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.

Mayor Lee Brand and City Manager Wilma Quan-Schecter today announced that Michael Carbajal has been named the City of Fresno’s new Director of Public Utilities, effective August 6, 2018.  He replaces Thomas Esqueda, who left the City earlier this year to join California State University, Fresno as its first associate vice president for Water and Sustainability.

“Mike has proven experience in managing large-scale water systems for the City of Fresno and his leadership during the $600 million Recharge Fresno water infrastructure program was instrumental in the project coming in on time and under budget,” City Manager Quan-Schecter said.  “He already understands the challenges facing our Public Utilities department and I am confident in Mike’s ability to bring a new perspective to an important position while continuing to provide our customers with top quality service.”

Mr. Carbajal began his career in the water industry in 2000 as a Junior Engineering Technician with the State of California Department of Water Resources and joined the City of Fresno’s Department of Public Utilities in 2002.  He was appointed Division Manager in 2014, where he managed the Water Division’s capital improvement program, including implementation of the Recharge Fresno Program.  Mr. Carbajal was named Planning Manager in 2016, with increased responsibility to oversee both the Water Division’s and Wastewater Division’s capital improvement programs.  In April 2018, he was appointed Interim Assistant Director of Public Utilities.

As the City of Fresno’s Director of Public Utilities, Mr. Carbajal will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and long-range planning of water, wastewater, and solid waste.  He holds an Associate degree in Business Administration from Fresno City College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fresno.

City of Fresno offices will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4.  The delivery of some City services may be affected.  Normal operations will resume on Thursday, 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.

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.

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 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 (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 Independence Day.  Office closed for citation payments on Tuesday, July 4.

Parks and Recreation (PARCS):  Administrative offices closed.  Parks facilities and recreation centers operating with a 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 4th of July holiday, please call (559) 621-CITY (2489) or use our FresGO mobile app.

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) has awarded $16 million from the State of California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program to the Blackstone & McKinley Transit Oriented Development project (BMTOD) located at 1501 N. Blackstone Avenue, a mixed-use affordable housing development approved by the Fresno City Council in December of 2017.

The award provides over $12.5 million for construction and $3.4 million for city infrastructure improvements in the surrounding area.  When completed, BMTOD will provide an overall investment of more than $38 million in the community through its development company, Integrated Community Development LLC of Woodland Hills and their non-profit partner Corporation for Better Housing.

“This was a collaborative effort between City leaders, the developer and the community to bring much needed affordable housing and attractive amenities to the Blackstone Corridor,” said Fresno Mayor Lee Brand. “This is exactly the kind of project that will bring a dynamic addition to our central city and increase the momentum that is already building along Fresno’s most famous street.”

“This is a big day. We have been working for years with City leaders and the community to bring something special to Fresno – a catalyst that will invigorate investment into this part of the city. This was a true team effort and we are so proud of this achievement,” said Jake Lingo, Senior Vice President at Integrated Community Development LLC.

This development will provide 88 affordable housing units and 6,000 square feet of retail space on the west side of Blackstone between McKinley and Home Avenues, with construction beginning in the first quarter of 2019 with a grand opening tentatively planned for 2020.

Retail space partnerships with Clinica Sierra, Fresno City College and the City of Fresno will provide for 4,000 square feet of retail medical and dental services and a 2,000 square feet Senior Center.  The project includes redevelopment of a full city block along Fresno’s new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, over ½ mile of new sidewalks on Blackstone as well as creating a two-mile Class IV bikeway along Wishon, Fulton, and Van Ness Avenues.

Council President Esmeralda Soria added, “Through its support of this project, the City of Fresno has made a commitment to invest in programs that will provide long-term sustainable economic growth and address the housing needs of our community. This investment kicks off the Blackstone Corridor transformation.” 

Mayor Lee Brand today issued the following statement after City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2019 budget by a 5-2 vote:

“I want to thank our Councilmembers for their support in passing our second budget together.  We had a considerable debate over the fairest and most sensible way to achieve our goals, but in the end, the public will benefit from a budget that addresses the most critical needs in our city.

“Moving forward, we must continue to utilize our limited resources to their fullest extent to provide the best possible service to our residents, and keep our focus on building our economy and developing new revenue streams to properly fund our priorities and make Fresno a better and safer place to live.”

Mayor Lee Brand today released the following statement on the status of the proposed sales tax initiative to support Fresno’s parks and public safety expenditures:

“It is with a mixture of both regret and hope that I am announcing the withdrawal of the parks and public safety ballot measure I introduced to Council.

“There are deep, wide and immediate needs throughout our City and while I completely believe that the people of Fresno deserve a chance to vote on what their City looks like and feels like over the next 15 years, I do not see any chance that five members of the City Council will vote to put this measure on the November ballot and give our voters that opportunity.

“I added language to formalize that the intent of this measure is to supplement and not supplant existing City expenditures on parks and public safety.  I have reached out to Councilmembers on both sides of this issue and to advocates for a competing parks ballot measure with no luck.

“I believe this measure would go a long way towards fulfilling the compelling, massive and undeniable needs this City has for parks, police and fire service and I believe this is the ONLY measure of all of the ballot measures that have been discussed that has any reasonable or possible chance of success in the November election.

“I want you, the people of Fresno to know that I will continue to do everything in my power to deploy the limited revenues of the City of Fresno in the most efficient manner possible and that I will continue my job creation plan to improve the quality of life in this City.  I am heartened and hopeful for the overwhelming support I have received from the brave men and women in our fire and police departments and our dedicated parks workers.  And from community leaders and the citizens of Fresno.  I urge all of you to join me in working together to make Fresno better and safer.  Thank you.”