Emergency Expansion of the
City’s Warming Centers

Warming Centers during the Winter are incredibly important for Fresno’s unhoused population, low-income families, non-English speakers, and individuals residing in high-need neighborhoods. In an effort to provide assistance during the arduous weather conditions, the Fresno City Council approved a resolution to operate warming shelters for a period of 30 days, extensions upon further evaluation of need.

Declaring a state of emergency to address affordable housing and homelessness

At the beginning of my administration, Councilmembers Luis Chavez, Miguel Arias, and I presented a citywide state of emergency declaration over affordable housing and homelessness. The purpose of this action was to bring awareness to a large issue here in the City of Fresno. As we navigate solutions to reducing the cost-of-living spaces and the uptick in homelessness post-pandemic, the City is asked to asses all possible routes to mitigate the ongoing problem and find speedy solutions so that we prioritize and remember those with high needs.  

Free Feminine Hygiene Products

With the growing movement to make feminine hygiene products free and accessible to all, Councilmember Nelson Esparza and I presented and passed a resolution to establish a program to make feminine hygiene products free and accessible in all public restrooms in City Hall. In addition, the Council encourages other public entities and businesses to offer feminine hygiene products at no cost in their restrooms.

Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

• The dynamics of office work changed in the past few years, reducing the demand for office space leaving many vacant buildings throughout the City that are available for conversion to other uses. In addition to this change, the City of Fresno has been experiencing a housing shortage. Together, Administration, Council, and Public Works, worked to initiate a Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 15-5803-A (1), to permit residential conversions in the Office Zone District, allow ministerial approval of office-to-residential conversions, and allow ministerial approval of housing near bus stops and in zone districts that allow mixed-use.

The goal of this amendment is to use the existing infrastructure available to create an opportunity for the conversion of a residential living space.

City of Fresno Supports the Tower District Farmers Market

The Tower District Marketing Committee is working with the California Fresh Farmers Market Association to bring the Farmers Market to the Tower District and is proudly sponsored by Councilmember Annalisa Perea, Councilmember Miguel Arias, CalViva Health, and the California Wellness Foundation.

The Tower District Farmers Market will be held every Thursday on Olive Street from N. Echo Ave to Wishon Ave 5:00-9:00 PM. Local vendors will be selling local seasonal produce, crafts, and local food trucks will also be participating. 

Sideshow Ordinance

Amending Chapter 9, Article 26 of the Fresno Municipal Code to add Section 9-2610, “Sideshows, Street Races, and Reckless Driving Exhibitions,” prohibiting the knowing participation as a driver, passenger, or spectator in sideshows, street races, or reckless driving exhibitions.

Anyone caught participating or promoting street racing and illegal sideshows will be fined $1,000 or charged with a misdemeanor — which could lead to six months in jail.

Local Job Creation Incentive Program

In partnership with Councilmember Arias, a pilot program was created to incentivize job creation, diversify businesses and attract commercial/retail to neighborhoods that drastically lack resources within portions of the Tower District and the portion of the area West of Highway 99.

$250 Million Downtown Fresno Infrastructure Plan

• The City of Fresno stood in support of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s $250 Million Recommendation to Fund Downtown Fresno Infrastructure Projects.

Parts of Downtown Fresno’s infrastructure dates back to the late nineteenth century, the allocation of $250 Million by the state allows us to fund: new sewer systems, drains, sidewalks, greenspaces, transit centers, parking structures, affordable housing units, and a multitude of locally created jobs.

Chief Kerri Donis Training Center

After nine years as Fire Chief and almost 30 years as a firefighter with the City of Fresno, Councilmember Miguel Arias and I introduced a resolution to commemorate the legacy of Fresno’s First Female Fire Chief, Chief Kerri Donis. Chief Kerri Donnis is the first woman to hold the position of Chief in the department’s 145-year history.

In the beginning of her career as Fire Chief, Chief Donis saw a need for safety improvement for the department. After an extensive investigation, the Fresno Fire Department received 162 improvement recommendation, to this day all those improvements have been met or are in progress. Under her leadership, the Department has grown to 355 sworn firefighting personnel, 25 sworn non-safety, and 26 civilian positions, for a current total of 386 Fresno Fire Department members. In addition, Chief Donis has been an advocate for advancing women’s firefighting careers through the Chief Kerri Donis Girls Empowerment Camp.

Red Light Study

Councilmember Mike Karbassi and I collaborated on a resolution to conduct a traffic safety assessment addressing the top ten intersections to combat red-light problems, speeding, collisions with pedestrians and bicyclists.

Traffic Safety Assessment of Clinton & Van Ness

In response to many calls concerning the intersection of Clinton and Van Ness, Councilmember Nelson Esparza and I co-sponsored a bill to conduct a traffic assessment to include options for improved safety for the intersection of Van Ness and Clinton Avenues.

In addition to requesting a traffic assessment of this intersection, Public Works crews have responded by installing high visibility crosswalks and new paint to increase visibility when rounding corners.

Affordable Connectivity Program

In an effort to bring focus attention to an existing Affordable Connectivity Program created to bridge the digital divide for residents in the City of Fresno who currently lack internet access, I presented a resolution to bring awareness to this topic to foster equality for Fresno residents and bolster resources for upward mobility.

Business Façade Grant Improvement Program for District 1 & District 4

To facilitate commercial revitalization within the target areas within Districts 1 & 4, Council President Tyler Maxwell and I co-authored a resolution to develop Districts 1 & 4 Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program.

The target areas include the Tower District Corridor, including the South side of Olive Avenue in District 3 and the Fresno Yosemite International Airport Corridor.

Procedures for Sidewalk Vending in the Tower District

In an effort to improve overall safety in the Tower District , a 90 Day Pilot Program Zone will be created consistent with Government Code sections 51036 through 51059, to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. This resolution establishing procedures for sidewalk vending in the Tower District will be effective August 1, 2023.Vendors located in the Tower District business corridor, defined as specifically situated South of McKinley, West of Blackstone, North of Belmont, and East of Palm avenues, must comply with the following rules:

• Must have their city business license, county health permit, as well as any other relevant state licenses
• Must sell between the hours of 5 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. and must vacate the area by 2 a.m.
• Must clean trash and keep area clean within 10-foot radius
• Prohibited from operating within 100 feet of residences
• Prohibited from operating within 50 feet of an entrance or exit from any business with an operational kitchen
• Prohibited from operating within 10 feet of another sidewalk vendor
• Prohibited from operating within 18 inches of the sidewalk curb
• Prohibited from anywhere that would impede pedestrian access in designated areas
• Prohibited from selling during a special event, such as the weekly farmer’s market in Tower on Thursdays

Any vendor that violates these rules will be subject to the following penalties:

• Initial violation: verbal warning
• Second violation: $100 fine within year of initial violation
• Third violation: $250 fine within year of initial violation
•  Additional violations: $500 fine within year of initial violation

Councilmember Miguel Arias and I introduced this resolution after receiving complaints from the neighborhood. There have been 14 violent incidents – shootings, stabbings and robberies – in the last 12 months in the district between 1:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. The goal isn’t to discourage vendors but rather establish procedures for the overall safety of the community. In addition, my office partnered with Councilmember Arias to conduct educational workshops in to assist vendors and provide resources on how to get licensing and permits.