Mayor Lee Brand and Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer today issued the following statements in response to the news that Southwest Airlines announced their intention to launch its first-ever air service at Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) in Spring 2021:

“This is the best holiday present that Fresno could have imagined. Local travelers have been waiting patiently for quite some time for this announcement and Southwest service has been, by far, the most talked-about and requested amenity in the Central Valley,” said Mayor Brand.  “This is a big step in the right direction for Fresno, and with this increase in connectivity our airport is now poised to play a key role in our economic recovery. It’s a huge win for everyone.”

Mayor-elect Dyer stated, “Landing Southwest Airlines is a game-changer for Fresno in terms of economic development, as well as flexibility and convenience for leisure travel.  I look forward to continuing our discussions with Southwest Airlines officials as destination airports are finalized.” 

Mayor Lee Brand and City Manager Wilma Quan today announced that Juan F. “Paco” Balderrama will be Fresno’s next Chief of Police at a virtual press conference held at Police Headquarters.  Balderrama, a 21-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD), will become the first Hispanic Police Chief in Fresno’s history when he is sworn in on January 11, 2021.  Current Chief of Police Andrew Hall will officially retire on January 15, 2021.

“It has been clear from the start of this process that the residents of Fresno want a chief who can make dramatic changes, build trust in the community, and improve public safety for everyone and I believe we have found that leader in Paco Balderrama,” said Mayor Brand.  “We are thrilled to welcome Paco and his family to our great city and we know that he will meet the task of leading our police department with grace and humility.”

Chief Balderrama became the first Hispanic Deputy Police Chief in the history of the Oklahoma City Police Department in April 2019.  During his career at OCPD, he held a number of assignments including patrol officer, field training officer, and Public Information Officer.  Most recently, Chief Balderrama led the Special Operations Bureau which includes the Criminal Intelligence, Major Violators, the Violent Crime Apprehension Team, Youth Services and Emergency Services.

“The first thing you notice about Paco is his authenticity,” said City Manager Quan.  “He’s honest and straightforward, and everyone involved in the selection was impressed with his genuine desire to embrace the challenges of 21^st century policing.  I am certain he will bring people together to create achievable goals that everyone can buy into.”

In 2000, Chief Balderrama was named “Rookie of the Year” after his first full year of service in the Oklahoma City Police Department.  He was also awarded “2008 Outstanding Community Leader” by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was named one of the ‘12 Most Influential Hispanics in Oklahoma” by El Nacional newspaper in 2012.

His involvement in the Oklahoma City community includes serving as a past board member of the Latino Community Development Agency, the Wes Welker Foundation and the Oklahoma Police and Fire Athletic Association.  He is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma City’s Class IX and is a board member of The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, the University of Central Oklahoma Criminal Justice Program Advisory Board, and Good Shepard Clinic.

Chief Balderrama has a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma and is a graduate of the 269th Session of the FBI National Academy in 2017.  He has been married to his wife, Kyla, for 11 years and has three children, Hayden (10), Jude (8), and Jenson (7).

To improve pedestrian safety for students, the City of Fresno has activated the first pedestrian hybrid beacon in the City of Fresno, known as a “HAWK” (high intensity activated crosswalk).  The HAWK was installed by Clovis Unified School District at the intersection of Locan Avenue at Cortland Avenue, to provide increased pedestrian safety for the new Janet Young Elementary School.  The HAWK beacon is used to stop vehicular traffic and allow pedestrians to safely cross a street.  When activated by a pedestrian the HAWK will stop traffic on Locan Avenue allowing pedestrians to cross.  While HAWK beacons have been growing more common throughout the country, the City of Fresno desires to increase driver and pedestrian familiarity with this new technology.

Unlike an ordinary three-light traffic signal, the HAWK remains dark until a pedestrian presses the push button.  When pushed, the button activates a FLASHING YELLOW signal to alert approaching motorists that a pedestrian is present and that they should be prepared to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.  The FLASHING YELLOW display is followed in sequence by a SOLID YELLOW display and then by a SOLID RED.  SOLID RED requires drivers to stop until the pedestrian crosses the road.  The FLASHING RED allows traffic to process as long as there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk area.  The HAWK will then go dark until activated by the next pedestrian.

The pedestrian may start crossing the road when the WALK signal is shown on the display visible to them.  Following the WALK indication for pedestrians and during the SOLID RED interval for drivers, the countdown pedestrian signal will display a FLASHING DON’T WALK, then a SOLID DON’T WALK indication.  The FLASHING DON’T WALK indication means that a pedestrian should not step off the curb to begin crossing, but pedestrians already crossing will have time to get across the road before the SOLID RED signal for drivers ends. 

Two more HAWKS will also be in operation in the coming months.  They will be located on Fowler Avenue north of Jensen Avenue near the Sanger Unified Campus and at a trail crossing on Bryan Avenue south of Shaw Avenue.

For more information about the operation of the HAWK and upcoming locations visit https://www.fresno.gov/publicworks/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/10/Pedestrian-Hybrid-Beacon-Educational-Flyer.pdf

City of Fresno offices will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27, 2020.  Normal operations will resume on Monday, November 30.  Here is the schedule for City of Fresno operations for the holiday:

Airports:  Administrative offices closed;  Terminal, concessions and airlines normal operations otherwise.

Business License:  Office closed.  The Business Tax Web Renewal will be available for TOT (only) and new business tax online application submittals will be available throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

City Clerk’s Office:  Closed.

City Hall Offices:  Closed.

Code Enforcement:  Closed.

Dog License Division:  Closed.

Finance Offices:  Offices closed.  Business Tax TOT (only) Web Renewal and new business tax online application submittals will be available throughout the Thanksgiving holiday, November 26 and 27.

Fire/Police Departments:  Administrative offices and public counters will be closed.  Normal operations otherwise.

Fresno Area Express:  Administrative offices closed.  FAX service is closed on Thanksgiving Day but will resume service on Friday, November 27, with Sunday bus routes/schedule in effect.  Administrative offices remain closed; call (559) 621-7433 for details. FAX route maps and schedules are available on the City’s website.

Parking Division:  No enforcement at parking meters and City parking facilities on Thursday and Friday.  Office closed for citation payments both days.  Online services available at www.fresno.gov/parking.

Parks and Recreation (PARCS):  Administrative offices closed.  Woodward and Roeding Parks will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Holiday parking fee of $7 per car will be collected.  All other parks will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Field and park lights are turned off at 5:00 p.m.  Picnic shelters, recreation centers, and the Regional Sports Complex remain closed due to COVID-19.

Personnel:  Closed. Online applications accepted at www.fresno.gov/jobs.

Planning and Development:  Office closed.  Permit applications can be submitted, and progress can be monitored, online through our FAASTER portal at any time during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Public Utilities:  Offices closed.

Public Works:  Offices closed.

Purchasing:  Office closed; Bid opportunities and updated information are available on the City’s website, under the “For Businesses” tab, then click on bid opportunities.

Rental Housing:  Closed

Residential Solid Waste:  Administrative offices closed.  There will be no collection service on Thursday.  On Friday, November 27, the regular schedule for Thursday trash, recyclables, and green waste collection will be followed.  On Saturday, November 28, the regular schedule for Friday trash, recyclables, and green waste collection will be followed.  Regular service will resume on Monday, November 30.  For questions regarding residential solid waste collection, please call the Solid Waste Management Division at (559) 621-1452.

Utility Payments/Business Tax:  Payment counters closed (Fresno City Hall and Manchester Center) remain closed due to COVID-19.  Online and phone transactions available for utility payments.

For urgent matters during the Thanksgiving holiday, please call 3-1-1 or use our FresGO mobile app.

The City of Fresno today released the following statement regarding the  announcement by Governor Newsom’s office establishing a limited stay at home order for all purple tier counties, including Fresno County, for the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., starting Saturday, November 21, 2020:

“In light of the steep surge in positive cases we are currently experiencing, and as with other COVID-19 orders designed to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, the City of Fresno is asking our residents to voluntarily comply with the State’s limited stay-at-home directive.  Our police department will concentrate on their regular responsibilities to serve and protect the people of Fresno.”