Here’s what you need to know:
- The council (3-2) approved adoption of the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) approved Measure C Expenditure Plan and Implementing Guidelines. Mayor Beltran stated that Measure C must be passed “as soon as possible” to fix road potholes.
- The council approved an application for $1.25 million in CDBG funds.
- The council (5-0) approved travel and expenses for the mayor to attend the White House Climate Emergency & Energy Security Summit on Monday, August 15, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
- West Coast Business Development Director Matthew Tate said that he hopes they can attract retail businesses in Parlier.
The Scene
According to its website, Parlier is a general law city governed by a five-member city council and operates under the City Council-City Manager form.
Council members are the leaders and policymakers elected to represent various community segments and concentrate on policy issues responsive to citizens’ needs and wishes. The city council appoints the city manager to carry out policy and ensure service for the entire community.
Parlier City Administrator, Sonia Hall, handles the city’s day-to-day business with an “open-door policy” to community residents and businesses, where comments, concerns, and suggestions are always welcome.
The Parlier City Council meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 1100 E. Parlier Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648 or through Youtube.
Parlier City Council Members present:
- Mayor Alma M. Beltran,
- Mayor Pro-Tempore Trinidad Pimentel,
- Councilwoman Diane Maldonado,
- Councilwoman Sabrina Rodriguez,
- Councilwoman Cathryn Solorio,
Others Present:
- City Manager Sonia Hall
- City Engineer Javier Andrade
- Assistant City Manager Bertha Escalera
- City Clerk Dorothy Garza
- City Treasurer Michelle Lopez
- City Planner Jeff O’Neal
- Chief of Police David Cerda
- West Coast Business Development Director Mathew Tate
- Fernando Vanuelos
- Deputy Director at Fresno Council of Governments (COG) Robert Phipps
Discussions/Actions
After the presentations, the City Council unanimously approved the following:
1. The council (5-0) approved the check reports dated July 19, 2022, to August 1, 2022.
2. The council (5-0) approved travel and expenses for the mayor to attend the White House Climate Emergency & Energy Security Summit on Monday, August 15, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
Council Member Rodriguez suggested an estimate of the cost when the item is approved.
Mayor Beltran clarified that the approval of the item excludes the cost.
Mayor-Pro Tempore Pimentel said that having Mayor Beltran attend the summit will give Parlier attention.
Mayor Beltran stressed that her attendance as an elected official at the summit sought to galvanize support for the passage of SB 1020 in the Senate.
She said that she would cover the travel and expenses for her husband.
Fernando Vanuelos urged Mayor Beltran for an “actual breakdown” of the expenses and a report of the activities.
Regular Business consists of:
3. Consideration and necessary action on adoption of the Fresno Council of Governments
approved Measure C Renewal Expenditure Plan and Implementing Guidelines (presented by Deputy Director at Fresno Council of Governments (COG) Robert Phipps)
The council (3-2) approved Resolution No. 2022-42, adopting the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) approved Expenditure Plan and Implementing Guidelines.
On August 7, 2019, the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) Board authorized staff to begin the process of seeking to renew Measure C with a target of placing the measure on the November 2022 ballot.
Included in this authorization was the direction to establish an Executive Committee (EC) and a Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop a draft expenditure plan for presentation to the FCTA Board for final approval.
Staff began contacting the various public and private sector organizations to ask for volunteers to join these two committees.
With rare exceptions, staff did not contact specific individuals but worked through agencies and organizations to identify who would serve on the two committees.
In March 2020, the COVID epidemic hit the United States. The threat of exposure precluded FCTA and Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) staff from scheduling meetings of these committees for approximately 11 months.
During that period, society adapted to meeting in a virtual environment. As a result, the first meetings of these two groups were held virtually in January and February of 2021.
Simultaneously with this effort, the Fresno COG was updating and adopting its Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS).
The RTP/SCS is the 20-year transportation planning document for Fresno County, while Measure C is part of how the RTP/SCS plan is implemented.
As a result, the RTP/SCS became the framework for Measure C renewal.
The two committees spent much of their early meetings discussing membership, listening to background information about the Original Measure C adopted in 1986, the Measure C Extension adopted in 2006, and developing guiding principles for a potential third measure (MC3).
Membership and process discussions consumed much of the committees’ time in the initial months, particularly within the EC.
Fresno COG held several community meetings where the RTP/SCS was discussed and sought public input for over a year.
Measure C staff and consultants participated in these RTP meetings with discussions about what the public viewed as the highest priorities for a renewed Measure C.
In March of 2021, FCTA staff commissioned a public opinion poll to determine what County residents thought were the most pressing transportation issues and whether or not they would support a second extension of Measure C.
Staff shared the results of that poll with the FCTA Board and the two committees. The polling indicated high support for renewing Measure C (80 percent) and that fixing local roads was the highest priority, also at 80 percent.
In October 2021, FCTA conducted a series of in-person and online public forums specific to Measure C renewal.
The staff made short presentations while listening to members of the public who discussed what they thought were the highest priorities for a third Measure C.
Simultaneously, FCTA also launched an online survey to gather similar data.
To date, staff has received 2,804 responses with very similar results. FCTA staff and consultants also conducted in-person door-to-door contacts with residents in Cantua Creek, Lenore, Tranquility, Orange Cove, Parlier, Kerman, Mendota, Caruthers, Coalinga, Del Rey, Five Points, Huron, Sanger, Kingsburg, and San Joaquin.
Spanish speakers completed approximately 1,070 surveys.
The public meetings, online surveys, and in-person contacts all conveyed the same basic messages as the polling; fixing roads was the number one priority.
Beginning with the needs assessment performed by Fresno COG through the RTP/SCS process, staff began drafting alternative proposals for Measure C 3 funding.
Staff initially presented four alternatives to the TWG.
Two of these four had a significant level of support within the TWG. The TWG later refined these two alternatives.
During this process, FCTA and Fresno COG staff also met with representatives from Fresno County, the City of Fresno, and the City of Clovis to discuss the framework of the preferred alternatives the TWG was considering.
While by no means diminishing the importance of the small cities, Fresno, Clovis, and Fresno County’s support of a proposed plan was critical to obtaining its eventual endorsement by both the TWG and EC.
Based on these meetings, these modifications increased the Transit and Local Control subprograms.
Specifically, the increase in the Local Control Program was intended to allow each agency to best tailor their Measure C expenditures to their unique and specific needs.
This flexibility was especially critical for the City of Fresno, which wanted to use some of its Local Control Program money to increase further funds dedicated to public transit.
The TWG considered and approved this allocation plan by a substantial majority and then sent it to the EC for consideration.
The EC also considered and approved the plan as submitted by the TWG.
The second series of public meetings was to listen to people’s concerns about transportation in Fresno County.
A second opinion poll was also conducted, resulting in nearly identical results to the first poll.
Once the EC adopted the draft allocation plan, staff used the proposed allocation plan adopted by the EC and TWG to develop a detailed draft Expenditure Plan and a set of Implementing Guidelines.
The Expenditure Plan was posted for public review on May 27, 2022, and the Implementing Guidelines were posted about a week later.
Staff received several written and verbal comments on the plan and guidelines. Many of the suggested revisions were incorporated, while some were not.
Comments not included in the plan tended to conflict with the allocation plan adopted by the EC and TWG.
The public comment period closed on June 27, 2022, and staff posted a final draft revision of the draft plan and guidelines on June 29, 2022.
The plan was ultimately approved by COG and has now been approved by the Fresno County Transportation Authority.
In mid-June, FCTA and Fresno COG staff presented the EC/TWG approved plan to the Fresno City Council.
Shortly after that presentation, staff was made aware that the City of Fresno would not support the EC/TWG Plan as currently written.
FCTA and Fresno COG staff agreed that the substantially revised proposal submitted by the City had merit as it closely followed the EC/TWG plan with a few minor revisions.
These revisions included:
1. Allowing sidewalk repairs to be funded through the Local Neighborhood and Street Repair and Maintenance Program (Street Repair Program)
2. Revising the distribution of these street repairs funds from 75 percent population – 25 percent road miles to 80 percent — 20 percent (later revised to 78 percent — 22 percent)
3. Revise the distribution of the Local Control Program funds to 100% population-based
4. Establish an annual $100,000 minimum allocation within the Street Repair Program for each of the 16 agencies in Fresno County
5. Change a few projects included in the City of Fresno’s portion of the Tier 1 Major Roads and Highway Program
6. Limit Urban Transit Oriented Development (TOD) funding to certain high-density and transit corridor requirements
7. Include local hiring preference language
These changes resulted in each of the 15 cities in Fresno County getting slightly more funding (approximately 5 percent to 20 percent, with the smallest cities experiencing the largest increase).
At the same time, Fresno County would receive about $187 million less over the life of the Measure. After considerable public and Board discussion, the Fresno COG Policy Board approved the EC/TWG plan as modified by the City of Fresno.
On July 12, 2022, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors also considered the plan adopted by Fresno COG.
All Board members expressed concern with the lower Fresno County allocation and with the last-minute changes requested by the City of Fresno; however, after much discussion, the Board adopted the plan as previously approved by Fresno COG.
With these approvals in place, it is now incumbent on the FCTA Board to consider adopting the plan approved by the Fresno COG Policy Board.
A full copy of both the Expenditure Plan and Implementing Guidelines are included in this Board package. In summary, the approved plan provides total projected revenue over 30 years of $6,835,044,756 or approximately $7 Billion.
In addition, the Expenditure Plan and Implementing Guidelines incorporate the other changes proposed by the City of Fresno except for the revised TOD criteria, which must still be developed by Fresno, Clovis, and Fresno COG staff.
Developing the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) will include these revised criteria.
The overall transportation needs in Fresno County exceed the revenues generated through a ½ cent sales tax. However, this plan makes substantial progress towards meeting a high percentage of these needs. Specifically, this plan will:
Specific language on local hiring preferences will also need to be developed and included in the SIP.
The overall transportation needs in Fresno County exceed the revenues generated through a ½ cent sales tax.
However, this plan makes substantial progress towards meeting a high percentage of these needs. Specifically, this plan will:
- Allow the county to fix potholes and repair streets, reaching an average Pavement Condition Index of 70, which is within the “Good” category, thus reducing future maintenance costs, decreasing user costs, improving vehicle safety, bicyclists and pedestrians, and improving air quality.
- Dedicates funds to disadvantaged communities and areas, including a $100,000 minimum allocation, which will help the smaller cities in the County, and dedication of no less than 30 percent of the street repair funds to disadvantaged areas
- Provides over $1 billion in Local Control sub-program funding so that each agency can best meet its transportation needs, including additional road repairs, enhanced transit funding, active transportation projects, or any other eligible transportation facility or service.
- Provides over $800 million to the three transit agencies in Fresno County, an increase of 180 percent over the current transit allocation.
- In conjunction with other identified funding sources, it meets 95 percent of the overall active transportation need established through the 2022 RTP/SCS process.
- Helps address safety issues and congestion choke points on the urban and rural highways and major road systems
- Dedicates $144 million specifically for environmental enhancements beyond those specifically included in the other subprograms
- Collectively will improve pavement, improve safety, reduce congestion, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the RTP/SCS.
Mayor Beltran stated that Measure C must be passed “as soon as possible” to fix road potholes.
A resident said that Measure C will hurt local communities as it will focus on cities with mayors and benefit developers.
4. Consideration and Necessary Action on Submission of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
The council (4-1) adopted Resolution No. 2022-43, approving an Application for Funding and the Execution of a Grant Agreement and Any Amendments from the 2021-2022 Funding Year of the State CDBG Program.
According to City Manager Sonia Hall, the CDBG program is for developing viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment.
“Persons of low and moderate-income” are defined as families, households, and individuals whose incomes do not exceed 80 percent of the county median income, adjusted for family or household size.
The City is applying for $1,250,000 for the following activities (to include the
administration and activity delivery):
- Planning and Technical Assistance- ED studies ($250,000)
- Homeownership Assistance/Housing FTHB ($500.000)
- Public Services – DV, Youth Prevention, BTC ($500.000)
5. Retail Recruitment.
The council (5-0) authorized the City Manager to enter a service contract with Retail Strategies.
West Coast Business Development Director Matthew Tate hopes they can attract retail businesses.
Tate mentioned that they would seek community engagement through their Downtown Strategies program.
6. Introduction and first reading of an ordinance amending the Parlier Municipal Code (PMC)
adding Section 2.16.040 and adopting a policy on the Police Department’s use of military equipment.
The council (5-0) waived the First Reading and introduced an ordinance adopting policy relating to using military equipment and scheduled adoption for a public hearing.
The Legislature recently adopted Government Code 7070 through 7072.
The law requires the police department to develop and adopt a policy on the use of military equipment and to disclose the military equipment it currently uses.
The proposed ordinance conforms to those new requirements by simply incorporating the policy adopted by the police department by reference.
Adopting this ordinance is necessary to bring the city into compliance with the new state law.
7. Consideration and Necessary Action on Resolution Declaring Emergency Authorizing Directly Related and Immediate Action Required by Emergency to Procure Necessary Equipment, Services, and Supplies for Extension of Utilities (Water and Sewer) at Manning West of Academy Without Giving Notice for Bids to Let Contracts.
The council (5-0) adopted a resolution declaring an emergency and authorizing directly related and immediate action required by the emergency to procure necessary equipment, services, and supplies for the extension of utilities (water and sewer) at Manning West of Academy without giving notice for bids to let contracts.
8. The council (5-0) adopted Resolution No. 2022-44, titled “Confirming Diagram and Assessment, Annual Levy 2022-2023, Landscaping Maintenance and Lighting District No. I”, and authorized the filing of the Resolution and Engineer’s Report.
During the closed session, the city council members discussed the following, according to the agenda:
9. Public Employment Under Government Code Section 54957
All Positions.
10. Pending Litigation Under Government Code $54956.9
Enfinity Central Val 2 Parlier LLC V. City of Parlier USDC Case No. 2:19-cv-01607
The meeting ended at 9:45 p.m. The next city council meeting will be on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. at 1100 E. Parlier Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648, or through Zoom.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at Documenters-admin@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.