Documented by Kendra Staub
Here’s what you need to know:
- Community members, including Boy Scout leaders and parents, are concerned about the lack of river accessibility.
- Approved funding to the Department of General Services for assessments on the Lanes and Circle V properties.
Follow-up questions:
- What steps will the board take to expand river access points for the community?
Agenda: https://sjrc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023-September-SJRC-Agenda.pdf
Actions/Discussions/Public Comment
A. Call to order and Pledge of Allegiance
The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m.
B. Roll Call
Mike Karbassi, chair, Fresno council member
Bobby Macaulay, vice chair, Madera County supervisor
Anita Evans, Madera council member
Carl Janzen, director, Madera Irrigation District
Julie Vance, regional manager, Department of Fish and Wildlife
Kent Gresham, sector superintendent, Department of Parks & Recreation
Rebecca Fris, acting director, Wildlife Conservation Board
Katherine Toy, deputy assistant secretary, Natural Resources Agency
Jennifer Lucchesi, executive officer, State Lands Commission
Matt Almy, program budget manager, Department of Finance
Bryn Forhan, citizen representative, city of Fresno
Daniel O’Connell, city representative, Fresno County
Jose Eduardo Chavez, citizen representative, Madera County
Steve Brandau, Fresno County supervisor, absent
C. Potential Conflicts of Interest: Any board member who has a potential conflict of interest may identify the item and recuse themselves from discussion and voting on the matter).
- No conflicts of interest reported
D. Public Comment and Business from the Floor: Ten minutes of the meeting are reserved for members of the public who wish to address the board on items of interest that are not on the agenda and are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Conservancy. Speakers shall be limited to three minutes. The Board is prohibited by law from taking any action on matters discussed that are not on the agenda; no adverse conclusions should be drawn if the board does not respond to the public comment at this time.
- Public comment (in person): Boy Scout troop leader who conducts projects along the San Joaquin River and would like to continue that work.
- Would like to know if there are updates on the access to certain river areas, which currently shows the need to contact online for use. Would like to work on projects in the area with youth.
- Sheila Hakimpour (online): Speaking on behalf of the River Alive club at Clovis High School, which her daughter is a part of, she said interest in river cleanups and other projects have grown over the years, especially from students, Scout groups, etc. “We’re now facing an access issue. We have graciously been given access to kayaks and canoes but can’t find somewhere to launch them. Maybe we can bring students to present to the board and show what they’ve done and learned,” she said.
E. Consent Calendar: All items listed below were to be approved in one motion unless removed for discussion:
- E-1 Action Item: Approve Funding to the Department of General Services for Assessments on the Lanes and Circle V Properties.
- No public comment
- Approved
F. Regular Session Items: None
G. Administrative and Committee Reports: Information Items. No action of the board is recommended. G-1 Organizations’ Reports: If time allows, the following oral reports will be provided for informational purposes only and may be accompanied by written reports in the board packet. No reports will be presented this month.
H. Closed session: Before convening in closed session, members of the public will be provided the opportunity to comment on Executive Session agenda items.
- Interview Process Title: executive officer
- No public comment
I. Notice of Advisory and Board Committee Meetings, Other Public Meetings Related to Conservancy Matters
J. Date of Next Board Meeting: The next board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Oct. 4, with the location to be determined.
K. Adjourn: Board meeting notices, agendas, staff reports and approved minutes are posted on the Conservancy’s website, www.sjrc.ca.gov. For further information or if you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability, contact Rebecca Raus at Rebecca.Raus@sjrc.ca.gov.
Meeting Adjourned to a closed session at 9:16 a.m.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
