Mayor Lee Brand today issued the following statement on the Measure P election results:

“The results for Measure P are bittersweet for me.  I agree that Fresno’s parks need to be improved and expanded, but a 30-year tax with a $2 billion price tag was not the answer.  I respect the hard work and passion of everyone involved with the Yes on P campaign and I believe once we’re able to move past the results, we will come together for the benefit of the people of Fresno.

“Now the real work begins.  Starting today, I will call on my friends on both sides of this issue to join me in developing sensible solutions for Fresno’s biggest problems with the first of many meetings starting in January.  This means parks and public safety but could also include homelessness, blight, job creation, and infrastructure.  We need a broad-based approach to address all of our city’s priorities reasonably and fairly.

“As Mayor, my first and foremost job is the safety and well-being of the people of this great community.  I will continue that focus today and every day that I am your Mayor”

The City of Fresno will begin its one-day a week watering schedule on November 1, 2018.  This schedule applies to the months of November through March.  The new schedule is designed to coincide with the cooler temperatures during this time of year.

Residents with addresses ending in an odd number (1,3,5,7,9) are authorized to water on Saturdays.  Residents with addresses ending in an even number (0,2,4,6,8) are authorized to water on Sundays.  Outdoor watering is not allowed Mondays through Fridays or between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day.

Customers may call (559) 621-5480 or email [email protected] for help setting their sprinkler timers.

The City of Fresno today announced the launch of a new Fulton District mobile app that features information of interest about landmarks, artwork, amenities, and history in the Fulton District, which includes the area on and surrounding the recently re-opened Fulton Street between Tuolumne and Inyo.

Users can locate the public art along Fulton Street, discover the names of the artwork, learn about the artists who created the pieces, view pictures, and take a 3D interactive walk around each piece of public art. The artwork can be searched by name or location and provides walking or driving directions to each piece. Similarly, the app allows user to learn about some of the most iconic buildings in downtown.

This new app also provides information about the various amenities available in the Fulton District, including shops, restaurants and attractions that are helping bring Downtown Fresno back to life. The Timeline and Photo Gallery features give users the opportunity to travel through time and learn about the history of Fresno’s pedestrian mall and new Fulton Street.

The Fulton District app was developed as part of the $15.9 million TIGER grant to reconstruct downtown’s main street and is available for Apple and Android devices.

Mayor Lee Brand and Public Utilities Director Michael Carbajal gathered with local, and state leaders today to mark the completion of the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility and the major pipeline projects of the City’s Recharge Fresno program, which collectively make up the City’s largest-ever infrastructure program and enable greater water sustainability through increased use of surface water and reduced groundwater pumping.

Welcoming local leaders and representatives of state and federal agencies, Mayor Brand said, “I am proud of our City for successfully delivering our largest-ever infrastructure program on-time and on budget. With the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility and major pipeline projects now up and running, our community has a secure, drought-proof water supply.”

The treatment facility is the cornerstone project of the Recharge Fresno, the City’s program to improve the pipelines and water system facilities that will capture, treat and deliver water to Fresno homes and businesses, including surface water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The facility currently produces 54 million gallons per day of drinking water for delivery to Fresno homes and businesses, and ultimately will produce 80 million gallons per day, meeting approximately half of the City’s future water demands.

The major projects in the Recharge Fresno Program were collectively under construction for approximately two and a half years and involved more than 180 consulting firms, engineering companies, and contractors.

“You often hear of watershed moments,” said Carbajal. “Quite literally, for Fresno, today marks a milestone for our watershed. But a watershed moment is also defined as a turning point or historic moment. I’m not sure that this moment could be anything but that, given the benefits this program will bring for generations to come.”

Carbajal also recognized the California State Water Resources Control Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for their efforts to secure $340 million in low-interest State Revolving Fund loans to help fund the program, saving ratepayers approximately $250 million in financing cost.

“Investing in water infrastructure with our state and local partners is a priority for the EPA,” said Kristin Gullatt, Deputy Water Division Director for EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “Federal and state funding for this project will help the City of Fresno alleviate groundwater depletion while diversifying municipal water supplies and providing high quality, safe drinking water for the community.”

The Recharge Fresno Program is managed by the City’s Department of Public Utilities. For more information, please visit www.RechargeFresno.com

Councilmembers Clint Olivier, District7, Councilmember Paul Caprioglio, District 4, and Councilmember Oliver Baines, District 3 have released the Cannabis Sub-Committee’s Draft Regulations for public review.

The release also begins a period of public comment, including a Q&A Forum on Monday, September 17, from 5:00-7:00 PM in City Council Chambers. Comments, input, and suggestions can be e-mailed to [email protected]. The public comment period will conclude at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting this fall, date to be determined, where the full City Council will vote on adoption of the final draft of the Regulations.

“These regulations were put together by members of the sub-committee with help from the City Attorney’s Office, City Department Heads, as well as an industry consultant,” said Councilmember Olivier. “We encourage members of the public as well as entrepreneurs in the industry to offer constructive comments to help us improve the regulations for the final draft.”

• Medicinal Commercial Cannabis Activity DRAFT ORDINANCE
• Adult Use Commercial Cannabis Activity DRAFT ORDINANCE

The City of Fresno has issued a cease-and-desist letter to Bird Rides Inc. (Bird) and given them until Sunday, September 9, 2018, to remove all of their scooters from the City until an operating policy and a business agreement can be reached.

Bird, a Santa Monica, CA based company that provides dockless electric motorized scooters for public use, did not officially approach City officials to get the proper permissions and licenses, establish a public policy, and create a framework that ensures proper safety and access measures prior to establishing operations in Fresno.  The City issued the cease-and-desist order on August 29, 2018, and has had ongoing discussions with Bird to resolve this issue.

“If you want to use the public right-of-way, you have to operate in the public interest,” said Assistant City Manager Jim Schaad.

Bird has been accused of using similar “ask forgiveness instead of permission” tactics in virtually every city in which they have established operations.  In response, cities such as San Diego, Boston, Nashville, and Kansas City have either issued cease and desist letters, placed restrictions on their use, or banned them entirely.

In the short time that Bird has been operating in Fresno, the City has received numerous ADA complaints and heard growing concerns about people using scooters without helmets or riding on sidewalks in violation of state law.  Users have also left these scooters on lawns or blocking sidewalks and entryways.  Similar issues have occurred in many other cities, causing a public backlash that has resulted in numerous complaints on social media and, in extreme cases, vandalism.

Contrary to claims made by Bird to local users in a social media campaign this week stating that Fresno is considering a ban on scooters, City officials have expressed to Bird representatives that the Administration is willing to work with them so they can operate safely and profitably here.

“We want to be business friendly – but friendliness goes both ways.  We will continue to embrace different forms of transportation, but not at the expense of safety or public process,” said Fresno Mayor Lee Brand. “We appreciate Bird’s eagerness to establish themselves here before their competitors do, but it’s not fair to the thousands of businesses in Fresno who play by the rules, received the proper permits and licenses, and are operating legally.”

City officials have a meeting scheduled with Bird representatives early next week to discuss parameters for entering into a business agreement.

The City of Fresno is pleased to announce that we will be accepting applications for Emergency Services Dispatcher I starting September 17, 2018, through October 1, 2018.

If you or someone you know are interested in this outstanding opportunity and would like to know more about this position, the Fresno Police Department and Personnel Services Department will be holding an informational orientation on September 12 and September 15 regarding the dispatcher position, background check and recruitment process.

For more information, please see the attached flyer.  Both sessions are voluntary with identical presentations being offered.

City of Fresno offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday, September 3.  The delivery of some City services may be affected by the holiday as well.  Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, September 4.  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 Labor 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 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 (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 Lhttps://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/routes/abor Day.  Office closed for citation payments on Monday, September 3.

Parks and Recreation (PARCS):  Administrative offices closed.  Parks facilities and recreation centers operating with the 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 the 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 Labor Day holiday, please call (559) 621-CITY (2489) or use our FresGO mobile app.

Mayor Lee Brand and Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan-Schecter today announced that Jim Schaad has been named the City of Fresno’s new Assistant City Manager, effective Monday, August 27, 2018.  Mr. Schaad has served as the City’s Director of Transportation since September 2017, where he managed the successful implementation of the new “Q” Bus Rapid Transit System.

Mayor Brand and City Manager Quan-Schecter have also announced that Assistant Transportation Director Gregory Barfield will be the interim Director of Transportation, also effective Monday. Mr. Barfield was the assistant director since December 2016, where he was in charge of Operations, Planning, and Support Services.

“I’m so pleased to be able to promote from within and bring two people with considerable experience and ability to higher leadership roles,” said Ms. Quan-Schecter. “Jim has shown superior skill in managing complex projects and he’ll make an excellent addition to the City Manager’s office, while Greg has long been one of the smartest and most capable people serving at City Hall. They’re both rock stars.”

Schaad served as an assistant director for the Transportation Department for 6 years, where he was responsible for the Department’s capital projects and maintenance operations.  He entered the public sector 16 years ago, where he began managing ongoing operations and capital projects for the City of Fresno’s Fleet Management Division.  Prior to civil service, Schaad spent 16 years managing various manufacturing operations in the private sector.  He has also taught at California State University, Fresno as an adjunct professor for the last 18 years.

Schaad has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from California State University, Fresno and a Master’s in Business Administration from Portland State University.  He and his wife Lynn have been married for 29 years and have two adult children.

A native of Fresno, Barfield was responsible for a department with over 300 persons that served just under 10 million riders last year with 16 fixed routes and 104 buses covering over 5 million road miles.  Prior to his role as Assistant Director of Transportation, he served for 10 years as Chief of Staff to Councilmembers Oliver Baines & Cynthia Sterling.

He has worked in all levels of government, been active in many local, state and federal political campaigns in the last 30 plus years with time spent working at community-based non-profits, institutions of higher learning and private business along the way. Barfield is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and is a graduate of Fresno Pacific University’s School of Business with a Masters in Leadership and Organizational Studies. He is married to Angie and together in their blended family, they have seven children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.