2026-10-08 - City Council
Summary
Built from the official minutes and the posted agenda. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.
- Regular meeting called to order at 9:16 AM; all seven members present. Council withdrew to closed session at 3:50 PM and adjourned at 4:18 PM in memory of bus driver Vincent Casella.
- Agenda approved as amended 7-0: the HUD Section 108 loan item was removed by staff with no return date; recycled water user agreements and the Tower District Box Art Program were tabled to October 22 by Arias.
- Consent calendar adopted 5-0 (Perea and Arias absent for that vote); no public comment on consent items.
- Water and wastewater rate hearing process (Proposition 218) tabled to November 5, 2026, 6-1, with Richardson opposed.
- Security contract increases with Allied Universal and the Maxie L. Parks HVAC bid rejection approved 7-0 on contested consent.
- Workshop on the West Coast Waste digester project presented; no vote.
- Eleven members of the public spoke in unscheduled communication, and councilmembers spoke at length about immigration enforcement in the Valley.
- Closed session: labor negotiations and anticipated litigation (a claim against the City); no announcements.
Immigration Enforcement Response
- Perea commented on the impact of recent enforcement activity and said her District 1 office is assembling information on residents' legal rights.
- Arias presented a video on the effects on workers and families, described the timing as voter intimidation, and urged vulnerable residents to avoid public outings.
- Esparza said the Fresno Police Department has no involvement in federal immigration enforcement and that residents should not fear calling police in emergencies; he pointed to a community hotline.
- Mayor Dyer acknowledged the emotional impact, stressed the contribution of immigrant labor to agriculture and criticized certain enforcement tactics.
Water and Wastewater Rate Increase
- Staff asked Council to start the Proposition 218 process and set a December 3, 2026, 5:00 PM public hearing on proposed rate increases.
- Arias, seconded by Vang, moved to deny initiation, then amended the motion to bring the item back November 5, 2026, after the general election and the results of two ballot measures with City budget effects.
- Tabled to November 5: Aye 6 (Esparza, Maxwell, Perea, Karbassi, Arias, Vang), No 1 (Richardson).
Allied Universal Security Contract
- Moved to contested consent by Arias, whose questions were answered beforehand; no discussion.
- Approved 7-0 on Arias's motion, seconded by Karbassi: annual increase up to $241,000 (Police headquarters and Granite Park Sports Complex) plus up to $300,000 for unforeseen needs, for a revised annual cap of $6,136,000; one-time increases of up to $81,000 (Clarion Pointe shelter), $500,000 (Blackstone and McKinley grade separation properties) and $180,000 (Fresno Sanitary Landfill).
West Coast Waste Digester Project
- Workshop presented by Dennis Balekian, president of West Coast Waste, and a consultant for the company; Council discussion held; no public comment; no vote.
- Consent item: product purchase contract with West Coast Waste for 43,750 compost procurement tons (SB 1383), not to exceed $210,943.91, approved.
Parkway Terrace Homekey Project
- Resolution 2026-225 adopted on consent: repeals and replaces Resolution 2026-26, authorizes the joint Homekey+ application with Parkway Prime, LLC, and approves a repair services agreement with Parkway Prime.
- Second amendment to the option to purchase 959 North Parkway Drive with the Fresno Housing Authority approved: closing period extended 200 days, Homekey provisions assigned, compensation unchanged.
Affordable Housing Projects
- HUD Section 108 loan item (up to $15 million loan pool for non-profit affordable housing developers) removed by staff with no return date.
- First amendment extending the Central Fresno Neighborhood Trust grant schedule to December 31, 2027 (50 rent-restricted units, no change in amount) approved on consent.
- Vang reported the groundbreaking of the final phase of Sarah's Court (120 affordable units in Southeast Fresno); Mayor Dyer cited the City's investment in subsidized units.
Homeless Services Funding
- First amendment to the Poverello House outreach agreement (HHAP), October 17, 2026, through March 31, 2027, not to exceed $175,000, approved on consent.
Copper River Ranch Water Supply
- Eighth amendment with CRD East, Inc. extending water equivalent dwelling unit eligibility to an additional 109 acres, plus a CEQA addendum, approved on consent.
Carnegie Library Garage
- Resolution 2026-226 dedicating City property for public utilities at the garage project adopted on consent.
Downtown Parking Enforcement
- Resolution 2026-230 exempting the Carnegie Library Garage and H Street Parking Structure from special event parking rates adopted on consent.
Council Department Budget Transfers
- Resolution 2026-231 (24th amendment) reallocating $50,000 from Public Works to the City Council Department adopted on consent.
Fresno County Library Privatization
- Resolution 2026-229 protecting access and governance in the county library system and opposing privatization adopted on consent.
Tower District Box Art Program
- Request for proposals resolution tabled to October 22, 2026, by Arias.
Child Care and Family Affordability Commission
- Maxwell reported the commission has formed three subcommittees: childcare supply, affordability, and policy, land use and financing.
Other business
- Appearances by the Central Valley Veterans Day Parade Committee (107th parade) and a Clovis resident on retirement fund procedures.
- Consent items also approved: September 17 minutes, Deferred Compensation Board appointments, Women's Commission reappointments, Workforce Development Board appointments, $14,488,900 appropriation for Pave More Now projects (Resolution 2026-227), a $30,000 Community Benefit Fund appropriation plus $70,000 reallocated for the 2027 LGBTQ Grant Program (Resolution 2026-228), and a cooperative purchase of wastewater polymer up to $6,964,746.15.
- Richardson announced the November 11 Veterans Day Parade with free shuttles; City Manager White noted a minor aircraft incident at Chandler Airport with no injuries.
- Minutes approved unanimously October 22, 2026.
Agenda
Proclamations (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Police and Fire Chaplaincy Month), Veterans Day Parade appearance, minutes, Deferred Compensation Board appointments, Parkway Terrace project (933 N Parkway Dr) actions and option agreement amendment with Fresno Housing Authority.