HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-18 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 - Mckay A. Duran
Commissioner - Kelly Kucharski
Commissioner - Scott Miller
Commissioner - Vincent L. Trillo
5:30 PM Council Chambers (In
Person and/or Electronic)
https://www.fresno.gov/prac
-meeting/
Monday, August 18, 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
Vice Chair Ward called the meeting to order at 5:37 P.M.
2. 5:37 P.M. Roll Call
On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Vice Chair Ward,
Commissioner Caglia's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye: 6 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,
Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Duran, and Commissioner Trillo
Absent: 3 - Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, and
Commissioner Miller
On motion of Commissioner Barraza, seconded by Commissioner Trillo,
Commissioner Miller's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
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August 18, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Meeting Minutes
Aye: 6 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,
Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Duran, and Commissioner Trillo
Absent: 3 - Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, and
Commissioner Miller
On motion of Vice Chair Ward, seconded by Commissioner Dohlin,
Commissioner Kucharski's absence was EXCUSED. The motion carried by
the following vote:
Aye: 6 - Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,
Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Duran, and Commissioner Trillo
Absent: 3 - Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski, and
Commissioner Miller
Commissioner Kucharski joined the meeting at 5:51 P.M.
Chair Kimberly McCoy, Vice Chair Laura E. Ward,
Commissioner Jose Barraza, Commissioner Jon Dohlin,
Commissioner Mckay A. Duran, Commissioner Kelly
Kucharski, and Commissioner Vincent L. Trillo
Present 7 -
Commissioner Rose Caglia, and Commissioner Scott MillerAbsent2 -
3. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair McCoy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Approve Agenda
On motion of Commissioner Dohlin, seconded by Commissioner
Barraza, the AGENDA was APPROVED. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Aye:Chair McCoy, Vice Chair Ward, Commissioner Barraza,
Commissioner Dohlin, Commissioner Duran and
Commissioner Trillo
6 -
Absent:Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski and
Commissioner Miller
3 -
5. Approval of Minutes
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August 18, 2025Parks, Recreation, and Arts
Commission
Meeting Minutes
5.-A.ID 25-1049 Approval of the regular meeting minutes of July 21, 2025.
On motion of Vice Chair Ward, seconded by Commissioner Duran, 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 Duran and
Commissioner Trillo
6 -
Absent:Commissioner Caglia, Commissioner Kucharski and
Commissioner Miller
3 -
6. Discussion: Subcommittee Reports
6-A. Cultural Arts Grant Fund Subcommittee
Vice Chair Ward reported. In 2025, access to art grants expanded, with 197
applications submitted from 278 letters of intent, up by 60 from the previous
year. The breakdown includes 24 general operations applications from
established organizations and 12 from emerging ones, while project grants
saw 46 from established and 115 from emerging organizations. Over $6
million will be available for awards. Review panels met from July 28, 2025, to
August 15, 2025, and the subcommittee thanked the panelists and the
Fresno Arts Council for their efforts. The panel meeting schedule was
posted and sent to applicants and fiscal sponsors to improve transparency.
The cultural arts subcommittee will meet later this month to finalize grant
allocations for September.
7. Members Reports and Comments
VICE CHAIR WARD REPORTS AND COMMENTS. Congratulated the city
and community on the opening of Broadway Parque in Central Fresno.
Announced Measure "P" funded art projects are ongoing, with many grant
awardees from last year planning and scheduling their events. Encouraged
the community to participate in the upcoming art and cultural events.
8. City Administration and PARCS Staff Reports and Comments
PARCS DIRECTOR AGUIRRE REPORTS AND COMMENTS. PARCS
Department is expanding several programs, including "Mondays on the Mat"
yoga classes at three new locations. Announced a digital literacy grant that
will help seniors learn digital skills, with a chance to win a free tablet upon
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Meeting Minutes
course completion. Launching a "Midnight Soccer" program on September
12, 2025, in Southeast Fresno, similar to the "Midnight Basketball" initiative.
Celebrated the groundbreaking of the first dedicated senior activity center, a
$41 million investment offering various amenities like a heated pool, library,
and fitness room.
9. Unscheduled Communication
Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the Commission
with unscheduled communication: Kiel Lopez Schmidt.
10. Workshops
10.-A.ID 25-1122 Workshop: Presentation - Overview of PARCS Department’s FY25
capital projects portfolio. (PARCS)
The above item was presented to the Commission by PARCS Department
Projects Administrator Portale.
Commission discussion on this item included: new exercise equipment
installed at parks, including the new park in West Fresno; Radio Park and
Dolores Huerta Park receiving Prop "68" funding for new pickleball facilities
with existing tennis courts being striped for multiple sports; $165,000
allocated for the conceptual design of a gym at the Southeast Fresno Sports
Complex, with community outreach and site planning including mailers and
social media efforts; concerns about the centralization of senior facilities and
the need for decentralized services, considering the expense and feasibility
of building new community centers and gyms; maintenance plans for parks
include limiting playtime, aeration, reseeding, and a new turf management
program to prevent deterioration of facilities; demand for pickleball and futsal
facilities addressed with new courts being added at various parks; Vinland
Park pickleball and futsal project is in the insurance and bonding phase, with
construction expected to start soon and complete by early summer 2026;
Camp Fresno projects funded by general funds and Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements, as Measure “P” cannot be
used outside city limits; city committed $61 million for park projects,
demonstrating significant investment beyond Measure “P” funds, and;
PARCS Department exploring technology to track park usage to better
allocate resources and improve maintenance.
11. Discussion Items
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12. Hearings
12.-A.ID 25-1050 Hearing - Receive public input on Expanded Access to Arts and Culture
Grant Program.
The above item was called to order at 6:25 P.M. and there was no
presentation. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the
Commission: Johannus Reijnders, and Sine Chan. Public comment closed
at 6:32 P.M.
There was no Commission discussion on this item.
12.-B.ID 25-1051 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 6:32 P.M. and there was no
presentation. Upon call, the following members of the public addressed the
Commission: Kiel Lopez Schmidt. Public comment closed at 6:34 P.M.
Commission discussion on this item included: unexpended grant funds from
previous cycles carried over to future grant cycles, with some funds
reallocated due to unaccepted awards and penalties for late reports;
allocation of arts funding being tracked by zip codes and service areas to
ensure equitable distribution across the city, and; Fresno Arts Council as the
point of contact for any commissioners questions.
13. Adjournment
Chair McCoy adjourned the meeting in Memory of Dr. Francine Oputa, at
6:43 P.M.
The above minutes were approved by unanimous vote of the Parks, Recreation,
and Arts Commission during the September 15, 2025, regular meeting.
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