City Council
TL;DR
The Fresno City Council held its regular meeting, focusing on financial administration, housing performance reporting, and considering a Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Program. Several ceremonial presentations were made, including recognizing local cultural heritage and community leaders.
Key Decisions
- Authorize City Finance Officers to Manage Funds Passed
- Approve Annual Housing Performance Report (CAPER) Passed
- Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Program Continued to October 16, 2025
- North-Cherry Annexation and Development Project Tabled
Agenda
- The City Council met in regular session in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on the date and time above written.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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
- 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).
- 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.
- VIEWING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (non-participatory) - For your convenience, there are several ways to view Fresno City Council meetings live:
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- PAGE BREAK
- 9:15 A.M. ROLL CALL
- Invocation by Pastor Monsignor Robert D. Wenzinger from Saint Anthony of Padua - Fresno
- Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
- 15 APPROVE AGENDAAction: APPROVED AS AMENDED Passed
On motion of Vice President Arias, seconded by Councilmember Maxwell, the AGENDA was APPROVED AS AMENDED. The motion carried by the following vote:
- CEREMONIAL PRESENTATIONS
- Morning Ceremonials
- ID 25-816 Fresno Animal Center presents “Pet of the Month”Action ItemAction: PRESENTED
- ID 25-1006 Proclamation of “Ronny Jungk Day”Action ItemAction: PRESENTED
- ID 25-1164 Proclamation of “Khalsa Mental Health and Cultural Center”Action ItemAction: PRESENTED
- ID 25-1165 Proclamation of “Oaxaqueño Heritage Month”Action ItemAction: PRESENTED
- Afternoon Ceremonials
- ID 25-1262 Proclamation of “Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor”Action ItemAction: PRESENTED
- COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
- MAYOR/MANAGER REPORTS AND COMMENTS
- SCHEDULED COUNCIL HEARINGS AND MATTERS
- PAGE BREAK
- 9:05 A.M. JOINT MEETING WITH THE FRESNO JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY (JPFA). MEMBERS OF JPFA BOARD: MAYOR JERRY DYER, COUNCIL PRESIDENT MIKE KARBASSI, AND COUNCILMEMBER NELSON ESPARZA
- JPFA ACTION
- A. HEARING designating and authorizing certain Finance Officers of the City of Fresno (City) to sign various investment and commercial banking documents, and to provide verbal instruction required for prudent financial administration and safekeeping of Fresno Joint Powers Finance Authority (JPFA) funds and property.Action ItemAction: ADOPTED
- B. HEARING consenting to and authorizing investment monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) in the custody of the State Treasurer for purposes of prudent financial administration and safekeeping of Fresno Joint Powers Finance Authority (JPFA) funds, and authorizing certain Finance Officers of the City of Fresno (City) in connection therewith.Action ItemAction: ADOPTED
- CITY ACTION
- C. RESOLUTION - Appoint and authorize certain Finance Officers of the City of Fresno (City) to sign City checks and various investment and commercial banking documents, and to provide verbal instruction required for the prudent financial administration and safekeeping of City funds.Action ItemAction: ADOPTED Passed
On motion of Councilmember Esparza, seconded by Councilmember Perea, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
- D. RESOLUTION - Consenting to and authorizing investment of monies in the Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) in the custody of the State Treasurer for purposes of investment, and authorizing certain Finance Officers in connection therewithAction ItemAction: ADOPTED Passed
On motion of Councilmember Richardson, seconded by Councilmember Perea, that the above Action Item be ADOPTED. The motion carried by the following vote:
- 9:10 A.M.
- ID 25-1048 Actions pertaining to the Program Year (PY) 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER) for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs: 1. HEARING to obtain public comments regarding the PY 2024 CAPER; and 2. Adopt PY 2024 CAPER and authorize submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).Action ItemAction: APPROVED Passed
On motion of Vice President Arias, seconded by Council President Karbassi, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote:
- 9:15 A.M.
- ID 25-664 HEARING to Consider adoption of the Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Program and Nexus Study and Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Fee; and related Environmental Impact Report SCH No. 2024091129. 1. RESOLUTION - Certifying Environmental Impact Report SCH No. 2024091129, adopting Findings of Fact as required by Public Resources Code Section 21081(A) and CEQA Guidelines, Section 15091, Approving a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program as Required by Public Resources Code Section 21081.6 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15097, Adopting the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations as Required by Public Resources Code Section 21081(B) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, as Related to the Adoption of the Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Program and Nexus Study. a. ADOPT the Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091; and b. ADOPT the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15097; and 2. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting a Vehicle Miles Traveled Nexus Study, Reduction Program, and Capital Improvement Plan as described in the Vehicle Miles Traveled Reduction Program and Nexus Study document dated September 2025, prepared pursuant to the requirements of California Public Resources Code Section 21099, CEQA Guidelines Sections 15064.3(B), 15064.7, and 15126.4, and the Mitigation Fee Act (Subject to Mayor’s Veto) a. ADOPT the Nexus Study based on the Council’s determination that the Vehicle Miles Reduction Program and Nexus Study was prepared in compliance with the Mitigation Fee Act and meets all requirements for a nexus study b. ADOPT the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) based on the Council’s determination that the CIP was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Mitigation Fee Act. c. ADOPT the Program inclusive of the VMT Mitigation Fee based on the Council’s determination that the public facilities, services, and amenities contemplated are individually and collectively necessary to contribute to the reduction of VMT Citywide, and that the VMT Mitigation Fee is in compliance with the Mitigation Fee Act and is supported by the Nexus Study. 3. BILL (for introduction) - Adding Article 4.17 to Chapter 12 of the Fresno Municipal Code, relating to the Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Fee 4. ***RESOLUTION - Adopting the 593rd Amendment to the Master Fee Schedule Resolution No. 80-420 to add a Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Fee in the Planning Section for Planning and Development Department (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)Action ItemAction: CONTINUED
- 9:20 A.M. (CONTINUED TO OCTOBER 16, 2025, AT 9:20 A.M.)
- ID 25-1150 HEARING to Consider Annexation Application No. P21-05778; Pre-zone Application No. P21-05870; Development Permit Application No. P23-00149; and related Environmental Assessment No. P21-05778/P21-05870/P23-00149 for ±80.91 acres of property located on the west side of South Cherry Avenue between East North and East Central Avenues (Council District 3) 1. ADOPT - Mitigated Negative Declaration prepared for Environmental Assessment No. P21-05778/P21-05870/P23-00149 dated May 22, 2025, for the proposed project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. 2. RESOLUTION - Approving Annexation Application No. P21-05778 (for the North-Cherry No. 3b Reorganization) proposing detachment from the Kings River Conservation District and Fresno County Fire Protection District and annexation to the City of Fresno. 3. BILL - (for Introduction and Adoption) - Approving Pre-zone Application No. P21-05870, requesting authorization to amend the Official Zoning Map of the City of Fresno to pre-zone the subject property from the Fresno County AL 20 (Limited Agricultural) zone district (±51.72 acres) to the City of Fresno IH (Heavy Industrial) zone district ( ±15.95 acres) and ; and City of Fresno IH/ANX (Heavy Industrial/Annexed Rural Residential Transitional Overly) zone district (±35.77 acres). 4. APPROVE - Development Permit Application No. P23-00149, requesting authorization to construct a long-term regional facility for the purpose of providing less-than-truckload freight services, subject to compliance with the Conditions of Approval dated June 18, 2025, and contingent upon approval of Annexation No. P21-05778, Pre-zone Application No. P21-05870 and the related environmental assessment.Action ItemAction: TABLED
- 11:00 A.M.
- ID 25-1276 Appearance by Rebecca Rangel regarding “Homelessness in Fresno” (District 1 Resident)Action ItemAction: PRESENTED
- The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the City Council during the October 16, 2025, regular meeting.
- 44 APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT CALENDARAction: APPROVED ON CONSENT CALENDAR Passed
On motion of Vice President Arias, seconded by Councilmember Perea, the CONSENT CALENDAR was hereby adopted by the following vote: