This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Alexander Martinez! He’s the PARCS painter and is tasked with painting everything at our 80+ parks, from bathrooms to water fountains and everything in between! He knows the value of our local parks – he’s a Fresno native and he and his family use Fresno’s parks all the time! Whether it’s birthday parties or sports, he knows how important it is to make the parks look as good as possible, and he’s proud of his work. Thank you for your dedication to Fresno, Alex!
We Work For You: Erika Johnson
This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Erika Johnson! Erika is an Information Services Supervisor who oversees the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division. The team uses GIS to visualize data and put it to use – and they can do everything from making maps that assist a resident in finding their trash pickup day to helping firefighters understand the layout of a building before they enter it. Take a look at the GIS hub, which has lots of examples of the work they’re doing behind the scenes to support departments throughout the City: https://city-of-fresno-gis-hub-cityoffresno.hub.arcgis.com/
We Work For You: Captain Kevin Reynolds
This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Captain Kevin Reynolds! He’s been with the Fresno Fire Department for 17 years, where he currently oversees emergency medical training for firefighters. Outside the fire station, one of his passions is volunteering with Central Valley Honor Flight. He and other volunteers take Valley veterans to see the monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C. Thank you for your service to Fresno residents and veterans, Captain Reynolds!
We Work For You: Todd Eischen
This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Todd Eischen! He’s a Wastewater System Supervisor at the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility, where he oversees electricians and supervisors who work together to keep the pumps running 24/7. More than 60 million gallons of water get pumped through the facility every day, and it’s up to Todd’s team to keep it all running. He initially came to the facility as an electrician on a job that was only supposed to last a few weeks – and 28 years later, he’s worked his way up to where he is now! Thank you for your work, Todd!
We Work For You:
When there’s road construction in Fresno, Gary Mendrin and his team mark the area with paint to make sure underground electric cables don’t get damaged! �⚡️
Marking underground utilities helps construction crews avoid accidentally hitting them and knocking out traffic signal power.
City of Fresno and ForeFront Power Break Ground on One of Largest Combined On-Site Solar Energy Projects in California
FRESNO, CA – The City of Fresno’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) conducted a groundbreaking ceremony today for the development of its on-site solar energy and battery storage portfolio.
The projects are currently taking shape at three energy-intensive sites – the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility, the Northeast Surface Water Treatment Facility, and the Southeast Surface Water Treatment Facility. DPU’s 27 megawatt-DC (MW-DC) “behind-the-meter” portfolio is being developed in partnership with ForeFront Power, a leading developer of solar energy and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Mexico, and the projects will be constructed by local union labor from the IBEW Local 100.
The DPU projects are part of the City of Fresno’s comprehensive plan to lower its energy costs, bolster environmental resiliency, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At a time of rising electricity costs, these DPU projects are expected to save the City over $100 million in taxpayer dollars by 2045.
“Today is a great day for the City of Fresno,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “DPU is harnessing cutting-edge renewable energy and battery storage technology to reduce its energy burden, and to safeguard our air and environment for future generations.”
“Additionally, these projects will save taxpayer money – more than $100 million over the next 20 years just from the DPU sites. I’m proud of Fresno for leading the way by advancing towards our energy goals, creating local jobs, and saving taxpayer funds in the process,” Mayor Dyer said.
“We’re pleased to have helped the City of Fresno with this momentous expansion of its renewable energy assets,” said Rachel McLaughlin, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at ForeFront Power. “It makes sense that with over 300 days of sunshine per year, the City is harnessing one of its most abundant resources to protect pocketbooks, the air, and the climate all at once.”
Under the terms of a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the City, ForeFront Power develops, owns, and maintains the solar and storage portfolio. ForeFront Power charges the City a fixed, below-market rate for electricity, which is locked in for the 20-year duration of the agreement. ForeFront Power will continue to operate and maintain the system at no cost to the City.
Each DPU site will feature ground-mounted solar energy arrays and single-axis trackers, with a combined output of 47 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. When completed, the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility site is expected to be one of the largest behind-the-meter solar energy and battery storage projects in California, with 17 MW-DC of solar and 2.3 MW-DC of battery storage. Moreover, the City of Fresno will host the largest multi-campus solar energy and battery storage portfolio in the world at 34 MW-DC.
The development of the City’s solar and storage portfolio has created 192 local jobs, with the three DPU sites contributing 120 of these local jobs. The DPU projects will complement the City’s completed behind-the-meter solar energy assets at the Fresno Convention Center, the Highway City Science Center, the Police Training Facility, and Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
For more information about ForeFront Power, please visit https://www.forefrontpower.com.
Your Park, Your Voice
Al Radka Park
Location:
5897 E Belmont Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
When:
October 24, 2023
TIME:
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Services of an interpreter and additional accommodations such as assistive listening devices can be made available.
Requests for accommodations should be made more than five working days but no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled program/event. Please contact (559) 621-PLAY.
COVID-19 Guidelines (subject to change): PARCS programs adhere to current federal, state, and local COVID-19 guidelines related to wearing masks, social distancing, capacity, etc.
We Work For You: Elizabeth Castillo
This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Elizabeth Castillo! She’s a Program Manager for the PARCS Senior Program, which provides specialized activities for Fresno’s seniors at nine different locations around the city. Between free hot meals, senior dances, and exercise classes – there’s something for everyone, and Elizabeth makes sure those programs keep running. Thank you for all you do for our senior population, Elizabeth!
We Work For You: Jacob Avedian
This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Jacob Avedian! He’s a Recreation Specialist with the PARCS Department and works at Highway City Community Science Center! If you haven’t been there, check it out – the center features over 50 hands-on exhibits, daily science projects, mobile science workshops and more. Jacob says it’s really rewarding to see the smiles on the kids’ faces as they engage and learn. Thank you everything you do for Fresno’s youth, Jacob!
We Work For You: Le’Shea Tarver
This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Le’Shea Tarver! She’s worked in various departments – most recently in Personnel for the last 8 years, where she works as a Sr. Human Resources and Risk Analyst! She’s part of the recruiting team, which means she plays a vital role in getting the best candidates for all departments in the City. In fact, she just organized and executed a job fair at City Hall that attracted upwards of 700 people! Thank you for all you do for Fresno and for our departments, Le’Shea!