2026-09-17 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.

Regular meeting called to order at 9:11 AM; six of seven members present, Vice President Maxwell absent. Open session adjourned at 3:25 PM and closed session at 5:00 PM.
Agenda approved as amended 6-0. Annexation No. 75 to Community Facilities District No. 9 was continued to October 22 by staff; the Workforce Development Board appointments were tabled.
Dolores Huerta Park right-of-way vacation (Resolution 2026-211) and the historic designation of 207 East San Joaquin Street (Resolution 2026-212) each adopted 6-0.
Support for Proposition 1 (housing bond) approved 5-1 on consent, with Richardson opposed.
Consent calendar adopted 6-0, including Proposition 64 grants of $1,440,788 and $6,000,000.
Central Southeast Area Specific Plan and the Annadale Avenue plan amendment hearings were continued to October 22.
Closed session covered labor negotiations, three litigation matters, two anticipated-litigation matters and the performance evaluations of the City Attorney and City Clerk; no announcements.

Hearing opened at 11:09 AM; three members of the public spoke, comment closed at 11:16 AM.
Resolution 2026-212 designating 207 East San Joaquin Street to the Local Register of Historic Resources adopted on Arias's motion, seconded by Perea, 6-0.

Hearing at 11:23 AM with no presentation and no public speakers.
Resolution 2026-211 vacating City right of way at North Milburn and West Dakota Avenues adopted on Perea's motion, seconded by Karbassi, 6-0.

Hearing on adopting the plan (about 2,067 acres, Districts 5 and 7), with repeal of the Roosevelt Community Plan and Butler/Willow Specific Plan and a rezone of about 119 acres, continued to October 22, 2026, at 3:55 PM.

Hearing on Plan Amendment and Rezone P23-03006 (about 55.31 acres, change from Neighborhood Mixed-Use to Light Industrial; the agenda lists deny actions) continued to October 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

Annexation No. 75 (Final Tract Map 6172, Riverside Drive and Palo Alto Avenue) continued to October 22 at 9:15 AM by staff.
Resolution 2026-223 of intention to annex Annexation No. 77 (east side of North Chestnut Avenue south of Ashlan Avenue) adopted on consent; hearing set October 22 at 9:10 AM.

City Attorney's Office: acceptance of $1,440,788 and a $375,000 appropriation (Resolutions 2026-213 and 2026-214) adopted on consent.
Police Department: acceptance of $6,000,000, an $884,700 appropriation (Resolutions 2026-215 and 2026-216) and a $75,000 evaluation agreement with the Fresno State foundation adopted on consent.

Resolution 2026-217 supporting the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 approved 5-1: Aye (Esparza, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Vang), No (Richardson), Maxwell absent.

Arias reported public confusion about downtown meter bagging, special event fees and enforcement and asked the City Manager to gather business feedback.
City Manager White said she would work with his office to identify stakeholders, including those outside the business improvement district, and noted contractors often buy bagged meters.

Resolution 2026-219 (15th amendment) appropriating $3,365,600 in Council Department carryover and adjusting Public Works council infrastructure carryover adopted on consent.

Second amendment extending Poverello House mobile shower and restroom operations through June 30, 2027 ($243,000, HHAP and Encampment Resolution Fund) moved to contested consent by Arias; approved 6-0 on his motion, seconded by Richardson.

Resolution 2026-224 amending the commission's quorum requirements adopted on consent.

Ceremonial items included proclamations for Valley Volleyball Academy, California Native American Day, Orange Shirt Day, Constitution Week, the Fresno State marching band centennial and Dolly Parton Day.
Consent items also approved: June budget hearing and September 3 minutes, a $561,370 airport sound insulation consultant agreement, an airport groundwater contract amendment ($1,196,236, total $7,367,750), a $1,173,537 traffic signal contract at Van Ness and Clinton, a fire regional training center agreement with State Center Community College District, an Air Support Unit hangar lease ($54,768 a year), and FAX janitorial and steam bay contracts. Perea and Esparza disclosed property and employment interests and stated no conflict.
Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant cycle two (up to $165,000, Resolution 2026-220) adopted 6-0 on contested consent.
Sierra Sky Park aviation accident: councilmembers and staff thanked responding agencies.
Five members of the public spoke in unscheduled communication.
Minutes approved unanimously October 8, 2026.