Here’s what you need to know:

  • Fresno Council of Governments Executive Director Tony Boren provided updates on the renewal process of Measure C III, a countywide half-cent sales tax for transportation purposes that requires two-thirds voter support for passage.

  • The Council (5-0) passed a motion to discuss map NDC 101 further.

  • Council (5-0) approved to discuss the ordinance in a special meeting.

The Scene

According to its website, the City Council serves as the policy-making board of the City. The Kerman City Council has five members, including the Mayor. The City elects its mayor for a two-year term and Council Members for four-year terms.

The City Council meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the Kerman City Hall, 850 S. Madera Ave. The meeting is accessible through Zoom.

Officials Present:

  • Mayor Gary Yep 

  • Mayor Pro Tem Ismael Herrera 

  • Council Member Jennifer Coleman 

  • Council Member Kevin Nehring

  • Council Member Bill Nijjer 

Others Present:

  • City Clerk Marci Reyes

  • Chief John Golden

  • Jerry Jones

  • Fresno Council of Governments  Executive Director Tony Boren

  • Hilda Cantu Montoy

  • John Jansons

  • Pedro Quintana

  • Manuel Campos

  • (559) 213-6686

  • National Demographics Corporation Consultant Ken Chawkins

  • Maurice Rubio

  • Michelle Zaragoza

  • Marco Ortiz

Discussions/Actions

Fresno Council of Governments  Executive Director Tony Boren provided updates on the renewal process of Measure C III, a countywide half-cent sales tax for transportation purposes that requires two-thirds voter support for passage.

The original Measure C 1 was passed in 1986 and generated $700 million.

From 1986 to 2006, Measure C I built most of the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area urban freeway system and State Route 41/180/168.

Furthermore, C I covered major County roads such as Manning Avenue and Academy Avenue. It also funded 75 percent of regional and 25 percent of local projects.

78 percent of voters passed Measure C II in 2006 for 2007-2027. From 2007 to 2027, Measure C 1 raised $1.7 billion and included a multi-modal expenditure plan.

Moreover, the Measure allocated 34.6 percent on local, 30.4 percent on regional programs, 24 percent on public transit, 6 percent on alternative, 3.5 percent on environmental, and 1.5 percent on administration.

Measure CIll-Renewal Process is Underway since the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) meeting in  August 2019 and the Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) September 2019.

The duration is to be determined. The 20-year projected revenue is about $3 billion, while 30-year is about $5 billion.

The gathering inputs for the renewal process involves the following:

  • Registered voter polling at 8 subareas of Fresno County

  • Began soliciting public input in March 2021

  • A conducted online survey in English/Spanish – 1500 respondents to date

  • Held one-on-one meetings in rural unincorporated communities.

The renewal process starts with FTCA and Fresno COG staff drafting a recommendation, which focuses on eight programs:

  • Local Rehabilitation

  • Local Flexible

  • Regional Roads/Highways

  • Public Mobility (Urban/Rural Public Transit)

  • Active Transportation (Bikes/Pedestrian)

  • Trip Reduction Incentives

  • Clean Transportation & Environment

  • New Technology

The Technical Working Group (TWG) comprises 39 Members, which includes:

  • Public Works Directors- Planning Directors-City Managers

  • Regional Transportation Planners- Caltrans-Air District

  • Modal Advocates-Bike/Trails/Pedestrian

  • Community-Based Organizations

  • Interested Community Members

  • General Public

The staff will submit the draft to the TWG for revision. Next, the Executive Committee will review the program draft.

The Executive Committee has 35 members comprising:

  • 7 Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

  • 20 Industry/Business Sector

  • 8 Public Officials (Urban & Rural Mayors/Administrators)

The FCTA, Fresno COG, and Fresno County Board of Supervisors will examine the three expenditure drafts. Lastly, voters will consider Measure C III for the November 2022 ballot.

The Council (5-0) unanimously approved the items as follows:

A. Council approved minutes of January 26, 2022 meeting

B. Council approved payroll as presented.

C. Council approves warrants and electronic bank transfers as presented. (Under Government Code 37208)

D. Council accept the Monthly Investment Report

E. Remote City Council Meetings Under New Brown Act Requirements (MR)

Council by motion adopted a resolution reauthorizing remote teleconference public meetings by the City Council and all boards, commissions, and standing committees of the City under Assembly Bill 361.

F. Resolution Approving Amendment No. 2 to Contract with Mountain Valley Environmental Services, Inc. (JAJ)

Council by motion adopt the resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to contract with Mountain Valley Environmental Services, Inc. ATTACHMENTS: Staff Report – MVES

G. Resolution Approving Professional Services Agreement with Hamner, Jewell & Associates for Real Property Acquisition Services (JAJ)

Council by motion adopt the resolution approving professional services agreement with Hamner, Jewell & Associates for accurate property acquisition services for $25,000.

H. Resolution Accepting Stanislaus Avenue Park Development Project, Community Development Block Grant Project No. 17371 (JJ)

Council by motion adopted a resolution accepting the Stanislaus Avenue Park Development Project, Community Development Block Grant Project No. 17371 and authorizing the City Engineer to record the Notice of Completion.

Public hearings center on:

A. Public Hearing to Receive Input from the Community Regarding the Redrawing of District Boundaries for Election of City Council Members (MR)

National Demographics Corporation Consultant Ken Chawkins reported on the redistricting process.

The redistricting process must adhere to federal laws, California Criteria for Cities, and traditional redistricting principles.

On Census 2020 data, the district target population is 4014 and needs adjustment for population balance. The information for the districts has a 19.70 percent variation.

Based on the 2020 Census, map NDC 101 has a population deviation of 4.28 percent, NDC 102 with 7.90 percent, and NDC 103 with 1.69 percent.

The Council (5-0) unanimously passed a motion to discuss NDC 101 further.

Department Reports include the following:

A: Council by motion (5-0) adopted a resolution appointing one member to the Planning Commission.

B. Review and Discussion of City Ordinance Regarding Mobile Food Vendors (MR). Mayor Yep recused the discussion.

The Council adopted Mobile Food Ordinance on March 20, 2019. The ordinance required a mobile vendor permit, city business license, health department food permit, and sellers permit.

The ordinance regulated noise and odor, prohibited the sale of alcohol and tobacco, and required trash and debris collection.

Also, the ordinance had specific requirements for restaurants, residential, schools spacing, and on and off-street time limits.

Mobile food vendors may operate within non-residential districts but are subject to written authorization from the property owner. They can stay in a single location for 12 hours within 24 hours.

As a result of complaints and concerns from the public, the Council directed staff on changing the ordinance at its August 14, 2019 meeting.

The changes limit the number of mobile food vendors to 6 in nonresidential areas, with only four available in Madera Avenue between California and 180. The time for the operation is limited to 8 hours.

Since the adoption of Ordinance 1910, there have been minor violations with permitted mobile food vendors.

On occasions, Code Enforcement would have to address food vendors that attempted to operate within the City.

On January 10, staff was alerted of a new mobile food vendor, Kebab Twist, located on Highway 180 and Finland.

On January 18, Code Enforcement did a “courtesy contact” with Kebab Twist. The owner, Ms. Zaragoza,  wanted to talk with the Council. Other mobile food vendors were operating outside the allotted time.

Michelle Zaragoza and other mobile food vendors urged the Council to extend their operating hours.

Council (5-0) unanimously approved to discuss the ordinance in a special meeting.

The Council adjourned at 8:58 pm. The next Council meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at 6:00 pm through Zoom.

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

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