Tree Policy: Thousands of trees for Fresno’s underserved neighborhoods? Here’s what city leaders say

-Introduced by Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, the “City of Fresno Tree Policy” would commit the city to plant a minimum of 1,000 drought-tolerant trees on public property each year until 2035 and provide youth jobs in tree maintenance and care, as well as creating a rebate program to incentivize home and business owners to plant more trees.

Police chief’s warning for catalytic converter thieves in Fresno. ‘You will be arrested’

Ordinance ID 23-247 would make it illegal to possess detached catalytic converters, unless you’re recognized as a core recycler with the city, or if you have proper documentation of where the converter came from…City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, who authored the ordinance, said Fresno City Council will vote on the ordinance at their next meeting.

Senior Center: Fresno wants residents’ ideas on what to include in a new senior center. How to offer input

-“Mayors and council members going back to the early ’90s have campaigned and promised a senior activities center for decades, and it’s never materialized,”

I’m happy to do my part now to really develop a state-of-the-art senior village,” Councilmember Tyler Maxwell said. “It’s not just a senior center … but also affordable senior housing.

Tenant Relocation Benefits: Fresno renters in unsafe living conditions may receive relocation assistance. Here’s how

Most people in my district don’t have the disposable income to pay for one month’s rent, let alone two months rent, and deposit, and utility deposit,” said Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, who represents District 4 in central and east Fresno. “It leads to these folks becoming homeless in the process, which is the last thing we want in this city.” The relocation program is meant to ensure that tenants are afforded the rights provided to them under Health and Safety Code housing laws.

City of Fresno mulls program to help tenants in ‘unlivable’ homes

The resolution that will be introduced to the city council on Thursday would allow the city to go after 150% of the rent paid by tenants as a deterrent to landlords who don’t cover relocation costs when inspectors say their rentals are unlivable.”So if we relocate somebody and we paid two months’ rent, let’s say that $2,000, we can not just go after that $2,000 but an additional $1,000 as a penalty to that landlord,” says Councilmember Tyler Maxwell.

Paul Cap Center: New community center opens near Cedar & Shaw in Fresno

The addition of the Paul Caprioglio Community Center is just the latest investment into the El Dorado Park neighborhood” said Councilmember Tyler Maxwell. “This community had long been defined by its high crime and low socio-economic status. However, many years of investment from neighbors and the City have transformed this community into something really special.

Fresno mayor, City Council drop fight against Measure P, in victory for parks advocates

(January 8th, 2021) The majority of the Fresno City Council on Thursday voted to drop the city’s protestations of Measure P, a tax for parks that has been working its way through the courts. In his first vote and resolution passed on the council, Councilmember Maxwell affirmed Fresno’s support of parks and greenspace for all. Generations of residents will be able to enjoy the safe and engaging spaces Measure “P” will help create.Construction begins on affordable homes in Southwest Fresno.

Fresno councilman wants to make FAX bus free for everyone. How will the city pay for it?

(February 3, 2021) Maxwell said that loss could be covered by CARES Act dollars in the short term, but could also be covered by grants or savings from within the FAX department. Kansas City is perhaps the closest example of Maxwell’s plan. But there are nearby examples too. Visalia has operated without fares during the pandemic, and Clovis went fare-free in October.

Fresno council member: Making city buses free to ride will boost the economy, clean the air

(February 10, 2021) By eliminating bus fares we can get more people vaccinated, get Fresnans back to work, stimulate our economy, reduce carbon emissions, increase FAX efficiency and safety, provide equity for our most disadvantaged residents, and promote the development of a more walkable city. In the short term, we will use our federal allocation of COVID relief dollars. Post-pandemic we will continue partnerships with our bus ticket bulk buyers like Fresno State and partner with local healthcare providers and major local employers who have already expressed an interest in supporting this vital service.

Fresno City Council passes Eviction Protection Program, still finalizing details

(May 13th, 2021) “The proposed Eviction Protection Program (EPP) will help safeguard Fresno’s most vulnerable tenants in a time when we are anticipating a wave of evictions across the nation,” said Councilmember Maxwell. Fresno’s EPP will allow the City Attorney to seek outside legal counsel to represent tenants who are facing potential unlawful evictions. The second part of the package will include an amendment of the Rental Housing Improvement Act, which will strengthen the City’s proactive inspection program.

New program is a game-changer for Fresno renters who are facing illegal evictions

(July 30, 2021) The City of Fresno launched its first-ever Eviction Protection Program aimed at providing legal aid to renters who believe they are being unlawfully evicted. The program will be administered by the City Attorney’s office where residents can contact their office for an initial screening interview. If your case is determined to be unlawful, you will be referred to outside legal counsel for representation at no cost.

New policy could help combat wage theft in Fresno

(January 30, 2024) Fresno Councilmember Tyler Maxwell says it’s time to combat wage theft at the local level. It’s a problem Maxwell says plagues California, including here in the Valley.

“Working-class families are the backbone of this community,” said Maxwell.

Wage theft could happen in several different ways, like earning less than minimum wage or not being allowed to take a meal or rest break.

Nearly 70 Fresno businesses getting facelifts through program

(January 22, 2024) The program allowed businesses to apply for up to $25,000.

“They take a chance on the City of Fresno, and we want to take a chance on them by helping them out a little bit,” Maxwell said.

It saw such success, two programs were created for Airport District and Tower District businesses to apply for $40,000-$70,000 grants.

Because when small businesses do well, Fresno’s economy does well.

Fresno takes a united front to fight organized retail crime

(September 19, 2023)

“If you’re thinking about stealing the catalytic converter, if you’re thinking about doing a smash and grab, we got 25 officers just for you. They’re gonna be looking for you, and they’re going to be coming after you if you commit some of these crimes,” said Tyler Maxwell, Fresno City Council Member.

More ‘free little libraries’ coming to Fresno. Here’s how you can donate books

(April 25, 2023) The program allowed businesses to apply for up to $25,000.

“Soon, more of these lending libraries are coming to Fresno, thanks to an initiative from the office of Councilmember Tyler Maxwell. The “On the Same Page” literature campaign, which launched a week ago, comes with the promise of dozens of new libraries to be installed around his district that covers east central Fresno – at least one per neighborhood, Maxwell said.”

‘He came through.’ Fresno residents thankful their streets finally repaved after 57 years | Opinion

(February 7, 2023)

“Listening to those complaints prompted Maxwell’s promise to fully reconstruct residential streets bordered by North Chestnut, East Clinton, North Winery and East Normal avenues during his first term in office. To help keep it, he volunteered for the council’s CDBG committee. “I was really bold when I told people I was going to take care of this in my first term,” Maxwell told me after the ceremony. “That put a lot of pressure on me, but that really guided me and my staff to stay focused.”