Mayor Lee Brand and City Manager Wilma Quan today announced that Lupe Perez has been hired as Director of Economic Development for the City of Fresno.

“This is a key position for City Hall and I think we are incredibly fortunate to have someone as competent and well-respected as Lupe to lead our economic development efforts.  Her expertise in development is perfectly suited with the Administration’s mission to attract new businesses to Fresno and helping existing ones grow.” said City Manager Quan.

Perez had previously served as the City of Fresno’s Downtown Revitalization Manager since June 2014.  She was involved in advancing the Mayor’s downtown revitalization efforts, facilitated development, business attraction, and retention, addressed unique downtown design and land use issues, planned events and festivals on the Fulton Street and kept the public engaged in the revitalization process.

“I’ve worked with Lupe since the day I first started serving as a Councilmember and have always found her to be talented and conscientious with excellent people skills and an equally impressive reputation in the local business community. I’m especially pleased that Lupe shares my vision for job creation and is ready to hit the ground running to help us build on our momentum and continue to improve the quality of life for everyone in Fresno.” added Mayor Brand.

Prior to coming to City Hall, Lupe spent 16 years working for the former City of Fresno Redevelopment Agency in various capacities including Project Coordinator and Project Manager.  There she was involved in the Agency’s downtown revitalization efforts through business attraction and retention, facilitating development, land acquisition, relocation, and property disposition.  She also successfully cultivated exceptional relationships within the community to promote and expand economic development opportunities.

“The EDC is pleased to join the City of Fresno in welcoming its new Director of Economic Development Lupe Perez to the team. I have been working closely with Lupe for the past 10 years and I know she will bring her many years of experience and enthusiasm to the position,” said Lee Ann Eager, President, and CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation.  “I am looking forward to many more years of working together to ensure that Fresno is the perfect place to start and grow a business.”

City of Fresno offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2019.  The delivery of some City services may be affected.  Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, September 3.  Here is the schedule for City of Fresno operations for the holiday:

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

Building & Permitting:  Office closed.  Permit applications can be submitted, and progress can be monitored, online through our FAASTER portal at any time during the Labor Day holiday.

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 Labor 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 Labor Day holiday.

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

Fresno Area Express:  Administrative offices closed.  Weekend 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 Labor Day.  Office closed for citation payments. 

Parks and Recreation (PARCS):  Administrative offices closed.  Parks facilities and recreation centers operating with normal schedule.

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

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.)  Online and phone transactions are available for utility payments.

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

City of Fresno offices will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, 2019.  The delivery of some City services may be affected.  Normal operations will resume on Friday, July 5.  Here is the schedule for City of Fresno operations for the holiday:

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

Building & Permitting:  Office closed.  Permit applications can be submitted, and progress can be monitored, online through our FAASTER portal at any time during the Independence Day holiday.

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 Independence Day holiday.

City Clerk’s Office:  Closed.

City Hall Offices:  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 Independence Day holiday.

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

Fresno Area Express:  Administrative offices closed.  Weekend 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 Independence Day.  Office closed for citation payments. 

Parks and Recreation (PARCS):  Administrative offices closed.  Parks facilities and recreation centers operating with normal schedule.

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 Independence 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.

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.)  Online and phone transactions available for utility payments.

For urgent matters during the Independence Day holiday, please call 621-CITY (2489) or use our FresGO mobile app.

Mayor Lee Brand today made the following statement about his intention to veto the FY2020 budget approved by the Fresno City Council:

“The City Council is voting tomorrow on a Fiscal Year 2020 budget that is proposing to spend $1.16 million more that the City has in available revenue to spend.  This comes seven months after voters overwhelmingly amended the City Charter to require a balanced budget.  I sent the Council a letter this afternoon stating that I will use the budget line-item veto power granted to the Mayor in the City Charter to balance this budget.

“My entire career has been focused on establishing and maintaining fiscal responsibility when spending taxpayer money.  The budget I approve will be balanced so that expenditures do not exceed revenues and I may have to use the Mayor’s line-item veto authority to get there.

“A balanced budget is of paramount importance, but so is maintaining the integrity of the reserve, which is vital in the event of an economic downturn – a real possibility in the near future.  I do not support any attempt by the Council to reduce or eliminate the Emergency Reserve, which also became part of the City Charter because of a ballot I co-sponsored in November 2012.  In addition to the Charter, there are other resolutions, ordinances and policies which require the City to maintain a 10% Reserve in order to continue providing top quality services to our residents in times of economic distress, such as what occurred just a few short years ago.

“I believe the Council and I agree on about 99.7% of what is contained in the City Budget and I think it is a healthy sign for our democracy that we can have robust and spirited public and private conversations on the few things in the 0.3% where we don’t agree.  I have made it abundantly clear to the Council and the people of Fresno that my approach has always been to deal with budget issues in a fair, reasonable, and consistent manner, and I will continue to work diligently and collaboratively to improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Fresno home.”

The City of Fresno, Solid Waste Management Division, will provide regular residential waste collection service on Thursday, July 4, 2019.  Our once-a-week collection of residential trash, recyclables, and green waste will remain on its original service schedule, uninterrupted by the Holiday.  Our business office will be closed.

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

The City of Fresno begins its three-day watering schedule on Saturday, June 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 9:00 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.

City of Fresno offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, 2019.  The delivery of some City services may be affected.  Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, May 28.  Here is the schedule for City of Fresno operations for the holiday:

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

Building & Permitting:  Office closed.  Permit applications can be submitted, and progress can be monitored, online through our FAASTER portal at any time during the Memorial Day holiday.

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 Memorial Day holiday.

City Clerk’s Office:  Closed.

City Hall Offices:  Closed.

Development and Resource Management:  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 Memorial Day holiday.

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

Fresno Area Express:  Administrative offices closed.  Weekend 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 Memorial Day.  Office closed for citation payments. 

Parks and Recreation (PARCS):  Administrative offices closed.  Parks facilities and recreation centers operating with normal schedule.

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

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.

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.)  Online and phone transactions available for utility payments.

For urgent matters during the Memorial Day holiday, please call (559) 621-CITY (2489) or use our FresGO mobile app.

Mayor Lee Brand, along with City Manager Wilma Quan, today announced the proposed City of Fresno budget for Fiscal Year 2020 during a press conference at City Hall.  The $1.187 billion budget, which includes $346 million for the General Fund, puts an emphasis on continuing the City’s long-term financial stability, with a focus on economic development and job creation, improving public safety and creating a more business friendly climate while looking for innovative and new revenue streams to fund the City’s core services.

“This budget represents our continued strategy to use a sensible and balanced approach … to make our City a better and safer place to live, work, raise our children and enjoy life,” said Mayor Brand. “That’s why we are focused every day on creating an economy that works for everyone to transform our narrative from poverty to prosperity with the goal of improving the quality of life for everyone in Fresno.”

The proposed FY 2020 budget represents a balanced approach to rebuilding the financial health of the City and maintaining core municipal services.  Among the highlights, the FY 2020 budget:

• Replaces 71 police vehicles, continuing the process of replacing the City’s aging fleet, and upgrading equipment.
• Funds the construction of the urgently needed Fire Station 18 and a new nine-person company in the Metro area, which increases minimum daily staffing to 80.
• Increases the PARCS budget by 4.6% to build a new BMX park, tot lots at Tupman, Dickey and JSK Parks and a new Challenger Course at Romain Park.
• Builds newrestroom facilities and field lights at Hinton Park; and completion of Maxie L. Parks Urban Forest.
• Also includes funding to funding to pave 74 lane miles of road and complete the conversion of 38,000 street lights to energy-saving LED fixtures, which will save Fresno taxpayers an estimated $1.6 million a year.
• Completes $3.1 million in tree-damaged concrete repairs to our sidewalks; $1.1 million for the Olive Avenue Tower District project to address deferred pavement maintenance and provide a more pedestrian-friendly district.
• Funds over $3.6 million for projects west of State Route 99, including funding to start construction of the Midtown Trail and matching funds for our Transformative Climate Communities program.
• Projects the projected General Fund Reserve to be $34 million by the end of the current fiscal year which is the highest reserve in our City’s history and achieves the goal of having a reserve equal to about 10% of our General Fund budget.

City Manager Quan added, “These investments clearly show our continued commitment to the Mayor’s key initiatives of economic prosperity, quality of life, and public safety – while maintaining the fiscal prudence that has earned Fresno the reputation of being one of the best-run cities in America.”

Mayor Brand will present the proposed budget to Fresno City Council at its meeting on Monday, June 3, 2019. The City of Fresno’s budget must be adopted by June 30, per the city charter.

The full FY2020 Budget Proposal can be viewed online at www.fresno.gov/budget.

Mayor Lee Brand today made the following announcement about the 2020 mayoral campaign:

“Last month, I turned 70 years old and the occasion caused me to reflect on my life, my career and my time as your Mayor.  As a result of this self-reflection, I had an open and honest discussion with my family about seeking a second term.  The overwhelming consensus was that it was time I move on.  My wife wants to travel and I want to spend more time with my grandchildren.

“Therefore, I have decided to announce that I will not run for a second term as Mayor of Fresno. 

“I have a little over 19 months left to complete my term and my vision remains constant: create economic prosperity for our City, improve public safety, improve the quality of life for all and unify Fresno.  For my remaining time in office, I will stay focused on moving that vision forward.

“The people of Fresno and their needs are more important than my political plans.  Not running for a second term will allow me to devote my full attention to moving this City forward. Running for a second term as Mayor would consume time and energy that is better used to achieve my vision.

“Not having the burden of re-election gives me the freedom to devote all of my energy to improving our community. I will keep the ‘pedal to the metal’ until my last day in office.

“For the past 18 years, I have served this City, as a planning commissioner, City Councilmember and Mayor and I have no regrets. I love Fresno and its people and I’m forever grateful to have the opportunity to serve as Mayor of this great City.

“I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my family, the incredible employees of the City of Fresno and all those who have supported my vision and stood beside me as we worked toward a better Fresno.  I ask you to join my quest to finish strong over the next 19 months. Thank you!”

The entry fee for the City of Fresno Regional Parks – Woodward Park, Roeding Park, and the Regional Sports Complex – will be $7 on Sunday, April 21, 2019, due to the Easter Holiday.

The Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department institutes the $7 fee as part of its holiday schedule.  Those holidays are  Easter, Cinco de Mayo (closest weekend), Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day (observed), and Labor Day.  The normal park entrance fee is $5.  The entrance fee for senior citizens, age 65 or older, is $3.

There is no overflow parking available and “No Parking On The Grass” signs will be placed at various locations.  Each regional parks will be closed to vehicles when the park reaches capacity and reopened as parking spaces become available.  There will be events at Storyland & Playland, as well as visitors to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, thus making occasional closures to Roeding Park likely.

Park goers parking in surrounding neighborhoods are asked not to block residential or commercial driveways.  Residents whose access to their property is impeded by parked vehicles can call 311 to have the parked vehicle cited.

Park entrance fee will be waived for motor vehicles displaying a valid Disabled person Placard/Decal, to active duty U.S. Military members (with proper identification) or driver, or motor vehicles displaying a California State “Gold Star” license plate.