Effective immediately, all City public meetings, including but not limited to Planning Commission and Council meetings, shall be conducted electronically through web services and telephone.

“In an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and flatten the curve, City Council meetings will be held electronically while providing the public several options to participate,” said Fresno Council President Miguel Arias.  “This action allows us to ensure the health and safety of our essential employees and the public.”

As stated in an emergency order from the City Manager, council chambers are to be closed to the public until further notice.

Beginning April 9th, Councilmembers and the public will join council meetings via Zoom, a web conference tool. The public will be able to provide comments during the council meeting via Zoom’s web platform or phone number.  A designated phone line will offer Spanish and Hmong translation for a specific item on Thursday’s agenda.

Written comments will also be accepted and entered into the record throughout the meeting via the City Clerk’s existing E-Comments software and email.

Meetings will continue to be streamed on CMAC.tv via Channel 96 (Comcast) or 99 (AT&T) and from the City’s website at https://fresno.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

For additional information, please contact Council President Miguel Arias at 559-906-1443

Mayor Lee Brand today announced that the City of Fresno’s Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department will be closing all City-owned parks on Easter Weekend, Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, 2020.  The closure includes the City’s two regional parks, Roeding and Woodward.

Traditionally, these are two of the busiest days for Fresno parks and they attract large crowds of people.  Mayor Brand made the difficult decision with an abundance of caution to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

“My deep concern is that we have not seen the worst of COVID-19 in Fresno and closing our parks on Easter Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 11th and 12th is a necessary measure to reduce the number of people that could be exposed to it,” said Mayor Brand. “I fully understand and appreciate the sacrifices all of us have to make in the coming days. I know there are trying times ahead with a foreboding health crisis moving rapidly in our direction.”

The City plans to re-open parks on Monday, April 13, with the goal of keeping them open through this pandemic as long as they remain safe environments.

The City of Fresno’s Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department today announced the temporary closure of all playground equipment at City parks due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, effective immediately.  

The decision was made in accordance with the latest recommendations from the National Parks and Recreation Association to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and with an abundance of caution due to the inability to adequately disinfect and sanitize the equipment after every use.

Closed areas will be identified with signage and playground structures will be wrapped protectively where feasible.  City parks and trails will remain open and available for biking, walking and running.  When using these amenities, protect the health of yourself, your family and the community by practicing social distancing, making sure there is at least 6 feet between you and other patrons.

This is a rapidly changing situation and the City of Fresno is monitoring it closely and continuously communicating with other government and health agencies.  The City takes the health and safety of our community seriously and will continue to provide updates and take additional measures as needed for the safety of our residents and employees as the situation warrants.

Please visit our City’s website at www.fresno.gov/coronavirus/ for all COVID-19-related updates and information or call the City’s non-emergency hotline at 3-1-1.

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 begins its three-day watering schedule on Wednesday, April 1, and will remain in effect through October.

The three-day watering schedule is in place to reflect residents’ need to provide more water for their lawns and gardens during the dry summer months.

Residents with addresses ending in odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9) are permitted to water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  Residents with addresses ending in even numbers (0,2,4,6,8) are permitted to water on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.  No watering is allowed on Mondays or on any day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

On April 11, 2019, the Fresno City Council approved a new, simplified watering schedule.  The City will implement a three-day watering schedule during the months of April through October and a one-day watering schedule for the months of November through March.  The City of Fresno continues to urge its residents to conserve water as much as possible.

Fresno Mayor Lee Brand today announced that Emergency Order 2020-02 calling for all individuals living in the City of Fresno to shelter at their place of residence, except to provide or receive essential services or engage in essential activities, has been extended through midnight Sunday, April 12, 2020.  The new emergency order, 2020-08, was signed by City Manager Wilma Quan this morning and all other terms of Emergency Order 2020-02 remain unchanged.

“The decisions I have had to make regarding the City’s response to the coronavirus have been the most difficult I have ever had to make, and it all boils down to what is most important: to protect the lives of as many people as I possibly can,” said Mayor Brand. “I fully understand the economic impact these orders have on our community, and my hope, my prayer, is to get people back to work, back to school and back to a normal life as soon as we safely can.  In the meantime, I ask everyone in the City of Fresno to join me in following this order to flatten the curve and protect their own health, the health of their family and friends and the health of the entire community.”

The original emergency order was set to expire on March 31, 2020 and may be extended again.

For the latest information on all City-issued emergency orders and other coronavirus-related decisions, call 3-1-1 or visit the City of Fresno website at www.fresno.gov.

We encourage you to visit www.cdc.gov to learn more about COVID-19 and follow the Fresno County Department of Public Health website for regular updates.

The Mayor’s declaration of emergency encouraged outdoor exercise as long as the public maintains a physical distance of 6 feet from people who are not family members.

In order to protect the health of the entire community and promote social distancing, the City is closing all parking lots to City parks where feasible until further notice.  The lot closures take effect Wednesday, March 25, and includes Woodward and Roeding Parks.

We remind everyone that it’s important for all of us to change our behaviors and keep the entire community safe.  Get some exercise, hike, walk or run the trails, but not near other people.  Walk your dog, but not around dozens of others.

Be safe, be sensible, be respectful.

Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan today signed an executive order updating the City of Fresno’s state of emergency regarding workplace restrictions on persons 65 years of age or older.

The Order states that businesses and institutions with employees 65 years of age or older, and those who are classified as vulnerable to COVID-19 by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), are strongly urged to release those employees to stay at home, and when possible, work from home, effective immediately.

The following are exempt from this order:

• Healthcare professionals
• First responders, support staff, and other essential emergency response personnel
• Sole proprietors of any business that is permitted to remain open
• Those who work in critical infrastructure sectors, including, but not limited to, public works construction, construction of housing (in particular affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services)
• Those who perform essential government functions and services needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

This Order allows and encourages people 65 to work from home or participate telephonically or electronically from home in any business activity.

A copy of the Executive Order is attached and will be posted on the City of Fresno website, as well as the latest information on services and events, at www.fresno.gov.

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.

Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan today signed an Executive Order updating the City of Fresno’s state of emergency, stating that City employees who are directed to remain home shall not be required to expend accrued leave time or take leave without pay.

City employees who elect to stay home, with approval of their appointing authority, for health, childcare, or other family care reasons, may utilize any accrued leave balance for that purpose; if all leave balances are exhausted, then the employee may “borrow” against future leave balance accruals for leave taken during the emergency.

City officials, department directors, or their designees shall have full authority to modify work schedules, including hours of work and days off for employees or direct employees to “work out of class” as deemed necessary to enforce this Order.

Non-essential City services shall be modified, including and processing of development applications, permits, and entitlements.

A copy of the executive order is attached and will be posted on the City of Fresno website, as well as the latest information on services and events, at www.fresno.gov.

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.

Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan today signed an Executive Order updating the City of Fresno’s state of emergency, calling for all individuals living in the city of Fresno to shelter at their place of residence to ensure the maximum number of people self-isolate while enabling essential services to continue.  The goal of the Order is to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the maximum extent possible.  Residences include single-family homes, hotels, motels, shared rental units, and similar facilities.

Residents should stay home, especially vulnerable populations, unless you are leaving home to get food, care for others or pets, access necessary health care, or go to an essential job. It is permissible to use outdoor spaces for activities such as walking, biking, hiking or running if you are not in a group and following social distancing guidelines.

All businesses with the exception of Essential Businesses as defined below are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the City except for minimum basic operations.

The following businesses are deemed Essential Services:

• City/County government services including police stations, fire stations, hospitals/clinics and healthcare operations, jails, courts, garbage/sanitation, transportation services, utilities (water, waste water, and solid waste)
• Educational institutions—including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities—for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions
• Construction of housing (particularly affordable housing)
• Internet and telecommunications systems
• Gas stations, auto supply, auto-repair, and related facilities
• Pharmacies
• Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out, and delivery restaurants
• Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
• Hardware stores, office supply stores, plumbers, electricians, HVAC companies, exterminators and sanitation service providers
• Banks and related financial institutions
• Professional services (Legal, accounting only as needed to assist with legally mandated activities)
• Businesses that service low-income or vulnerable populations
• Businesses that provide mailing and shipping services
• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry services
• Hotels providing shelter
• Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
• Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children
• Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers

Businesses deemed non-essential include:

• Amusement centers
• Salons, barbers, day spas
• Auto sales
• Other retail
• Clothing, bookstores
• Private clubs, health clubs, and gyms
• Industrial and manufacturing not related to an essential function

This is not an exhaustive list.  For more information, see Emergency Order 2020-002, or call (559) 621-8400.

The following City-owned or controlled facilities shall remain closed to the public: Selland Arena, Saroyan Theater, Exhibit Halls, Convention Center, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Rotary Playland, Storyland, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, the Meux Home, Shinzen Garden, all community centers (except for any emergency operations), and sports facilities, including Granite Park, Southwest Regional, and others. Park green space shall remain open, but with no gatherings larger than 10 people.

This Order allows and encourages people 65 to work from home or participate telephonically or electronically from home in any business activity.

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