Fresno Council of Governments Policy Board Feb. 29 meeting

Documented by Artemes Gidram

Here’s what you need to know

• Fresno Council of Governments is seeking a new executive director.
• The Council of Governments has created a subcommittee to determine which consultant to hire in their search for a new executive director.
• The council is at odds with the requirements of Senate Bill 743, which requires that level-of-service, used in measuring transportation impacts in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), be replaced with vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

Follow-up questions

• What, if any, are the next steps toward working through the council’s problems with Senate Bill 743?
• When will a new executive director be hired?

Notes

The scene

The Fresno Council of Governments meeting took place on Feb. 29, 2024, at 5:37 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

Mike Karbassi, policy board alternate and council member of Fresno

Rey Leon, policy board member and mayor of Huron

Brandon Pursell, policy board member and mayor of Kingsburg

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

• Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA)
  • Meeting began at 5:37 p.m.
  • Public presentation
    • There were no public presentations.
  • Consent calendar
    • Item B was pulled by Leon.
    • Item B Electric Vehicle Charging Master Plan and Energy Management System Plan (informational)
      • Janelle Del Campo, operations manager, Council of Governments
        • FCRTA was awarded $199,500 through the Caltrans Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning Grant Program to conduct an electric vehicle-charging master plan and energy management system plan. The charging plan will evaluate the locations where charging equipment is needed, the types of equipment, the cost of the equipment, electrical grid capacity, and integration with future microgrids.
        • This analysis will help further decision-making by the FCRTA to determine best practices such as whether these charging stations should be available for public use and what the capacity for each area is.
    • Vote
      • Motion by Leon to approve consent calendar
      • Motion carried unanimously
  • The meeting for the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
• Fresno County Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee Agency (RTMFA) meeting c began at 5:44 p.m.
  • Elections of new chair and vice chair
    • The new term will be from February 2024 to March 2025.
    • Leon nominated the current chair, Cardenas, and vice chair, Roman, to continue their positions.
    • Vote
      • Motion by Leon
      • There was a roll call vote in which everyone present voted in favor.
  • Executive minutes
    • Vote
      • Motion by Karbassi
      • Motion carried unanimously
  • Regiounsportation mitigation update
    • Les Beshears, finance director, Council of Governments
      • The financial report for the fiscal year ending June 2023 has been submitted and can be found online.
      • The Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee Agency has $1.1 million in the bank.
      • A $25 transaction fee to pay for administrative costs and has accumulated $37,453.
      • The recommendation is to receive and file the full statements.
      • Vote
        • Motion by Horn
        • Motion carried unanimously
  • The Fresno County Regional Transportation Mitigation Fee Agency meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
• The Fresno County Council of Governments meeting started at 5:55 p.m.
  • Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee appointment
    • Jake Martinez, Citizens Oversight Staff Lead, Council of Governments
      • Martinez recommends the board approve Donna Silva to represent the unincorporated area east of California State Route 99.
      • Martinez also recommends either Rickie Dhillion or David Martin for any supervisorial district.
      • The oversight committee is made up of 13 members, six members at large, and seven members representing community organizations.
      • There are two open spots for community organization positions and three public at-large positions.
    • Ashbeck, stating it was rare that anyone wants to have this position, asked if there was any way that both Dhillon and Martin could be appointed.
      • Bryan Rome, deputy county council, stated that appointing the individuals in a way that is outside of the agenda would be inappropriate for the council to do. Rome recommends the board direct staff to come back at a later date with a new appointment.
      • Karbassi stated that if staff were to come back for a later appointment then he would prefer delaying both the appointments and doing them together.
    • Vote
      • Motion to approve Donna Silva by Horn
        • Motion carried unanimously
      • Motion to table the appointment of Dhillon and Martin by Parra
        • Motion carried unanimously
  • Transportation consent items
    • Staff pulled item I and Fast pulled item B.
    • Vote
      • Motion to pass consent except for items I and B by Ashbeck
      • Motion carried unanimously
    • Item B, Second Quarter Work Element Report Fiscal Year 2024
      • Fast said she pulled the wrong item.
      • Vote
        • Motion by Ashbeck
        • Motion carried unanimously
    • Item I, reappointment to the Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee
      • On the agenda, the staff is recommending the appointment of Matthew Gillian to Fresno Council of Government’s Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee.
      • Staff pulled the item to recommend it be tabled, as Gillian is a current candidate for political office, which could conflict with his ability to serve if elected. Staff recommends tabling until after the election in April.
      • Vote
        • Motion to table by Ashbeck
        • Motion carried unanimously
  • Transportation action/discussion items
    • Fresno County Regional Active Transportation Plan update, Simran Jhutti, senior regional planner, Council of Governments
      • Active transportation plan
        • An active transportation plan is a vision and plan for walking and biking
        • A summary of existing conditions and community characteristics
        • Proposed improvements for walking and biking
        • Supporting information that meets requirements of funding programs.
      • Updating
        • The last plan was created in 2017.
        • Community conditions and needs have evolved.
        • Updating will help meet the latest funding requirements.
      • Jurisdictions
        • All cities except Fresno, Clovis, Reedley and Selma.
        • Fresno County unincorporated communities.
        • Fresno County regional connections.
      • Plan development
        • Collected community data including local destinations and disadvantaged communities.
        • Gathered data on the current conditions for walking and biking including safety.
        • Solicited input from city and county staff.
        • Received input from the public both in person and online.
        • Developed recommendations.
        • Drafted a plan.
      • Public input
        • Attended street fairs and farmers markets in each city. 
        • Talking to people in Spanish and English.
        • Hosted an online crowdsourced interactive map in both languages.
        • Hosted a project website in both languages.
        • Met with representatives of local advocacy groups.
        • Received feedback on recommended improvements at two Zoom meetings and in another online map.
      • Walking and biking recommendations
        • Locations to fill sidewalk gaps.
        • Pedestrian crossing improvements.
        • Network of shared-use paths and bikeways.
        • Locations for bike parking.
      • Next steps
        • Feb. 8 – March 20
          • Post plan for public comment.
        • Feb. 29
          • Fresno Council of Governments board presentation
        • March 11 – March 28
          • Incorporate any plan changes.
        • March 22 – April 22
          • California Environmental Quality Act document circulation
          • May
            • Transportation Technical Committee/Policy Advisory Committee (TTC/PAC) presentation
            • Fresno County of Governments policy board approval
            • City Council and Board of Supervisors approvals
    • Fresno County Climate Action Plan Approval (PCAP), Simran Jhutti
      •  Fresno Council of Governments developed a Priority Climate Action Plan, which is the first component of the Regional Climate Action Plan required under the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant. The PCAP includes: a regional greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, a public outreach process, priority GHG emissions-reduction measure identification and quantification, a benefit analysis for low-income and disadvantaged communities and identifies implementing authorities.
      • Timeline
        • October 2023
          • Project kick-off
          • First Stakeholder Steering Committee meeting 
          • Public outreach
          • Greenhouse gas inventory
        • November 2023
          • Public outreach
          • Greenhouse gas outreach
          • Greenhouse gas priority measure selection
          • Benefit analysis for low-income and disadvantaged communities
        • December 2023
          • Public outreach
          • Greenhouse gas priority measure selection
          • Benefit analysis for low-income and disadvantaged communities
        • January 2024
          • Second Stakeholder steering committee meeting 
          • Public outreach
          • February 2024
            • Plan presentation to transportation technical committee and policy advisory
            • Fresno Council of Governments policy board approval
          • March 2024
            • Plan submitted to US Environmental Protection Agency
      • Deliverables of the Priority Climate Action Plan
        • Inventory of greenhouse gas emission sectors
        • Greenhouse gas priority measure selection/quantification
        • Preliminary analysis of benefits for low-income/disadvantaged communities anticipated to result from greenhouse gas reduction measure(s)
      • Overview of greenhouse gas emissions inventory
        • 44% transportation
        • 19% agriculture
        • 17% residential and Commercial Buildings
        • 13% industry
        • 4% waste management
        • 3% other
      • Stakeholder Steering Committee
        • Membership
          • 16 local governments
          • Disadvantaged communities represented
          • Transit
          • The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District
          • Industry representatives
        • Role
          • Provide input and guidance to approve recommendations
          • Considering, sharing insight from external stakeholders and connecting staff with tribes, community groups, additional industry stakeholders and the general public
          • Attending meetings with coinciding with project milestones
      • Community input on priority measures
        • Online and hard-copy surveys
        • Community partner and stakeholder meetings and resources
        • Social media posts and advertisements (Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram and LinkedIn)
        • Three  in-person and two virtual meetings
      • Priority measures selection process requirements
        • Near-term
        • Implementation ready
        • Cost feasible
        • Considerable greenhouse gas reduction
    • 2024-25 Overall Work Program and budget
      • Robert Phipps
        • The fiscal year 2024-25 Overall Work Program (OWP), totaling $45.2 million is submitted for board and public review. A summary memorandum is attached to this annotated report. In short, the proposed budget decreased $12.6 million from last year. Operational revenues remain intact and reserves are adequate
        • Staff recommends the policy board release Fresno Council of Governments’ draft 2024-25 Overall Work Program and budget for public review, with final approval scheduled for the April board meeting.
      • Vote
        • Motion for staff recommendation by Leon
        • Motion carried unanimously
    • Regional Vehicles Miles Traveled Mitigation Program
      • Paul Herman, principal regional planner, Council of Governments
        • Senate Bill 743 requires that level-of-service, used in measuring transportation impacts in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), be replaced with vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
        • Projects with significant VMT impacts can’t move forward due to a lack of defined, quantifiable and feasible mitigation measures.
        • A study conducted determined that a fee-based VMT is a feasible option for the Fresno Council of Governments region.
        • Implementing a fee-based VMT-mitigation program adds a new fee that may further increase the cost of housing and other development, as well as increase the cost of any capacity-enhancing projects.
        • Leon
          • Leon asked if providing a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane would help bring the VMT down as it would encourage more people to carpool.
            • Herman clarified that it was a possibility but only by turning an existing lane on the freeway into an HOV lane. Adding an extra lane would only provide room for more vehicles on the road.
          • Karbassi
            • Karbassi asked if the increase in electric vehicles would bring down the VMT requirements.
              • It was clarified that it wouldn’t, as the total vehicle miles traveled covers more than greenhouse gases, such as the impact driving has on roads.
            • Karbassi showed his displeasure with Senate Bill 743, stating that a clinic in Pinedale has been labeled as having a high impact on VMT with no mechanism for creating a special exemption.
            • “SB 743 has been a disaster. If it hasn’t hit your communities, it’s going to. It’s the worst thing at the worst time. It’s going to drastically raise the price of housing. What can we do to legally push back?” stated Karbassi
          • Ashbeck
            • Ashbeck made a point that many of the VMT counting against Fresno County was from commuters who come in from other counties such as Kings and Tulare. Ashbeck asked if there is a solution to this, as she feels it is like “chasing windmills” to try to reduce the mileage of cars on a county-by-county basis. She suggested the possibility of creating a larger body made up of the surrounding Council of Governments.
    • Caltrans report
      • Michael Navarro, deputy district director, Caltrans
        • Work on California State Route 99 between Selma to Fowler is ongoing.
        • In late March the agency will be closing the offramp to State Route 33.
        • State Route 41 Expressway design should be complete by June, and the project will be awarded by the end of this calendar year. This will add an additional two lanes.
        • A State Route 33 project is expected to be designed by summer.
        • Bids will go out on a roundabout in Mendota in the summer.
        • A roundabout on State Route 180 at Dickenson should be fully designed by spring and go into construction in the fall.
  • Administrative consent calendar
    • Fast pulled item A from the consent calendar and Horn pulled item D.
    • Vote
      • Motion to pass consent calendar except items A and D by Ashbeck, second by Karbassi
      • Motion carried unanimously
    • Item A, staff hourly rate adjustment for modeling services
      • Fast asked if there is staff to meet the demand by raising their hourly wage.
        • Santosh Bhattarai, senior regional planner, Council of Governments explained that this was to make them more competitive in the market. The new wages are in the middle of where they were, and the cost of outsourced consultants wages. Previously, because of the cost gap, people were hesitant to go to the consultants and waited for the more affordable staff. The hope is that more people will use the consultants when the staff aren’t capable of providing their services.
    • Item D, contract with Sebastian for Sequoia Room audio-visual equipment upgrade
      • Horn stated that he had previously requested an email including the estimate of costs for the new equipment. Horn stated he received an email but the cost he was aware of was lower than what was listed on the agenda. Horn wanted to know why there was a price discrepancy.
        • It was stated that there should have been three price estimates in the email received by Horn. The cost on the agenda was for the mid-range estimate.
    • Vote
      • Motion to pass Items A and D by Leon
      • Motion carried unanimously
  • Administrative actions
    • Executive director search firm proposals
      • Brenda Thomas
        • At the Policy Board’s direction, staff released a request for proposals (RFP) seeking professional executive search services firms to conduct nationwide recruitment for the Fresno Council of Governments executive director’s position. Staff received seven proposals by the Feb. 1 deadline.
      • Ashbeck
        • Ashbeck suggested that seven candidates were a lot for the board to sit through during the meeting. Ashbeck’s suggestion was to create a subcommittee to review the candidates and bring their findings back to the larger board at a later meeting.
      • Horn, Robertson, Fast, Ashbeck and Hernandez volunteered to be on the subcommittee.
      • Vote
        • Motion to create a subcommittee by Leon
        • Motion carried unanimously
• Meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Actions/discussions/public comment

• Public Comment
  • Yurubi Ramirez, director of corporate relations, Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation
    • Ramirez announced a program that will be launched in partnership with Fresno County.
    • Through the Fresno County Mobile Food Vendor Program they will provide grants of up to $4,000 to mobile food vendors.
    • They will also provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with areas of banking, marketing and financial management. 

Conversation highlight

• “What can we do to legally push back? Because I don’t want to take it, how else do I put it eloquently…I want to fight back. What options do we have?,” said Mike Karbassi, Fresno City Council member, about Senate Bill 743.

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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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