City Council

Agenda

1. The City Council met in regular session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the date and time above written.
2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Public participation during Fresno City Council meetings is always encouraged and can occur by attending a meeting in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall located at 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721. To be called to speak during a meeting, please fill out a speaker card (located throughout the chamber) and place it in the speaker card collection basket at the front of the chamber. You may also approach the speaker podium upon the Council President’s call for any additional public comment. Unless otherwise announced, all public speakers will have up to 3 minutes to address Council pursuant to Rule No. 10 of the Rules of Procedure for the City Council of the City of Fresno (available in the City Clerk’s Office). SUBMIT WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS - Pursuant to Rule 11 (c) of the Rules of Procedure, no documents shall be accepted for Council review unless submitted to the City Clerk at least 24 hours prior to the Council Agenda item being heard. Documents / written comments related to an agenda item can be submitted by one of the following methods:
3. 1) eComment – eComment allows the public to submit agenda related comments through a website prior to the meeting. Submitted comments are limited to 1440 characters and will be a part of the official record.
4. a) Submit an e-Comment by visiting https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and selecting the “eComment” link. b) e-Comment is available for use upon publication of the agenda and closes 24 hours prior to the meeting start time [pursuant to Rule 11(c)]. c) e-Comment is not permitted for Land use or CEQA items. d) The e-Comment Electronic User Agreement can be viewed at: https://www.fresno.gov/cityclerk/#information
5. 2) E-mail – Agenda related documents and comments can be e-mailed to the Office of the City Clerk at least 24 hours prior to the agenda item being heard, pursuant to Rule 11(c).
6. a) E-mail the Clerk’s Office at clerk@fresno.gov b) E-mails should include the agenda date, and the related agenda item number.
7. VIEWING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (non-participatory) - For your convenience, there are several ways to view Fresno City Council meetings live:
8. 1) City of Fresno website: https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx (click “In Progress” to view the live meeting). 2) Community Media Access Collaborative website: https://cmac.tv/gov/ 3) YouTube - City of Fresno Council, Boards and Commissions Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cityoffresnomeetings/streams 4) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FresnoCA/videos 5) Cable Television: Comcast Channel 96 and AT&T Channel 99 6) Zoom: https://fresno.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_7xJBW8h2QuKtZpm1lt1kdQ
9. Should any of the viewing methods above experience technical difficulties, the Council meeting will continue uninterrupted. Meetings will only be paused to address verified technical issues that interrupt public participation during meetings. The City of Fresno’s goal is to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If reasonable ADA accommodations are needed, including sign language interpretation, contact the Office of the City Clerk at (559) 621-7650 or clerk@fresno.gov. Also contact the Office of the City Clerk if spoken language translation is required. Accommodation and language requests should be made a minimum of three business days prior to the scheduled meeting.
10. GOVERNMENT CODE 84308 CONTRIBUTION PROHIBITIONS AND MANDATORY DISCLOSURES - The Political Reform Act of 1974 (Act) restricts campaign contributions over $500 to a decision-making public official from a party or participant, or their agent, in a proceeding involving a license, permit, contract, or entitlement for use. The Act requires disclosure of the contribution and creates a conflict where a decision-maker has received $500 or more from a party or participant to a proceeding in the prior 12 months. A decision-maker must disclose on the record during the proceeding that they have received contributions from a party, participant, or agent of a party or participant, greater than $500 within the preceding 12 months and the name(s) of the contributor(s). (See 2 CCR 18438.8(a).) Parties to a proceeding are required to disclose on the record if they made contributions over $500 to a decision-maker within the prior 12 months, and are prohibited from making contributions to a decision-maker during the proceeding and for 12 months after the date a final decision is rendered on the proceeding.
11. PAGE BREAK
12. 9:10 A.M. ROLL CALL
13. Invocation by Pastor Vickie from Wesley United Methodist Church
14. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
15. 15 APPROVE AGENDA
    Action: APPROVED AS AMENDED Passed

    On motion of Councilmember Maxwell, seconded by Councilmember Richardson, the Agenda was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote:

16. CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS
17. ID 25-820 Fresno Animal Center presents “Pet of the Month”
    Action Item
    Action: PRESENTED
18. ID 25-884 Proclamation for “Wilma Tom Hashimoto”
    Action Item
    Action: PRESENTED
19. ID 25-974 Proclamation for “Project First Step- 20th Anniversary”
    Action Item
    Action: PRESENTED
20. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
21. ID 25-1019 District 2 Photos Presented During Reports and Comments
    Action Item
22. MAYOR/MANAGER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
23. SCHEDULED COUNCIL HEARINGS AND MATTERS
24. 9:10 A.M.
25. ID 25-860 HEARING to Consider Plan Amendment Application No. P20-00213; Rezone Application No. P20-00213; Development Permit Application No. P22-03749; Planned Development Permit Application No. P23-03173; and related Environmental Assessment No. P20-00213/P22-03749/P23-03173 for approximately 3.78 acres of property located on the west side of North Chestnut Avenue, between East Behymer and East International Avenues. (Council District 6) 1. ADOPT - Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for Environmental Assessment No. P20-00213/P22-03749/P23-03173 dated May 16, 2025, for the proposed project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 2. RESOLUTION - Approving Plan Amendment Application No. P20-00213 proposing to amend the Fresno General Plan and Woodward Park Community Plan to change the planned land use designation for the subject property from Employment - Office to Medium High Residential Density. 3. BILL - (for Introduction and Adoption) - Approving Rezone Application No. P20-00213 proposing to rezone the subject property from the O/UGM/cz (Office/Urban Growth Management/conditions of zoning) zone district to the RM-1/UGM/cz (Multi-Family Residential, Medium High Density/Urban Growth Management/conditions of zoning) zone district. 4. APPROVE - Development Permit Application No. P22-03749 proposing to construct a 48-unit private multi-family residential development, subject to the Conditions of Approval. 5. APPROVE - Planned Development Permit Application No. P23-03173 proposing to modify the development standards of the RM-1 (Multi-Family Residential, Medium High Density) zone district to allow for a reduction in the minimum parking setback from back of sidewalk, subject to the Conditions of Approval.
    Action Item
    Action: ADOPTED AS AMENDED Passed

    Councilmember Maxwell motioned to approve the item with an amendment that the screening recommendation from the Planning Commission be included. Councilmember Esparza seconded the motion which was ADOPTED AS AMENDED, by the following vote:

26. 9:15 A.M.
27. ID 25-943 HEARING to consider adoption of a resolution designating a property to the Local Register of Historic Resources. 1. RESOLUTION - Designating the Property Located at 1844 S Cherry Avenue to the Local Register of Historic Resources (Council District 3)
    Action Item
    Action: TABLED
28. 9:20 A.M. #1
29. ID 25-834 Actions pertaining to the acquisition of a permanent easement and right of way upon a parcel to benefit the Traffic Signal Installation at Church Avenue and Walnut Avenue Project (Council District 3): 1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per Environmental Assessment Number PW01051, pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines; 2. HEARING to consider a Resolution of Necessity for acquisition of a permanent easement and right of way for public street purposes upon Assessor’s Parcel Number 477-030-27, owned by Wat Phouthapathane Lao, a California nonprofit corporation, for the construction of the Traffic Signal Installation at Church Avenue and Walnut Avenue Project; 3. ***RESOLUTION - Determining that public interest and necessity require acquisition of a permanent easement and right of way for public street purposes through and across portions of Assessor’s Parcel Number 477-030-27, owned by Wat Phouthapathane Lao, a California nonprofit corporation, for the construction of the Traffic Signal Installation at Church Avenue and Walnut Avenue Project and authorizing eminent domain proceedings for public use and purpose. (Requires 5 affirmative votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
    Action Item
    Action: ADOPTED Passed

    On motion of Councilmember Esparza, seconded by Councilmember Vang, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

30. 9:20 A.M. #2
31. ID 25-952 HEARING to consider Rezone Application No. P24-04357 and related Environmental Assessment No. P24-04357 for property located on the west side of North Grantland Avenue between West Ashlan and West Gettysburg Avenues (Council District 1) 1. ADOPT Environmental Assessment No. P24-04357, dated April 15, 2025, an Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) State Clearinghouse (SCH) No. 2020039061 for the proposed project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and, 2. BILL (for Introduction and Adoption) of Rezone Application No. P24-04357 proposing to amend the Official Zone Map and existing conditions of zoning relative to timing of the construction of traffic signals for the development of ±155 acres of property from the RS-5/UGM/cz (Single-Family Residential, Medium Density/Urban Growth Management/conditions of zoning) zone district to the RS-5/UGM/cz (Single-Family Residential, Medium Density/Urban Growth Management/conditions of zoning) zone district, and ±4.64 acres of property from the CC/UGM/cz (Community Commercial/Urban Growth Management/conditions of zoning) zone district to the CC/UGM/cz (Community Commercial/Urban Growth Management/conditions of zoning) zone district.
    Action Item
    Action: ADOPTED Passed

    On motion of Councilmember Maxwell, seconded by Councilmember Richardson, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

32. 9:25 A.M.
33. ID 25-985 Tax Equity and Financial Responsibility Act (TEFRA) public hearing. TEFRA HEARING - To hear and consider information concerning the proposed issuance of tax-exempt bonds by California Statewide Communities Development Authority for the purpose of financing or refinancing the acquisition, construction, improvement, equipping, renovation, rehabilitation, remodeling and other capital projects of certain health facilities owned or operated by Kaiser Foundation Hospitals or its affiliates and located in the City of Fresno. 1. ***RESOLUTION- Approving a plan of finance of the California Statewide Communities Development Authority to issue and reissue revenue bonds for a qualified health facilities project for the benefit of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals or its affiliates, and certain other matters relating thereto. (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
    Action Item
    Action: ADOPTED Passed

    On motion of Councilmember Richardson, seconded by Council President Karbassi, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:

34. 10:00 A.M.
35. ID 25-938 Appearance by Kamryn Rodriguez regarding “Immigration within Fresno” (District 6 Resident)
    Action Item
    Action: PRESENTED
36. 10:03 A.M.
37. ID 25-962 Appearance by Stephen Dufur regarding “Tenant Rights Violation” (District 4 Resident)
    Action Item
    Action: PRESENTED
38. 10:06 A.M.
39. ID 25-971 Appearance by Christine Thornton regarding “Animal Crisis in Fresno County” (District 2 Resident)
    Action Item
    Action: TABLED
40. 10:09 A.M.
41. ID 25-982 Appearance by Darius Assemi regarding “The Occupancies at Parc West” (District 2 Resident)
    Action Item
    Action: PRESENTED
42. CONSENT CALENDAR
43. 43 APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDAR
    Action: APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR Passed

    On motion of Councilmember Richardson, seconded by Councilmember Maxwell, the CONSENT CALENDAR was hereby adopted by the following vote:

44. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the August 14, 2025, regular meeting.