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Home My WebLink About2025-06-16 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, June 16, 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 5:45 P.M. 2. 5:45 P.M. Roll Call On motion of Commissioner Singh, seconded by Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Kucharski's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Dohlin, and Commissioner Singh Absent: 3 - Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner Singh, City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 1 June 16, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Commissioner Caglia's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Dohlin, and Commissioner Singh Absent: 3 - Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller On motion of Commissioner Barraza, seconded by Commissioner Singh, Commissioner Miller's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Dohlin, and Commissioner Singh Absent: 3 - Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, Commissioner Miller Commissioner Miller Joined the meeting at 5:50 P.M. Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward, Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Jon Dohlin, Commissioner Scott Miller, and Commissioner Harman Singh Present 6 - Commissioner Rose Caglia, and Commissioner Kelly Kucharski Absent 2 - 3. Pledge of Allegiance Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Approve Agenda On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Vice Chair Ward, the Agenda was APPROVED. The motion carried by the following vote: Aye:Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza, Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Miller and Commissioner Singh 6 - Absent:Commissioner Caglia and Commissioner Kucharski2 - City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 2 June 16, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes 5. Approval of Minutes 5.-A.ID 25-804 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of May 19, 2025, and the special meeting minutes of May 27, 2025 On motion of Commissioner Singh, seconded by Commissioner Dohlin, 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 Miller and Commissioner Singh 6 - Absent:Commissioner Caglia and Commissioner Kucharski2 - 6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports 6-A. San Joaquin River Parkway There was no update from the San Joaquin River Parkway. Chair McCoy announced once the budget is adopted, the San Joaquin River Parkway Subcommittee will dissolve. 6-B. Cultural Arts Grant Fund Subcommittee Vice Chair Ward reported that 213 completed applications were submitted for Year 2 of the Expanded Access to Arts program. Approximately 30 reviewers participated in the training process and were set to be organized into review teams. The goal remains to present grant recommendations at the August meeting. 7. Members Reports and Comments COMMISSIONER BARRAZA REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Expressed concern regarding a terminated soccer league contract and appeal. Emphasized the importance of fairness and public transparency. While acknowledging staff efforts to promote park safety, noting the need to balance enforcement with understanding that leagues cannot control all park goers. Called for transparency regarding what is contractually required of sports leagues, stating teams should be held accountable for actions City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 3 June 16, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes during games, but not for incidents occurring outside their control. A review of related policies was suggested to ensure fairness. CHAIR MCCOY REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Questioned the presence and scheduling of Park Rangers during sports league activities at city parks, and whether rangers were present from start to finish of games or if their presence was intermittent. Suggested assigning Park Rangers to remain onsite throughout events, particularly in the evenings when park use is highest. Expressed concerns about current ranger schedules prioritizing morning shifts for cleanup, which could be handled by Public Works instead. Questioned how much Measure "P" funding supports Park Rangers, including salaries and resources, and called for hiring more rangers to ensure safety during events. Suggested that trained mental health and behavioral staff, not Park Rangers, should handle the removal of unhoused individuals from parks, as rangers may lack the necessary training. VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Encouraged the public to continue participating in art and cultural events happening across the city, many of which were partially or fully funded by Measure "P". Noted that numerous performances and open exhibits were currently accessible due to this funding and are taking place in various locations worthwhile and deserving of public engagement. 8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments DEPUTY CITY MANAGER RUIZ REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced the City Council will hold its final votes on the FY26 budget Tuesday. PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS: Announced on Friday, June 13, the first group of over 50 day campers were sent to Camp Fresno. The first overnight group was sent the following Monday, with another group scheduled for Friday. Acknowledged Shelby McNab and Sarah Gayton for their efforts in launching the camp season. Announced recreation swimming pools opened for the summer at various high schools and city locations, operating daily from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Reported, over the weekend, Maxie L. Parks Community Center experienced vandalism, including five broken windows and damage to irrigation systems. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 4 June 16, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission Meeting Minutes Repairs are underway with support from the facilities team. 9. Unscheduled Communication Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission with unscheduled communication: Teri Soriano, Camilla Sutherland, Adam Balakian, Geetika Bajpai, Jaselle Camiling, and Lisa Flores. 10. Workshops 11. Discussion Items 12. Hearings 12.-A.ID 25-805 Hearing - Receive public input on Expanded Access to Arts and Culture Grant Program. The above item was called to order at 6:24 P.M. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 6:24 P.M. There was no commission discussion. 12.-B.ID 25-807 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 6:25 P.M. Upon call, no members of the public addressed the Commission: Public comment closed at 6:25 P.M. There was no commission discussion. 13. Adjournment Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at 6:25 P.M. The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation, and Arts Commission during the July 21, 2025, regular meeting. City of Fresno ***Subject to Mayoral Veto Page 5