The City of Fresno, Solid Waste Management Division, will observe the Thanksgiving Holiday on Thursday, November 26, 2020.  There will be no service on this day. 

We will resume service the following day and provide trash, recyclables and green waste collection as follows:

Thursday, November 26, 2020 – Thanksgiving Holiday, No service

Friday, November 27, 2020 – Thursday’s trash, recyclables and green waste will be collected.

Saturday, November 28, 2020 – Friday’s trash, recyclables and green waste will be collected.

Our business office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, 2020.

For questions regarding your residential holiday service schedule, please call the Solid Waste Management Division at (559) 621-1452.

Mayor Lee Brand and Fresno City Council have discussed how the City of Fresno will move forward with the State of California’s announcement that Fresno County has been moved from Tier 2 designation (or red tier) to the State’s Tier 1 (or purple designation), the most restrictive COVID-19 level.  The updated tier assignment, released by Governor Gavin Newsom today, immediately shuts down all indoor dining activity for restaurants along with indoor operations for other local businesses as of 11:59 p.m. tonight.

Mayor Brand stated, “We expect our local businesses to comply voluntarily with the new restrictions while the City continues to focus on our policy to ‘fix, not fine’ in order to protect the health and safety of our residents.  My own brush with COVID-19 reinforces the need for everyone to follow the guidelines and stop the spread of this pandemic.”

Council President Miguel Arias added, “We can’t take any more chances with the safety of our community, so we all need to do our part to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 infection.  Code Enforcement will continue to educate Fresno businesses to protect the public health and will reserve enforcement for egregious violators not following health guidelines. ”

The City of Fresno announced today that it is expanding its multi-phased approach to safely re-open City Hall to the public with the opening of the Public Works Traffic Division for limited virtual appointments effective Monday, November 16, 2020.  Virtual appointments will be taken for Tuesdays and Wednesdays only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and limited to 15-20 minutes per customer.  Drop off and pick of plans will still occur at the First Floor entrance only.

Public Works traffic services shall only include appointments for general questions regarding procedures and standards.

Contact Ezra Cato Scott at (559) 621-8793 or Luis Maya at (559) 621-8807 to make an appointment. 

Customers are still encouraged to conduct as much business as possible by phone or online. Permit applications can be submitted, and progress can be monitored, through our FAASTER portal at https://www.fresno.gov/darm then clicking Submit, Review or Search for an Application.

In addition, the City’s Planning and Development Department will continue to offer appointments in the Building Division and Current Planning Division now in virtual format effective Monday, November 16, 2020.  Virtual appointments will be taken for Tuesdays and Wednesday only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and limited to 15-20 minutes per customer.  Drop off and pick of plans will still occur at First Floor entrance only.

Building & Safety services shall include the following items only:

• HVAC Changeouts
• Re-roof permits
• Water heaters
• Electric panel change-outs

Planning services shall include the following items only:

• General inquiries regarding zoning or property information
• General inquiries regarding the application and approval process
• Public document viewing
• Application submittal assistance
• Zone Clearance submittal

If you have any questions about scheduling an appointment please contact Kristine Longoria, Building, at (559) 621-8082 or Cecilia Lopez, Planning at (559) 621-8054.

In an effort to limit the amount of interpersonal contact, the City continues to offer a variety of options for anyone wishing, or needing, to conduct business with the City of Fresno. See the City’s website at www.fresno.gov for more information.

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.

The City of Fresno today announced the launch of the Save our Non-Profits Grant Program.  The program is designed to assist Fresno non-profit organizations that are physically located in the City of Fresno, and have been greatly impacted and unable to raise enough money to support their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  These organizations include emergency services for displaced families, veterans, seniors, children and youth, as well as domestic violence victims and the unemployed.  Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 20.

In October, Fresno City Council allocated $500,000 in grant funding for eligible City of Fresno non-profits.  Organizations can receive amounts of $5,000 – $20,000 depending on annual operating budget of the non-profit and can be used to cover things such as payroll and benefit costs, rent/mortgage payments, utility fees (except for utilities provided by the City of Fresno), property capital improvements related to social distancing or other public health requirements, operational, equipment or property modifications to adapt to longer-term changes in customer behavior.

Economic Development Director, Lupe Perez, stated, “While our small businesses have been impacted by COVID-19, we recognize the pandemic has also been difficult for the non-profit sector.  It is our hope that the Save Our Non-Profits Grant Program will help support these organizations as they navigate through the hardships in these unprecedented times.  We want to make sure they have the economic stability to continue the good work they provide to the community.”

Grant funds may only be used to directly support services provided primarily to City of Fresno residents; they may not be used to provide grants or funding for other organizations, medical or scientific research, scholarships or tuition.  Eligible non-profits must have a minimum annual reported revenue of at least $5,000, have been in operation in the City of Fresno for at least a year prior to March 4, 2020.

The Save Our Non-Profits Grant Program is in addition to, and separate from, the funding dedicated to the Fresno Arts and Culture Emergency Relief Grant Program to help museums, performing arts programs, and local artists, which is administered by the Fresno Arts Council.  Applicants must apply separately for these two grant opportunities.

For a complete list of eligibility requirements – including the types of non-profits that are eligible – or to apply, please visit https://www.fresno.gov/mayor/economic-development/save-our-non-profit-grants/

City of Fresno offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11.  The delivery of some City services may be affected by the holiday as well.  Normal operations will resume on Thursday, November 12.  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 Veterans Day holiday.

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 Veterans Day holiday.

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

Fresno Area Express:  Administrative offices closed.  Sunday bus routes/schedule in effect.  Call 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 Veterans Day.  Office closed for citation payments.  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 Veterans Day holiday.

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.  Normal residential and commercial collection schedule; for questions regarding residential solid waste collection, please call the Solid Waste Management Division at (559) 621-1452.

Utility Payments:  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 Veterans Day holiday, please call 3-1-1 or use our FresGO mobile app.

The City of Fresno today announced that the Planning and Development Department will offer limited appointments at its public services counter in the Building Division and Current Planning Division, effective Monday, October 26, 2020.  Appointments will be taken for Tuesdays and Wednesday only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and limited to 15-20 minutes per customer.  Drop off and pick of plans will still occur at First Floor entrance only.

Building & Safety services shall include the following items only:

HVAC Changeouts

Re-roof permits

Water heaters

Electric panel change outs

Planning services shall include the following items only:

General inquiries regarding zoning or property information

General inquiries regarding the application and approval process

Public document viewing

Application submittal assistance

Zone Clearance submittal

Customers are still encouraged to conduct as much business as possible by phone or online. Permit applications can be submitted, and progress can be monitored, through our FAASTER portal at https://www.fresno.gov/darm, then clicking Submit, Review or Search for an Application.

If you have any questions on scheduling an appointment please contact Kristine Longoria, Building, at 559-621-8082 or Cecilia Lopez, Planning at 621-8054.

Please note that meetings regarding specific projects that are under review will not be conducted in person, and are to be conducted virtually only.

“Our highest priority remains keeping our community and our employees safe,” said Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan. “We continue to work closely with the County and State Health Departments to support a safe and responsible reopening of the services available at City Hall.”

The City will implement health and safety guidelines recommended by public health authorities to reopen safely and responsibly, including, but not limited to:

·       Physical distancing to the maximum extent possible, including the installation of protective barriers at front counters and social distancing floor markings

·       Requiring customers to use personal face coverings inside City buildings

·       Requiring employees to use personal face coverings when interacting with customers and when physical distancing is not possible between employees

·       Frequent handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces

·       Posting of recommend behaviors for employees and visitors in prominent areas

In an effort to limit the amount of interpersonal contact, the City continues to offer a variety of options for anyone wishing, or needing, to conduct business with the City of Fresno. See the City’s website at www.fresno.gov for more information.

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.

The City of Fresno’s Economic Development Department announced today that it will begin accepting applications for a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) that will provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Fresno.  The City was awarded $830,000 in CARES Act Recovery Assistance funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) earlier this year.

“I am pleased with the progress the City is making on investing our CARES Act funds to provide much-needed relief to our residents and businesses,” said Fresno Mayor Lee Brand.  “We must continue to support our local business owners as they meet the financial challenges of this crisis and provide the assistance they need to stay open and remain active.”

The individual loans offered through this program range between $10,000 and $100,000 and are designed to be easier to qualify for than traditional loans.  Businesses located in the City of Fresno that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to apply through the Cen Cal Business Finance Group, which is administering the RLF.

“The City of Fresno’s Economic Development Team is proud of the success we have had in assisting our small businesses throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic and we are excited to be able to offer even further support through this new Revolving Loan Fund Program,” said Economic Development Director Lupe Perez.  “It is my hope that this money will help businesses to grow and be successful as we all learn to adapt to a new way of doing business.”

Frank Gallegos, Executive Director of Cen Cal Business Finance Group, added,  “We at Cen Cal Business Finance are excited for the opportunity to support Fresno’s small business community with the new CARES Act RLF.  We have been assisting Fresno businesses for over 35 years and we look forward to getting this money out quickly.”

Contact Cen Cal Business Finance Group at (559) 227-1158 or [email protected] for more information.

EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance, which is being administered under the authority of the bureau’s flexible Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) (PDF) program, provides a wide-range of financial assistance to eligible communities and regions as they respond to and recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. For complete information, please visit our recently updated EDA CARES Act Recovery Assistance page.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

Mayor Lee Brand and Fresno City Council have discussed how the City of Fresno will move forward with the movement of Fresno County from the State of California’s Tier 1 designation (or purple tier, the most restrictive level) to the State’s Tier 2 or red designation.  The updated tier assignment, announced by the California Department of Public Health today, allows for the opening of more businesses for indoor activity with modifications for capacity and safety protocols.

Mayor Brand and City Council stated, “The City of Fresno will be working with our local businesses to open safely, following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local health guidelines.  Code Enforcement will continue to focus its resources on educating our businesses to protect the public health and will reserve penalties for egregious violators not following health guidelines.

“As always, we remind our residents that, as more businesses reopen, we all need to do our part to protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 infection.  Our best defense is to continue with the existing health and safety protocols—wear a mask, keep a safe distance from others and wash your hands frequently.”

City Manager Wilma Quan today released the following statement with respect to public concerns over the report made by the Office of Independent Review (OIR) regarding the London Wallace incident:

“In order to address public comments over the issue of transparency, I have consulted with our Independent Reviewer and he has agreed to publish a special supplement to the 2020 2nd Quarter Office of Independent Review report outlining his review of the London Wallace incident.  We both felt this was the best course of action to provide clarity and to satisfy concerns from not only the public but from our elected officials. 

“As with all OIR reports, documents cannot be released without a review by our legal counsel to ensure that both the rights of the complaining party and the officers involved are protected.  This due diligence is necessary to protect the City of Fresno from further liability and with this process in mind, the report will be released no later than the end of next week.  This is a unique situation and future releases will conform to the normal quarterly OIR report schedule.”