Notetaking by Trong Yang

Here’s what you need to know

  • The Fresno Housing Joint Boards of Commissioners met on Nov. 15, 2022 and approved moving forward with the acquisition of the former California Department of Water Resources building on 3374 E. Shields Ave. in Fresno. If awarded, the agency is expected to enter a low-cost, long-term ground lease agreement with the state for the development of 200 to 250 units of affordable housing, with an emphasis on two- and three-bedroom units. 
  • The boards also approved accepting a $3 million loan from the City of Fresno for Avalon Commons Phase I. The proposed 60-unit development will be located at 7521 N. Chestnut Ave. 
  • The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission and Fresno Housing are in preliminary discussions to develop a portion of the Esperanza Commons housing development for farmworkers in Mendota into a youth center run and operated by EOC. 
  • Fresno Housing staff members expressed concerns about how they have been feeling after being notified about poor customer service claims.

Follow-up questions

  • A staff member, Rosanne, expressed her feelings towards a recent customer service complaint. She asked that the board acknowledge her and her co-workers’ hard work in the field. How will this affect future reports from the board and the public or customers?
The Fresno Housing Commissioners moved forward the acquisition of the former California Department of Water Resources building on Shields Avenue, approved acceptance of a $3 million loan from the City of Fresno for Avalon Commons, and moved forward preliminary discussions with EOC to develop a youth center at Esperanza Commons in Mendota.

Notes

  • City Board:
    • Chair, Adrian Jones – present
    • Vice Chair, Stacy Vaillancourt – present
    • Commissioner, Caine Christensen – present
    • Commissioner, Sabrina Kelley – absent
    • Commissioner, Sharon Williams – present
    • Commissioner, Ruby Yanez – present
  • County Board:
    • Chair, Cary Catalano – present
    • Vice Chair, Nikki Henry – present
    • Commissioner, Joey Fuentes – present
    • Commissioner, Valori Gallaher – present
    • Commissioner, Sophia Ramos – present
    • Commissioner, Stacy Sablan – present
  • The Fresno Housing Authority Boards of Commissioners meeting took place at 1260 Fulton Street (2nd floor), Fresno, CA 93721 at 5:08 p.m. The meeting was accessible through Zoom.

Actions/Discussions/Public comment

  • The following items have been removed from the agenda:
    • Item 3: Appointment of Fresno Housing CEO to the California Finance Housing Agency Board of Directors
      • Fresno Housing CEO, Tyrone Roderick Williams absent
    • Item 9A: Public Employee Evaluation
      • Moved to the next meeting in December
  • In the consent calendar, the following items have been approved or removed:
    • Item A. Governance: Consideration of the Minutes for the Joint Regular Board Meeting on October 25, 2022
      • Removed from the agenda
    • Item B. Consideration of the Investment Policy
      • Approved 11-0
    • Item C. Consideration of Approval to Apply for California Department of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation Funds – San Joaquin Commons Phase
      • Approved 11-0
    • Item D. Consideration of Approval to Apply for California Depart. of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation Funds – La Joya Commons
      • Approved 11-0
    • Item E. Consideration of Approval to Accept City of Fresno Loan–Avalon Commons Phase I
      • Approved 11-0
    • Item F. Consideration of Adoption of the Agency 2023 Calendar
      • Approved 11-0
    • Item G. Consideration of Ratification of Submission of Statement of Qualifications to the State of California for Affordable Housing Development for Excess Sites
    • Item H. Consideration of a Partnership with Fresno County EOC to Develop a Head Start Facility
      • Approved 11-0
      • The EOC and Fresno Housing are in preliminary discussions to potentially develop the North West portion of the Esperanza Commons housing development for farmworkers in Mendota into a youth center run and operated by EOC. 
      • They currently operate a Head Start program at the Esperanza Commons community room. 
  • Comments from the staff and public
    • Staff expresses the upset that they have been feeling after being notified about poor customer service claims
  • The Board of Commissioners adjourned the meeting at 5:20 p.m. The next Joint Board meeting will be on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at 5 p.m. in-person and 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.

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