Why it matters?
As the commission nears the culmination of its public hearings on Measure P Dec. 19, they will make final recommendations to the Fresno City Council for how to allocate millions in funds collected through a 3/8-cent sales tax.
Documented by Ramiro Merino
What happened: During the Fresno Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission meeting on Dec. 5, 2022, several questions were raised, revolving around programs that could be funded using Measure P funds:
Commissioner Mona Nyandoro Cummings asked if the city’s warming centers are open when it rains? According to the City of Fresno, the warming centers are only open when the temperature drops below 35 degrees based on the projections by the National Weather Service in Hanford.
A representative from Children’s Musical Theaterworks asked if Measure P Funds could be first allocated to help with the upkeep of the Fresno Veterans Memorial Auditorium and then to support Children’s Musical Theaterworks? Commissioner Sarah Parkes also asked if funds could be dedicated to the Fresno Veterans Memorial Auditorium and Director of Parks Aaron Aguirre said that there are funds dedicated for buildings in the coming year.
Keith Seaman asked if the Dec. 19 meeting is the last day for public comment regarding Measure P Fund allocations? The commission told him yes, that would be the final date to make comments. He also asked if it were true that Measure P funds could only be allocated to nonprofit organizations, but the commission did not answer this question.
Next up: The commission’s next meeting is Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. A presentation on the Cultural Arts Plan will be shared and it will be the final opportunity to make public comment on Measure P fund allocations.