Documented by Artemes Gidram

At their Jan. 25 meeting, the Fresno Council of Governments Policy Board discussed its priorities for the upcoming One Voice advocacy trip. Photo credit: Artemes Gidram

Here’s what you need to know

  • Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck have chosen not to go on the Council of Governments’ One Voice trip to D.C.
  • The policy board has created a Safe Routes to School subcommittee.
  • Huron is part of a light rail being built in the Central Valley that will connect with the future light-speed rail.

Follow-up questions

  • Will Dyer continue to prioritize his interests over the shared interests of the entire county as mayor of Fresno?
  • What funding could result from the One Voice trip to Washington, D.C.?

Notes

The scene

The Fresno Council of Governments meeting took place on Jan. 25, 2024, at 5:32 p.m.

The meeting was held in person at the Sequoia Conference Room in the Fresno Council of Governments building located at 2035 Tulare St., Suite 201. The agenda can be found online at the Fresno Council of Governments website.

Officials present:

Alma Beltran, chair and mayor of Parlier

Scott Robertson, policy board member and mayor of Selma

Robert Phipps, interim executive director

Lynne Ashbeck, policy board member and mayor of Clovis

James Horn, policy board member and mayor of Coalinga

Elsa Lopez, policy board member and mayor of Firebaugh

Daniel Parra, policy board member and mayor of Fowler

Jerry Dyer, policy board member and mayor of Fresno

Mike Karbassi, policy board alternate and council member of Fresno

Rey Leon, policy board member and mayor of Huron

Maria Pacheco, policy board member and mayor of Kerman

Brandon Pursell, policy board member and mayor of Kingsburg

Victor Martinez, policy board member and mayor of Mendota

Diana Guerra-Silva, policy board member and mayor of Orange Cove

Mary Fast, policy board member and council member of  Reedley

Julia Hernandez, policy board member and mayor of San Joaquin

Frank Gonzalez, policy board member and mayor of Sanger

  • The Fresno County Rural Transit Agency meeting started at 5:32 p.m.
  • Beltran took roll call, and a representative for Fresno County was missing.
  • Consent calendar
    • Fast requested that item E be pulled for discussion.
    • Item E, State and Federal Transportation Grants – notices of funding opportunities
      • Fast said she wanted to know what the plan was in Mendota at the airport and how transportation would fit in.
        • Phipps explained that the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA) is in the process of developing microgrid resiliency hubs starting in Selma. They have been studying 13 incorporated cities and 39 unincorporated communities so these hubs can be developed. Phipps said that, for the most part, these hubs would be 98%-99% sustainable. Suitable properties are hard to come by, and the city of Mendota has vacated its airport property. This is an opportunity to use that open land for sustainable grids.
      • Vote
        • The motion by Mendota to approve the consent calendar passed unanimously.
    • Items from staff
      • John Jansen, city manager, Kerman
        • Jansen is the new chairman of the policy advisory committee.
        • Jansen will be serving alongside Elizabeth Nunez of San Joaquin. Jansen announced that thanks to the help of the council there has been an implementation of a social service shuttle bus from Kerman to Fresno City College. The funding is leveraged from the local transportation funding and Fresno City College is matching 55% of the funds.
    • The Fresno County Rural Transit Agency meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m.
  • The Fresno Council of Governments meeting started at 5:32 p.m.
  • Beltran took roll call and a representative for Fresno County was missing.
  • Consent calendar
    • No items were pulled.
    • Vote
      • A  motion by Mendota passed unanimously.
  • Transportation action/discussion Items
    • 2023-24 Surface Transportation Block Grant Program Regional Bid Project Funding Recommendations, Robert Phipps
      • Last year the Council of Governments issued a call for projects for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG).
      • The scoring committee convened on Dec. 5, 2023. The committee had representatives from Clovis, county, east side, west side, Caltrans, Fresno Council of Governments and transit.
      • With $33.4 million available, they received requests for 41 applications totaling more than $61 million.
      • Staff gave the council a packet with the chosen projects and recommended approving them.
      • Vote
        • The motion by Kerman passed unanimously.
    • Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Funding Recommendations, Juan Ramirez
      • On Dec. 6 the scoring committee made up of eight representatives from various agencies convened.
      • The committee prioritized projects for the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Project.
      • From the call for projects, they received 36 applications totaling $56,027,809 requested from a total of $30,014,382 in funds.
      • Of the 36 applications, 20 projects were chosen.
      • The staff recommendation is to approve the scoring committee’s recommendations.
      • Vote
        • A  motion by San Joaquin passed unanimously.
    • Carbon Reduction Program Funding Recommendations, Juan Ramirez
      • On Dec. 7 representatives from various agencies evaluated and scored projects for funding the newly established Carbon Reduction Program under the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
      • The committee received 10 applications for a total request of $4,414,296 and eight of those received funding totaling $3,268,211.
      • The staff recommendation is that the policy board approve the scoring committee’s project recommendations for the 2023-24 Carbon Reduction Program (CRP)
      • Vote
        • The  motion passed unanimously.
    • Safe Routes to Schools Subcommittee, Jennifer Rodriguez
      • In August, Fresno Council of Governments staff began working with urban and rural school districts to initiate a regional plan process to identify an inventory of Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) needs in Fresno County.
      • The goal is to create planning processes by developing a Safe Routes to School inventory that will be included in the Fresno Council of Governments’ Regional Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
      • Staff began reaching out to districts via emails, letters and phone calls.
      • The staff has met with 26 of 32 school districts in the county. Out of those, 16 have submitted an inventory of needs.
      • Voters who were opposed to Measure C felt that Measure C had not adequately supported safe routes to schools within the region.
      • The staff recommendation is that the policy board appoint a Safe Routes to Schools subcommittee initially composed of policy board members.
      • Discussion
        • Ashbeck requested to be the chair of the subcommittee.
        • It was asked if the meetings could be over Zoom. Phipps clarified that the meetings had to be open to the public and non-remote with a 72-hour notice of where they meet. Further requirements are that up to eight members can be on the subcommittee but it cannot reach a level that would create a quorum.
        • The tentative meeting time is 5 p.m.
        • The volunteers on the committee will be Ashbeck as chair, Leon as vice chair and members Pursell, Robertson, Horn, Martinez and Beltran.
      • Vote
        • A motion by Huron passed unanimously.
    • Measure C Regional Transportation Program update for fiscal year 2023-24, Les Beshears, finance director of the council
      • The Measure C Regional Transportation Program includes voter-approved major highway infrastructure projects from 2007.
      • Total anticipated revenues across all sources increased $271 million to $1.5 billion from the 2020 adopted plan.
      • The actual project costs and internal borrowing costs increased by $151 million to $1.66 billion.
      • Revenues
        • Sales tax expectations for 2023 were adjusted upward to 10.2% to reflect the effects of current inflation. Raised sales tax projections to $57 million to $614,816,000.
        • The regional component of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds dedicated to the south Fresno interchanges of North and Cedar avenues and American Avenue increased by $54,353,000.
        • The state component of the STIP, the Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP) increased by $31 million.
        • The Local Partnership Program (LPP) increased by $7.2 million for the Golden State Corridor Project.
        • The High-Speed Rail Authority completed the $61.3 million Herndon Avenue project in Fresno.
        • Local contributions increased $26.6 million on the Herndon Avenue undercrossing at State Route 99.
          • Beshears stated that he does not believe this project will continue.
        • Interest earnings increased by $9.25 million. 
      • Urban program
        • The program has an estimated $876.4 million in revenues, $845.1 million in expenses, and a net surplus of $31.2 million to provide a contingency for $222.8 million in projects that are expected to be bid in the next four years.
        • The net project cost increased by $47.1 million. Primarily for the North Cedar Avenue Interchange ($25.4 million), California Avenue — Fruit to Ventura ($13.7 million), Peach Avenue – Church to Jensen ($4.2 million), and Peach Avenue – State Route 180 to McKinley ($5.7 million).
        • The North Cedar Avenue interchange is programmed for $45.3 in STIP funding. Caltrans proposes to begin right of way acquisition shortly. The project is proposed for construction in 2025-26.
        • The California Avenue project is proposed for construction in 2024-25.
        • The Peach projects are scheduled in 2024-25 and 2025-26.
      • Rural programs
        • The rural program has an estimated $628.9 million in revenues, $818.2 million in expenses and a net deficit of $489.2 million associated with the State Route 180 to I-5 connection.
        • Net project costs increased by $103.9 million.
          • Golden State Avenue by $16.6 million.
          • State Route 99 and American Avenue interchange by $14 million.
          • State Route Elkhorn to Excelsior Avenue by $70.8 million.
        • The first phase of Golden State is under construction. Discussion continues on the best way to deliver phase 2 in light of significant cost increases proposed by Union Pacific Railroad.
        • The American Avenue phase of the south Fresno interchanges was approved for $42.3 million in 2024 STIP funding. Construction is proposed in 2024-25 along with the North-Cedar interchange.
        • Caltrans is completing preliminary studies to explore improvements along the State Route 180 West connection to Highway I-5 with the intent of developing  improvements that could be financed during the life of the measure that could extend into a proposed third measure.
      • The staff recommendation is that the policy board adopt Resolution 2024-05 updating the Measure C Regional Transportation Plan. The updated plan will be forwarded to the Fresno County Transportation Authority for consideration.
      • Discussion
        • Lopez
          • Lopez asked if there could be an extension of the 180 from Kerman to Mendota and Firebaugh.
            • Beshears responded that this could be part of the discussion going forward as well as seeing if other alternatives can work with the area better.
        • Karbassi
          • Karbassi brought up the mention of the Herndon undercrossing and wished to clarify that Beshears stated this project would be discontinued. Beshears clarified that the city would not move forward with that project and Karbassi stated that this was the first time he had heard of it and that it was in his district. Karbassi said that the last time he checked with the Public Works Department the project was still moving forward, and wanted to know when Beshears was told that it wouldn’t. Beshear further clarified that it is still in planning but isn’t being funded by Measure C funding anymore.
        • Martinez
          • Martinez said he wants to be able to identify ways to improve traffic conditions to improve safety for the communities. Stating that six to eight people die every year on the connection from Firebaugh and Mendota and that it is not safe.
        • Vote
          • The motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously.
    • Caltrans Report
      • April 19-22 Caltrans is having Clean California Community Days. More information on how to register will be coming in the future.
      • Clean California will be gone at the end of this fiscal year, June 2024, as funding is ending. Staff are being transitioned into permanent maintenance positions with Caltrans.
      • Clean California is still going forward with their roundabout beautification program.
      • The Mendota-Firebaugh beautification project should be starting sometime this January.
      • The Fresno County Public Space Project will be kicking off in the spring.
  • Administrative consent items
    • Vote
      • A  motion by Clovis passed unanimously.
  • Administrative action/discussion items
    • One Voice Washington, D.C. priorities, Brenda Thomas
      • The Fresno One Voice trip involves leaders from all over the county going to Washington, D.C. to advocate for regional priorities and funding.
      • The One Voice trip hasn’t been taken in five years because of the pandemic.
      • 2009-2019 averaged about 12.5 priorities per trip.
      • The trip is scheduled for March 17-21.
      • The staff recommendation is for the policy board to approve the 2024 One Voice regional priority list provided to them.
      • Discussion
        • Leon
          • Leon favors funding for a light rail in Huron to be added to the priorities list. Huron is the only city in Fresno County that is planned to be a part of the Cross Valley Corridor light rail system in the Central Valley. Leon said it is important to fund this project.
        • Dyer
          • Dyer wished to pull the Shaw Avenue-State 99 Freeway Interchange Improvement Project from the priorities list.
        • Ashbeck
          • Ashbeck said she felt that many of the projects were not of regional interest, and began a discussion on canceling the One Voice trip. Ashbeck said Clovis was not getting enough out of a joint trip to Washington, D.C. After requesting that the Clovis priorities be removed from the list, she said she only wanted to meet with former Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s replacement,  who would not be seated until later this year.
            • Phipps stated that there would be a significant cost to cancel the trip. Not only had individuals already begun planning and paying for their trip but there was a large fee associated with canceling the block of hotel rooms the Council of Governments already reserved. The contract for the hotels would require an 85% payout for four nights on 15 rooms if the reservation was canceled. Many of the priorities are also time-sensitive and cannot wait for a later date.
            • Beltran echoed the concern about costs, as well as the costs already paid by individuals. She also reminded the policy board that the intention behind One Voice was to represent Fresno County as a whole so that everyone could support each other. The trip is not to help any one city or region, she said.
            • Dyer said he had been to Washington recently, and didn’t feel he had reason to go. He said he believed the trip would only help the interests of rural communities. Dyer stated that the Council of Governments should demand that they not pay the penalty fees, and to tell the hotel that they will never do business with them again if they do not comply.
            • Discussion led to a motion to send a smaller group so those who didn’t want to go didn’t have to.
            • Vote
              • The motion passed,with Reedley voting no.
      • Final priorities list
        • State Route 168 Enterprise Canal Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge
        • Fresno Yosemite International Airport New Air Traffic Control Tower Facility Project
        • Fresno Yosemite International Airport New Air Traffic Control Reconstruction Project
        • Huron Cross Valley Corridor Project
        • Millerton Road widening and safety improvements
        • Business-friendly administrative relief by the U.S Department of Labor
        • High-speed rail for Fresno County
        • RAISE Grant Application – South Fresno State Route 99 Corridor Project
        • House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development bill
        • City of Parlier Rails to Trails
      • Vote on original action Item
        • The motion by Mendota passed unanimously.

Conversation highlight

  • “I understand that you know, Fresno and Clovis need to be there because they’re the ones that have the major projects, but that should have been something that we discussed before. Because, you know, all the other cities need to work on their projects, too. I don’t have a major project but Rey has a major project that he wants to work on and there’s other cities that are working on some stuff, too,” said Alma Beltran, chair, policy board member and mayor of Selma concerning Ashbeck and Dyer’s desire to postpone the One Voice trip.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.

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