City Council

District 3

Councilmember Miguel Arias

Miguel-Arias
Miguel Arias Banner

2600 FRESNO STREET • FRESNO CA   93721
(559)  621-8000  •   [email protected]

Welcome to District 3. It is with deep gratitude and pride that I serve the Southwest, Tower District, Downtown, Chinatown, South Fresno, and our Central Unified communities. As always, I want to keep you fully informed and engage you in building safer, vibrant neighborhoods that allow our City to thrive. As your Councilmember, I will continue to fight to reinvest in our neighborhoods, seek fairness in representation and investment, and ensure government transparency and strong fiscal management. My staff and I are here to serve you. We welcome you to call, email, or visit our District 3 Office.

Sincerely,

Miguel Arias
Councilmember, District 3

Please enjoy this second volume of our District 3 Annual Report to get updated on everything we have accomplished these past years and our Rebuild District 3 Plan.

Maxie L. Parks Community Center Update

District Map
Biography

Fresno City Councilmember President Miguel Arias represents District 3, including the Tower, West Fresno, Central and Downtown neighborhoods. He is a native of Mendota, a rural agricultural community in western Fresno County where he and his family labored in the fields as farmworkers. After graduating from Mendota High School, Mr. Arias attended California State University, Fresno where he studied Criminology and Chicano Latino Studies.  While at CSU Fresno, he accepted a position with the U.S. House of Representatives where he worked as a district representative and legislative assistant to Congressman Calvin Dooley in both the Fresno and Washington D.C. offices.  During his time in Washington D.C., Mr. Arias established an immigration education program and staffed the bipartisan House Taskforce on Immigration Reform.

In 2005, upon completing his tenure in Washington D.C. with Congressman Dooley, Mr. Arias returned to his hometown in the Central Valley. Shortly after his arrival in 2006, he was appointed and subsequently elected as a trustee of the Mendota Unified School District.  As trustee, he assisted the leadership team in improving student achievement and facilities including the construction of a new middle school and the establishment of the Westside Institute of Technology, a vocational training enter for residents in rural western Fresno County. Additionally, he served as a State delegate to the California Democratic Party and acting president for the Mendota-Firebaugh Rotary Club.

While living in Mendota, Mr. Arias assumed the position of Rural Resource Development Specialist with Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) – one of the largest Community Action Agencies in the United States.  In this role, Mr. Arias led EOC’s efforts of creating and implementing economic development projects utilizing fallowed agricultural land.

Mr. Arias subsequently, accepted the role as Chief of Staff to Fresno City Council Member Blong Xiong. During which he initiated and implemented local, state, and federal initiatives related to the district and city. His duties also included participation in the city budget deliberations, economic development projects, and direct communications with elected officials, advocacy groups, lobbyists, and constituents on behalf of the City.

Mr. Arias has served in various senior roles within Fresno Unified School District including; Chief Information Officer, Executive Director of the Office of Constituent Services and Community and Family Services. Fresno Unified School District is the fourth largest school district in the State of California and the largest employer in the San Joaquin Valley.

Most recently, Mr. Arias served on the State Center Community College Board of Trustees from November of 2014, to November of 2018, representing Area 5. Council President Arias currently lives in Downtown with his family.

Boards/Committees

Finance & Audit Committee
CDBG Sub Committee
Housing & Homelessness Sub-Committee
Measure P & PRAC Sub-Committee
Transportation Sub-Committee
Public Safety Sub-Committee
RDA Transition Sub-Committee
Cannabis Ad-Hoc Committee
Fresno County Transportation Authority
Fresno EIFD Public Financing Authority
San Joaquin Valley Special City Selection Committee

Staff
Gabriela-Olea

Gabriela Olea
Chief of Staff

(559) 621-7834
[email protected]

Jorge-Fernandez

Jorge Fernandez
Council Assistant

(559) 621-7836
[email protected]

Ariana-Martinez-Lott

Ariana Martinez-Lott
Council Assistant

(559) 621-7835
[email protected]

William-Johnson

William Johnson
Council Assistant
(559) 621-7832
[email protected]

Jacqueline-Rubio

Jacqueline Rubio
Council Assistant

(559) 621-7833
[email protected]

sam

Samantha Escareno

Council Aide

(559) 621-7832

[email protected]

Brian-Velasco

Brian Velasco

District 3 Youth Program Intern

(559) 621-7832

[email protected]

Ciannah-Moreno

Ciannah Moreno

Council Aide

(559) 621-7832

[email protected]

Khari-Lester

Khari Lester

Council Aide

(559) 621-7832

[email protected]

Isaac-Gudino

Isaac Gudino

Council Aide

(559) 621-7832

[email protected]

Upcoming Events

New Park Design Meeting

We need your input for the design of the new Park at MLK Magnet Core coming to southwest Fresno! Spanish and Hmong interpretation services will be provided.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 6:00 P.M.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92253289001

You can also provide comments and learn more about the park at: https://www.transformfresno.com/…/park-at-mlk-magnet-core/

District 3 in the News
April 20, 2022
From Jalisco to Fresno: ‘Woven Sky’ Art Project planned for Fulton Street

April 19, 2022
West Fresno’s City College campus gets a new training center. ‘Ticket to the middle class?

April 14, 2022
Health centers will find a home in southwest and southeast Fresno

March 30, 2022
One year after slaying street vendor, city launches ‘historic’ safety effort

March 8, 2022
City of Fresno given $5 Million from Clean California Grant Program

February 07, 2022
Fresno commits $6.5M to Housing Authority’s proposed affordable housing projects

February 21, 2022
Are speed bumps coming back to Fresno? City installs first set since repealing 2006 ban

February 2, 2022
Private Property Cleanup: City of Fresno enforces stronger abatement rules

January 28, 2022
City leaders hold town hall meeting to help tackle homelessness in Fresno

January 25, 2022
Construction begins on affordable homes in Southwest Fresno

December 8, 2021
Maxie L Parks Community Center reopens in Fresno after 15-month closure

July 31, 2021
Fresno’s Tower District gets biggest makeover in 60 years

July 19, 2021
Plans for a community food market in downtown Fresno offers vendors a space across Chukchansi Park

July 19, 2021
Fresno’s vacant buildings will have to be improved or owners face fines, city leader says

May 17, 2021
$1.3 million beautification project to kick off in the Tower District this week

May 11, 2021
Fresno City councilmembers team up to improve rental housing

April 22, 2021
Fresno city councilmember pushing for new park near Tower District

October 26, 2021
Fresno City Leaders to look into possibility of installing speed humps

October 12, 2021
Fresno Nonprofit aiming to help immigrant entrepreneurs

October 8, 2021
‘Defining issue of our time’. California housing crisis tour makes stop of Fresno

September 30, 2021
Revised Plan aims at protecting at Fresno’s Historic Buildings

August 31, 2021
City of Fresno works to revitalize downtown by tackling vacant buildings, businesses not up to code

June 11, 2021
Pride Flag raising ceremony held at Fresno City Hall

June 10, 2021
Arias pushes infrastructure improvements for South Tower neighborhood

June 9, 2021
Councilmember Arias proposes plan to revitalize downtown neighborhoods

May 25, 2021
New proposal would help Fresno’s blighted and vacant commercial buildings

April 7, 2021
Fresno announces its first large solar farm

March 11, 2021
Amazon & City, developers strike deal to develop industrial triangle

March 2, 2021
Drive-Thru Food giveaways in District 3, Fresno
February 17, 2021
Fresno’s homeless motels are restoring a troubled area of town
December 23, 2020
Fresno Artists, Museums receive Arts Grants from City

December 15, 2020
Fresno Organizations win “Save our Nonprofits” Grant Money

October 27, 2020
Hidden Cameras help tackle illegal dumping in Fresno’s Chinatown

October 29, 2020
Council President Miguel Arias holds summit addressing violence in Southwest Fresno

October 7, 2020
City Council President and Fresno Mayor hold Armenian Ceremony at City Hall

September 22, 2020
Fresno to receive over $7.6 million to convert motels into homeless housing

September 3, 2020
$4 Million Tower District Apartments coming next year

August 17, 2020
Latino Valley Leaders call for farm work COVID-19 aid

July 17, 2020
$1 Million Initiative to reduce West Fresno Health Disparities

July 14, 2020
Fresno Small Business Grant winners Announced

July 14, 2020
Hidden Cameras help tackle illegal dumping in Fresno’s Chinatown
September 22, 2019 
New Ordinance will penalize Fresno landlords with unsafe homes for renters
May 16, 2019 
Fresno’s notorious Motel Drive to be cleaned up
May 1, 2019
Fresno City Council Votes to Curb Liquor Licenses
April 26, 2019
The iconic Hotel Fresno is getting a makeover
Internship Program

Fresno City Council District 3 Internship Program

Councilmember Miguel Arias values education and believes that students bring new ideas, enthusiasm, and new skills to the workforce.

Internships provide valuable work experience directly related to the student’s academic field of study. Participants will be given high-level work experience that will prepare them for permanent positions in the workforce.

How to Apply:

E-mail the following items as a PDF packet to [email protected]

  1. Complete the Councilmember Miguel Arias’ Internship Application.
  2. Include a letter of interest.
  3. Submit 2 references (cannot be a relative).
Code Violation Guide

Code Violations (559) 621-8400

  1. Car Parked On Lawn
  2. InOp In Driveway (cob webs, flat tires, wrecked)
  3. InOp In Yard
  4. Car Over Unpaved Surface
  5. Boat Stored In Driveway
  6. Trailer Stored In Driveway
  7. Trailer Stored In Yard
  8. Boat Stored In Yard
  9. Tall Weeds, 6″ Tall
  10. Dry, Tall Weeds
  11. Vacant Unsecured House
  12. Trash In Yard
  13. Trash In Driveway
  14. Trash At Gutter
  15. Junk And Appliances In Driveway
  16. Junk And Appliances In Yard
  17. Canopy In Driveway
  18. Basketball Hoop On Sidewalk
  19. Parked Car On Sidewalk
  20. Trash And Junk In Alley
  21. Weeds, Dry, Tall In Alley
  22. Auto Repair On Property
  23. A Fence Taller Than 6 Feet Or Shorter Than 3 Feet
  24. Mobil Home In Driveway
  25. Mobil Home In Yard
  26. Yard Sale Signs on Trees, in Medians, or on Poles

Report Code Violations with FresGo

FresGo - Report an Issue

Police Violations (559) 621-8000

  1. InOp Parked In Street (cob webs, flat tires, wrecked)
  2. Boat Stored In Street
  3. Trailer Stored In Street
  4. Basketball Hoop In Street
  5. Mobile Home Parked In Street W/Power Hooked Up

Public Works (559) 621-8650

  1. Sign Replacement/Repair
  2. Sidewalk, Curb, Gutter Repairs
  3. Tree Removal/Replacement And Trimming
  4. Street Lights
  5. Traffic Lights
  6. Standing Water

Community Sanitation Graffiti Reporting Form On-Line

  1. Graffiti Reporting (fences, trees, parks, building and signs)
Online Service Request
District 3 Online Service Request

Requestor's Information

Location/Description of Problem

Contact Councilmember Miguel Arias's Office
Contact District 3
Emergency Rental Assistance Program

Qualifying Renters and Landlords Are Now Eligible For 100% Of Rent and Utilities Owed

Please apply online, or by phone at (559) 621-6801. We offer language support in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Punjabi.

The City of Fresno’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is available to City of Fresno residents that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to pay their full amount of rent and utilities from April 1, 2020. The City of Fresno along with six community-benefit organizations (CBOs) will be responsible to provide relief to both landlords and tenants.

For more information on the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, visit:  https://www.fresno.gov/mayor/erap/

Proclamation And Certificate Request

Our office welcomes the opportunity to recognize exceptional individuals and events throughout District 3 with an official proclamation or certificate of recognition. A proclamation or certificate may be issued in honor of civic events, to recognize achievements, or to commemorate important dates in the life of an individual or organization.

To make a request for a proclamation or certificate, please contact the District 3 office at least two weeks prior to issuance.

We request the following information:

First Name                  Last Name

Email                          Phone Number

Organization               Date of Event

Description of Event

Background Information to be Included

Community Investments/Improvements

District 3 Community Investments

Investment in Parks in Southwest, Downtown, Central, and Belmont area of Fresno (2020-21)

  • New SW Fresno Park by the West Fresno Campus – $5.5 Million
  • Maxie Parks Community Center Clean-Up – $500,000
  • Ted C. Willis Park Improvements – $389,800
  • Mary Ella Brown & Frank H. Ball Community Center Renovations – $350,000
  • Hinton Center Restroom & Field Lighting – $250,000
  • California/Tupman Pocket Park Playground & Fencing – $225,655
  • Dickey Park Playground Renovations – $150,000
  • Fink-White Splash Park – $150,000
  • Jaswant SIngh Khalra Park & Playground and Shade Structure – $300,000
  • Re-Seeding of Jaswant Khalra Park (Previously Victoria Park) – $70,000
  • Roeding Park – Digital Self Serve Parking Pay Booth Upgrades

Afterschool Programs
Dickey, Fink-White, Frank H. Ball, Holmes Playground, Maxie L. Parks, and Ted C. Willis Community Center(s) – $666,800

Senior Meals Program
Mary Ella Brown & Ted C. Willis Community Center – $174,400\

Small Businesses in District 3

  • SOSB Grants Awarded to District 3 Businesses: 643 total jobs impacted – $855,000
  • Outdoor Dining Grants for Tower/Downtown Businesses – $305,000
  • Facade Improvements for the Kings Canyon Corridor, Chinatown & Tower District Businesses – $100,000

District 3 Community Investments

Downtown

  • Hotel Fresno – $32 Million
  • South Van Ness Industrial Road Reconstruction Project – $4.4 Million
  • Mariposa Plaza – $3.9 Million
  • Wireless Parking Meters -$2 Million
  • CDBG Funding to Restore the Historic Armenia Town – $1 Millions
  • Restaurant Parklets – $125,000
  • 22 Upgraded Traffic Signal Lights in Downtown & Chinatown

Southwest Fresno

  • Fresno City College West Fresno Campus – $70 Million
  • West Fresno Park – $9 Million
  • Health Clinic – $6 Million
  • Tree Trimming in SW Fresno – $150,000
  • Uptown Housing Project
  • 295 Trees planted in SW Fresno along Arthur Ave. through TCC funds
  • 35 trees planted at Tupman Park, Kearney Triangle Park, and Chandler Park in SW Fresno

Central Fresno

  • Road Improvements, West of HWY 99 & North of HWY 180 – $2.7 Million
  • Jaswant Singh Khalra Park Playground & Shade Structure – $300,000
  • Re-seeding of Jaswant Singh Khalra Park (Previously Victoria Park) – $70,000

Chinatown

  • The Monarch Housing Project on F Street – $19 Million
  • Clean-up & Sanitation of Chinatown – $143,000

Tower District

  • Tower District Beautification, Street Maintenance, and Tree Trimming – $1.8 Million
  • Outdoor Dining Grants for Tower Businesses – $180,000
  • Neighborhood Tree Trimming – $150,000
  • Decorative lighting and Trash Cans

Spring Concrete by Street Maintenance Division

  • Vine-Lee-Calwa-MLK-Neighborhood (Curb Ramps, Sidewalk Repair)
  • MLK – Jensen to North Ave. Curb ramp installation
  • Clinton – Brawley to Sonora Ave. sidewalk repair
  • Palm and Franklin Ave. concrete repair
  • Amador and B St. – Curb and Gutter installation upcoming, alley reconstruction

Spring Paving by Street Maintenance Division

  • Vine – Lee – Calwa – MLK – Neighborhoods
  • Second cul-de-sac South of Jensen

Slurry Seal in Late Summer

  • West Ave., Kearney to Eden
  • Weldon/Clinton/Hanover/Brawley Neighborhood
  • Olive-Palm-Fulton-Belmont (No Broadway, Wilson, Roosevelt Neighborhood
  • Olive-Fulton-Belmont-San Pablo (No Fulton, Van Ness, San Pablo) Neighborhood
  • Olive-San Pablo-180-Blackstone Neighborhood
  • O St. – SR 41 to Tuolumne
  • Kearney – Fresno to Thorne
  • Kearney – Thorne to West

COVID-19 Relief

$52.8+ Million total in Relief for

  • Prevention, Testing & Contact Tracing
  • Housing Retention Grants
  • Assistance to Save our Small Businesses
  • Childcare Vouchers
  • Outdoor Dining Grants for Small Businesses
  • Grocery Assistance for Seniors
  • Savings Arts & Culture
  • Supporting our Community Benefit Organizations