Overview:
Fresno is expected to finalize a utility rate hike on Thursday. Other issues of note include the appointment of new and returning city commissioners and the approval of a few developments.
The items listed are on the consent agenda, meaning the council isn’t likely to discuss the issues before voting on them in a single motion. However, the public can still speak out on the issues during Thursday’s meeting.
The Fresno City Council is expected to finalize and adopt the five-year solid waste rate increase this Thursday. The resolution follows the failed protest attempt during last week’s council meeting.
The five-year rate increase on solid waste would be the utility’s first increase since 2009.
The city is also expected to finalize and introduce a new credit plan to help qualifying low-income residents who may be most vulnerable to the increased fees. The plan will be modeled after the city’s Water Affordability Credit Program.
Remote participation coming to an end?
The Fresno City Council could also approve a resolution ending remote participation in their meetings, which up until this point has been offered through Zoom. The resolution recommends the city provide free parking to an unspecified area surrounding City Hall on meeting days.
The resolution follows a rule change made during last week’s meeting regarding the procedures for audience members who bring signs into the council chambers.
The resolution is expected to undo key parts of a 2021 resolution that aimed to keep remote participation a council standard and was approved unanimously by councilmembers Miguel Arias, Garry Bredefeld, Nelson Esparza, Mike Karbassi, Tyler Maxwell, Luis Chavez and then-councilman Esmeralda Soria — whose district is now represented by council president Annalisa Perea.
“”…the Council desires to extend this option permanently, as it invites a greater degree of public participation because members of the public are able to join teleconference meetings from their home, work, or any location with an internet connection or telephone service to provide public comment to their elected officials,” the 2021 resolution reads.
The city has received public comment on this resolution.
Similarly, Clovis Unified School District also ended their remote participation in 2021.
Planning Commission adds another realtor
The Fresno City Council is expected to approve several new and returning appointments to the city’s commissions.
Among the new appointments is local realtor Shergill Gurdeep to the planning commission.
The decision to appoint members of the real estate and realtor community to the city’s planning commission — who hold a great deal of power in the city’s land use and planning goals — has drawn criticism in the past.
Jacqueline Gutierrez Lyday was controversially appointed in 2023. City councilmember Miguel Arias questioned whether Lyday–a real estate agent–would remain objective on real estate and land use issues.
Another controversial appointment was that of Brad Hardie, president of Regency Property Management and RH Community Builders. Hardie, however, was not reappointed in 2022.
$20 million in federal funds for a senior center
The Fresno City Council is expected to accept $20 million in federal funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development toward the construction of a new senior activity center.
The development is expected in central Fresno, on 4343 N. Blackstone Ave.
The center will be the first dedicated city-wide senior center, according to the development’s page on the city website, and has been taking community input since last year on what services to include.
The center is expected to be 30,000 square feet, with an affordable housing development near the center to house senior citizens on fixed incomes.
The city has been planning to begin building the center this year, with a construction agreement tentatively scheduled to come before council this November.
$800,000 toward affordable housing
The Fresno City Council is expected to approve the allocation of $800,00 with the Central California Land Trust toward acquiring two single-family homes to sell and preserve them as affordable housing.
The plan has been in the works since 2021. Documents show the project is scheduled to be finished by the end of the year.
Over 20 new tiny homes expected soon
The Fresno City Council is expected to approve an ARPA agreement with Lowell Community Development to provide 24 tiny homes to qualifying low-income Fresnans.
The tiny homes are expected to be built by Fresno City College and will be available to residents making 60% or below the Area Median Income rate. Project documents say that the homes are expected to house “up to two people and prospective tenants would include senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, youth exiting foster care, and other individuals at risk of homelessness.”
Know and Go
All of the listed items are currently on the consent agenda, which means there is no guarantee the council will discuss these issues during their meeting this Thursday. However, audience members are allowed to speak on all items on the agenda during the public comment period.
Those who want to participate and watch the meeting can attend in person at the council chambers at 9 a.m. Thursday (June 27), or join through the city’s Zoom link — in what may be the last time to do so.
The at-home audience can also watch through livestreams on the city’s YouTube account and CMAC, though public comments are not taken through these channels.
