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Home My WebLink About2025-04-21 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 - Vacant 5:30 PM Council Chambers (In Person and/or Electronic) https://www.fresno.gov/pra c-meeting/ Monday, April 21, 2025 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 5:36 P.M. 2. 5:36 P.M. Roll Call On motion of Chair McCoy, seconded by Commissioner Dohlin, Vice Chair Ward's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, and Commissioner Kucharski Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Ward, and Commissioner Singh On motion of Chair McCoy, seconded by Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Singh's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by the City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 April 21, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes following vote: Aye: 7 - Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller, and Commissioner Kucharski Absent: 2 - Vice Chair Ward, and Commissioner Singh Commissioner Singh joined the meeting at 5:47 P.M. Chair Kimberly McCoy, Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Rose Caglia, Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Kelly Kucharski, Commissioner Scott Miller, and Commissioner Harman Singh Present 7 - Vice Chair Laura E. WardAbsent1 - 3. Pledge of Allegiance Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Approve Agenda On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Caglia, the Agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski and Commissioner Miller 6 - Absent:Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Singh2 - 5. Approval of Minutes 5.-A.ID 25-496 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of March 17, 2025. On motion of Commissioner Caglia, seconded by Commissioner Dohlin, that the above Action Item be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski and Commissioner Miller 6 - City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 April 21, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Absent:Vice Chair Ward and Commissioner Singh2 - 6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports: 6-A. San Joaquin River Parkway: Commissioner Kucharski reported efforts are underway to schedule a meeting with the Parkway Trust team, PARCS Department, Public Works Department, and the Subcommittee. 6-B. Cultural Arts Grant Fund Subcommittee There was no update from the Cultural Arts Grant Fund Subcommittee. 7. Members Reports and Comments COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Reported concerns about the lack of facilities for senior citizens and after-school programs in newly approved parks. Expressed interest in holding a future discussion on these programs. COMMISSIONER CAGLIA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Wished everyone had a great Easter holiday. COMMISSIONER KUCHARSKI REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Thanked the commission for the privilege of serving. COMMISSIONER DOHLIN REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Visited Roeding Park and Woodward Park and felt rewarding to see people enjoying the parks, making the most of the facilities, and experiencing the parks firsthand to reinforce the importance of the work being done. 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments DEPUTY CITY MANAGER RUIZ REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged Director Aguirre and the PARCS team for their hard work in planning and executing a successful Easter weekend in the parks, and the support of other departments in ensuring that visitors were accommodated, safe, and that the parks were cleaned up promptly. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 April 21, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Acknowledged the significant effort and work that went into making the recent holiday weekend successful, emphasizing the contributions of the PARCS team, park managers, and other departments. Special thanks were given to various Departments and stakeholders for their roles in ensuring safety and cleanliness. Highlighted the improvements made in the parks, as well as the positive feedback from the community regarding park safety. Shared the success of Camp Fresno, with a significant increase in camper registrations, and thanked the commission for their support and service. 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: Camilla Sutherland, Jean Anger, and Jade McAfee. 10. Workshops: 10.-A.ID 25-563 Workshop- Scheduled Workshop for Commission Review and Input for the Measure P 2023 Annual Report pursuant to FMC Section 7-1509(e)(8). The above item was presented to the Commission by Assistant Director MacNab. Commission discussion on this item included: Fresno’s current PARCS score, and the disparity compared to other large cities. Interest in learning from other cities’ successful strategies to improve Fresno’s ranking. Suggestions to improve the park system, including adding more parks, amenities, and exercise equipment, especially for seniors, to enhance use and beautification. Timeline for existing park reinvestment and how new park investments will begin. Request for a breakdown or map showing how the $9.5 million in new park funding is allocated. Clarification of the PARCS partnership with a private senior center at Chestnut and Butler, and how such partnerships are counted or reflected on the maps. Concerns about the lack of senior centers in Southeast Fresno and a request for a clear definition and strategy for constructing future community centers. Future City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 April 21, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes policy and plans for developing community centers that support both after-school programs and senior services. Cost analysis of the 2024 report regarding youth sports. Meal programs offered at senior community centers. Request for future reports to highlight areas of highest need for easier identification. Clarification on Category 4 Arts Funding amounts represent actual project implementation or reserved funds. Inquiry about the total Measure “P” revenue collected for the upcoming budget. Addressing the needs of youth and seniors; request for the topic to be placed on a future agenda for in-depth discussion. PRESENTED 11. Discussion Items: 11.-A.ID 25-561 Discussion regarding potential dates for a special meeting. (Chairperson McCoy) Commission discussion on this item included: Adding a May 27, 2025 Special Meeting for budget recommendations. On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Chair McCoy, to hold a Special Meeting on May 27, 2025 be APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:Chair McCoy, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Singh 7 - Absent:Vice Chair Ward1 - 12. Hearings: 12.-A.ID 25-497 Hearing - Receive public input on Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant Program. The above item was called to order at 6:53 P.M. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 6:54P.M. There was no commission discussion on this item. 12.-B.ID 25-498 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. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5 April 21, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes The above item was called to order at 6:54 P.M. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission: Jade McAfee. Public comment closed at 6:56 P.M. Commission discussion on this item included: Commission’s role in making and submitting Measure “P” funding recommendations, including timeline, format, and effectiveness. Implementation of past recommendations. Improving communication and alignment with the City Council. Commissions advocacy for recommendations. Ensuring Brown Act compliance regarding commissioner attendance at City Council meetings. Establishing a consistent and formal process to strengthen the commission’s influence on city planning and funding decisions. 13. Adjournment Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at 7:04 P.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission during the May 19, 2025, regular meeting. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 6