6:46 p.m. Chair McCoy then adjourned the meeting in memory of Dr. Francine Oputa.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and minutes approved 6-0, with two commissioners absent.
• ARC application review is pending; exact application count should be confirmed between the minutes (111) and transcript (11).
• No formal FY 2028 budget recommendations were made at this meeting; further budget presentations are scheduled for October 26, November 9, and November 23.
• Staff stated they will send cycle-two arts grant grantees an October 31 deadline for remaining documents and will provide a program update at the next meeting.
• The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m. in memory of Dr. Francine Oputa.