City Announces New Coronavirus Policy to Protect Public

Based on recommendations from the Governor’s Office and the Fresno County Department of Public Health, Mayor Lee Brand and City Manager Wilma Quan today announced the City of Fresno is strongly recommending postponement or cancellation of all non-essential public community events, group activities with 250 or more participants,  and any gathering that requires close contact between vulnerable individuals. 

The recommendation follows statewide guidelines issued late Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom, which detail a new California Department of Public Health policy that includes a recommendation to cancel or postpone all gatherings of 250 people or more, along with additional strategies to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19.

“We’re taking sensible and reasonable steps to keep our community safe and informed,” said Mayor Brand. “Our reality is changing on a daily basis and we are in regular communication with the Governor’s office as well as County public health officials, who are doing an exceptional job at guiding the public and affected organizations through a very anxious time.”

The Administration is also canceling all City-produced events, meetings or conferences that are anticipated to attract more than 250 people.  City staff is working to determine which events will be affected by this decision.

City officials have contacted the operators of City-owned venues including the Convention Center, Selland Arena, the Saroyan Theater, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, and Granite Park to recommend actions that will reduce exposure from large public gatherings. Changes in events at those venues will be made in cooperation with event promoters.

For the latest information on event status, call 3-1-1 or visit the City of Fresno website at www.fresno.gov.

In an effort to reduce the number of visitors at City Hall, the City of Fresno offers a variety of options for anyone wishing, or needing, to conduct business with the City of Fresno:

Business License: Applications for, or renewals of, business licenses or business tax certificates can be done online at www.fresno.gov/finance.  Customers can drop off their business tax payments in the Drop Box just inside the first floor doors of City Hall.  Our Frequently Asked Questions section has useful answers to many common questions, or you may contact our Customer Service division at (559) 621-6880 or businesstax@fresno.gov.

City Clerk’s Office: For information about the Fresno Municipal Code, Campaign Finance Statements, Public Records Requests, information about Ordinances, Resolutions and Agenda Packets, or other legislative-related matters please visit www.fresno.gov/cityclerk.

Code Enforcement: Code enforcement issues can be reported through the FresGO mobile app or by calling 3-1-1.

PARCS Department:

Senior Programs –  Non-meal activity has been suspended and staff is transitioning from communal meals to box lunches. The hours of operation are from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Pot of Gold Senior Dance at Ted C. Wills on March 21, 2020, has been canceled.

Special Event Permits – Applications for permits have been suspended through March

Bitty Tee Ball – Suspended through March.

Youth Basketball – Suspended through March.

Parking Division: Visit www.fresno.gov/parking to apply for, or purchase, residential parking permits or to pay or appeal a parking citation.

Planning and Development: Permit applications can be submitted and progress can be monitored online through our FAASTER portal.  The FAASTER portal can be accessed by visiting www.fresno.gov/darm then clicking Submit, Review or Search for an Application.

Purchasing: Bid opportunities and updated information are available on the City’s website, under the “Doing Business” tab, then click on bid opportunities.

Utility Payments: Utility payments can be made through various methods.

1)    Online at www.fresno.gov/publicutilities then clicking the Utility Billing: Payment & Fees box.

2)    By mail:

                  City of Fresno

                  Utilities Billing and Collection Division

                  P.O. Box 2069

                  Fresno, CA 93718-2069

3)    Via phone by calling 559-621-6888 (Credit card payments only).

4)    Drop off: A Drop Box just inside the doors of the first floor at City Hall, before passing security.

Constituents are encouraged to visit www.cdc.gov to learn more about COVID-19 and follow the Fresno County Department of Public Health for regular updates.