HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-30 PRAC Minutes2600 Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93721
www.fresno.gov
City of Fresno
Meeting Minutes
Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Chair - Kimberly McCoy
Vice Chair - Laura Ward
Commissioner - Jose Leon Barraza
Commissioner - Rose Caglia
Commissioner - Jon Dohlin
Commissioner - Kelly Kucharski
Commissioner - Scott Miller
Commissioner - Harman Singh
Commissioner - Christina Soto
5:30 PM Council Chambers (In
Person and/or Electronic)
https://www.fresno.gov/pra
c-meeting
Monday, September 30, 2024
Regular Meeting
The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission (PRAC) met in regular session in the
Council Chamber at Fresno City Hall on the date and time above written.
1. Call to Order
Chair McCoy called the meeting to order at 5:32 P.M.
2. 5:32 P.M. Roll Call
Commissioner Dohlin arrived at 5:33 P.M.
Commissioner Singh arrived at 5:37 P.M.
Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward,
Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Rose Caglia,
Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski,
Commissioner Scott Miller, Commissioner Harman Singh,
and Commissioner Christina Soto
Present 9 -
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1
September 30, 2024Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Meeting Minutes
4. Approve Agenda
On motion of Commissioner Caglia, seconded by Commissioner
Dohlin, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye:Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,
Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner
Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto
8 -
Absent:Commissioner Singh1 -
5. Approval of Minutes
5.-A.ID 24-1309 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of September 16, 2024.
On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner
Barraza, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion
carried by the following vote:
Aye:Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,
Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski,
Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Soto
7 -
Absent:Commissioner Singh1 -
Abstain:Commissioner Caglia1 -
6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports:
6-A. Parks Master Plan:
There was no update from the Parks Master Plan.
6-B. Highest Needs Neighborhoods:
There was no update from the Highest Needs Neighborhoods.
6-C. San Joaquin River Parkway:
Commissioner Kucharski announced the upcoming meeting with the San
Joaquin River Conservancy, the tour of the San Joaquin River Parkway with
two commissioners attending, and invited all commissioners.
7. Members Reports and Comments
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2
September 30, 2024Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced a
final draft report will be presented to the commission in October for review
then the report will go to the council for final approval.
VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Attended the
groundbreaking for Broadway Park in South Tower, and acknowledged Kyle
Lopez Schmidt, PARCS Director Aguirre and the PARCS Department, and
Councilmember Aras.
8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments
PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced
the upcoming workshops for the Southwest Fresno Community Center Open
House series, and encouraged everyone to attend.
9. Unscheduled Communication: Members of the public may address the
Commission regarding items that are not listed on the agenda and within the subject
matter jurisdiction of the Commission. Each person will have up to three (3) minutes
to present.
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission
with unscheduled communication: Gabriel Lozano, and Jose Luis Barraza.
10. Workshops:
10.-A.ID 24-1316 Workshop - Highest Needs Definition (WRT) - Presentation of the Highest -
Needs Percentiles and Maps.
The above item was presented to the Commission by Program Manager
Gaytan, and Wallace Roberts, and Todd, LLC. (WRT) consultants Peter
Winch, and Hannah Goldov.
Commission discussion on this item included: Highest need maps, and how
many have been created. Commendations to city staff and consultants
(WRT) for their efforts in gathering public input. Improvements that change a
park’s overall condition rating. Surveys highlighting connections between
park conditions, poverty, and public safety, and the city response. REsponse
from the public as parks are enhanced, and park assessments being
communicated effectively. Low survey responses from non-English
speakers, and efforts to improve outreach and engagement to gain better
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3
September 30, 2024Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Meeting Minutes
feedback from residents of different backgrounds. Resource allocation
having a more concentrated and impactful investment in key locations.
Current highest-needs list expanding from 20 to 50 parks, and how
expanding the list might affect the 20 parks already receiving funds.
PRESENTED
10.-B.ID 24-1324 Workshop - Review of Measure P Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Adopted
Budget and FY26 Budget Build Schedule.
The above item was presented to the Commission by Assistant Director
Chinevere, and Director Mozier.
Assistant Director Chinevere announced the presentation motions 2 and 5
are labeled incorrectly, 2 should be labeled 5, and 5 should be labeled 2.
Commission discussion on this item included: Start dates for the projects
mentioned, and factors or events that influenced them. Need to determine
the budget for five full-time equivalents (FTE). Commission's budget
recommendations compared to what is approved by the City Council.
Interest in establishing a grant process outside the arts and culture space,
as described int the ordinance (section 7-1 158, Subsection "C"). Potential
conflicts arising between the grants and Parks Plans for senior and youth
programming within category 3. Clarification on what factors or data the
carryover forecast is based on, and the methodology used to determine the
forecast. Unspent approved funds and the reasons for vacancies Barriers
effecting utilization of allocated funds. Ensuring approved projects are
completed, and funds are used as intended. Possibility that funds may be
carried over and reallocated to different projects at the City Council’s
discretion. Homeless population in parks, and residents safety.
Appropriation of $900,000 for three pilot projects to address homelessness
in parks, and monitoring success of the projects. Solutions involving the
Parks Department, Fresno PD, park rangers, and nonprofits needed to
improve public safety and make parks more accessible for families.
PRESENTED
10.-C.ID 24-1317 Workshop - Overview of the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4
September 30, 2024Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Meeting Minutes
Program Process. (PARCS)
The above item was presented to the Commission by Division Manager
Soliz.
Commission discussion on this item included: Specific date when the
commission took action to amend or finalize the guidelines, and the
commission’s decision-making process involved. Timeline for amending the
guidelines, and council action.
PRESENTED
10.-D.ID 24-1318 Workshop - Review grant guidelines for the Expanded Access to Arts and
Culture Grant Program in partnership with PRAC. (Fresno Arts Council)
The above item was presented to the Commission by Fresno Arts Council
Director Lilia Gonzales Chavez.
Commission discussion on this item included: Guidelines specific to grant
recipients. Limitations of the rural grant program and whether it can be
extended to rural areas within the city. Clarification of "collectives", and
partnering with fiscal sponsors. Cultural Arts Subcommittee previously
emphasized one-third of the funding should target operations and projects in
high-need neighborhoods. Connection between access to art and culture
and the transportation barriers faced by residents, the need for projects to be
accessible to local communities. Potential imbalances in funding
distribution across districts to ensure equitable distribution and verify claims
of serving the entire city of Fresno. Creative methods to comply with funding
requirements, highlighting the need for verification processes. Equity in
funding distribution, and encouragement for continued dialogue and further
refinement of the guidelines.
PRESENTED
11. Discussion Items:
11.-A.ID 24-1339 Discussion - Regarding the Cultural Arts Subcommittee roles and
responsibilities as it pertains to the Cultural Art Grant Fund.
Commission discussion on this item included: Transparency in the
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5
September 30, 2024Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Meeting Minutes
decision-making processes of the commission following the removal of an
item from the agenda, and the approval processes for previous
recommendations. Clear communication regarding the tasks and existence
of subcommittees, establishing and maintaining a standing committee to
ensure a dedicated focus on cultural arts topics and improve relationships
with the Fresno Arts Council. Public engagement in discussions and
decision-making about cultural arts allocations. Significant public outreach
and further public involvement. Logistical and financial concerns, including
funding sources and meeting organization, and the challenges in creating a
standing committee. Functions and definition of an ad hoc committee and its
roles. Budget breakdown needed to assess the costs and funding eligibility
for establishing a standing committee, considering the current members
serve as volunteers, and additional expenses incurred in maintaining the
committee.
DISCUSSED
12. Hearings:
12.-A.ID 24-1310 Hearing - Receive public input on allocations related to Measure P,
updates to the Parks Master Plan and Cultural Arts Plan, and annual
PARCS Department Budget and Capital Improvement Plans.
The above item was called to order at 8:49 P.M. Upon call, the following
members of the public addressed the Commission: Gabriel Lozano. Public
comment closed at 8:53 P.M.
There was no Commission discussion on this item.
DISCUSSED
13. Adjournment
Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at
8:53 P.M.
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and
Arts Commission during the October 14, 2024, regular meeting.
City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6