Documenter: Heather Halsey Martinez

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Before leaving on a month-long recess, the council approved 12 items on the consent calendar, including an application for a $5 million grant award from the CalHome Program to fund affordable housing activities.

  • The council approved a rezone on Shaw and Locan Avenues to allow for a 17-lot development by De Young Properties on land previously owned by Clovis Christian School. 

  • During closed session, the council received a semi-annual litigation update on a dozen court cases and numerous claims, including a negligence lawsuit against the city for a double murder that occurred in 2016. 

The Scene

The Clovis City Council meeting took place on August 2, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was made available via Webex and YouTube Live. The agenda no longer states that face masks are required for those who attend in person due to COVID-19 and none of the council members wore face masks.

Names of officials:

Jose Flores, Mayor (also Chief of Police, State Center Community College District Police Department)

Lynne Ashbeck, Mayor Pro Tem (also Senior Vice President Community Engagement and Population Wellness, Valley Children’s Healthcare)

Vong Mouanoutoua, Council Member (also External Relations and Project Development Director, Community Medical Foundation)

Bob Whalen, Council Member (also Fresno County Deputy District Attorney)

Drew Bessinger, Council Member (also Chief of Police, Fresno Yosemite International Airport)

The meeting opened with Whalen leading the council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Bessinger then read a proclamation declaring Aug. 1 to 7, 2021 International Assistance Dog Week. Resident Ed Crane and his canine partner, Ern, were in council chambers. Crane said he suffers from epilepsy and Ern is able to warn him when he has an oncoming seizure. “These dogs bring us freedom…so that we can live a normal life,” Crane said. 

Next, John Macisaac, long term planning and development services employees plans examiner, and Mike McLemore, senior building inspector, were recognized for their service ahead of their retirements on Aug. 6. 

From there, the meeting was open for public comments, but no one spoke in the chambers or online. It was stated that no correspondence was received either.

Actions

  • Approved minutes from July 19 meeting.

  • Approved a rezone of 2.71 acres located near the southeast corner of Sierra Vista Parkway and Shaw Ave. from the administrative/professional office zone to the commercial community zone. 

  • Received and filed Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County quarterly report for April to June 2021. 

  • Approved an application for a $5 million grant award from the CalHome Program to fund affordable housing activities. 

  • Approved the submittal of the 2021-2022 transportation funding claim totalling $9.8 million to the Council of Fresno County Governments. 

  • Approved weed and rubbish abatement charges for 36 properties. These charges plus a $300 administrative fee have been billed directly to property owners and if not paid by July 31, 2021, they will be added to the owner’s property tax statement.

  • Approved amending the city’s classification plan and revising the police officer recruit/lateral, police corporal and policy sergeant classifications.

  • Approved amending the city’s 2021-2022 position allocation plan by adding one animal services aide position. 

  • Approved supporting and implementing the, “Timely Use of Funding,” as required by AB1012 for candidate 2021-22 Federal Transportation Act, FAST Act projects. The City of Clovis is earmarked to receive a little over $3.3 million in funding for street rehabilitation and traffic flow improvement projects.

  • Approved bid award for Clovis Avenue street rehabilitation to Dave Christian Construction Co, Inc. in the amount of $638,662. 

  • Approved bid award for civic center hydronic piping replacement to New England Sheet Metal and Mechanical Company in the amount of $507,500. 

  • Approved acceptance of $198, 631 for Pasa Tiempo Park rubber surfacing, two playground slide replacements and net climber footing. 

  • Approved rezoning approximately 3.54 acres located near the northeast corner of Shaw and Locan Avenues from the public facilities zone to single family residential. 

    • Flores abstained due to his conflict of interest since the project is, “very close,” to his home. 

    • Assistant City Manager John Holt presented the item and noted that it was not approved unanimously previously and that is why it is back on the agenda. 

    • The rezone is to accommodate a 17-lot housing development by De Young Properties on land that was previously owned by Clovis Christian School.

  • Approved designation of Flores as the voting delegate and Mouanoutoua as the alternate for the League of California Cities’ Annual Conference and Business Meeting on Sept. 22-24. 

    • City Manager Luke Serpa presented the item. 

Flores opened the meeting for comments by Serpa. He reminded the council that a community meeting to discuss the Shaw Avenue widening project will be held on Aug. 10 at 6 p.m. in the Clovis East lecture hall. 

Flores then opened the meeting for council comments. Ashbeck said she attended COG in place of Flores last week. She also said she received an email from a resident complaining about PG&E sidewalk repairs that have been pending for six months. Serpa said there was no permit pulled so they aren’t able to see which contractor did the work. 

Flores said he would like to propose a Jenna Prandini Day. He said that his family was a beneficiary of her generosity and his niece was awarded the Sassano Blanket from her. 

The meeting then moved into closed session at 6:31 p.m. to discuss anticipated litigation and the following court cases, claims and an administrative case: 

Flores said they would not have actions to report back. 

The council adjourned for summer recess from Aug. 3 to Sept. 6 and will reconvene on Sept. 7. 

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@thefresnoland.com with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

Support our nonprofit journalism.

$
$
$

Your contribution is appreciated.