October 31, 2013 City Council Agenda

Find complete agenda here.
Call (559) 621-8000 to speak to your council member on any one of these issues.

Watch the City Council meeting live here every Thursday, usually starting at 8:30am.

Consent Calendar:

1A) The City is contracting with Edward J. Johnson for Hearing Officer Services for the purpose of providing fair and impartial due process hearings for persons appealing the City's administrative decisions. It will be a three-year agreement (plus two one-year extensions), capped at $100,000 annually plus $2,000 for reasonable reimbursable expenses.

1B) Awarding a construction contract in the amount of $178,336.15 to Kertel Communications, Inc dba Sebastian for the Clinton Avenue Intelligent Transportation System Conduits Installation (from Chestnut to Fine Avenues (map)), Airport Administration Building Fiber Conduit Tie-in project, which will be utilized to synchronize the traffic signals along the Clinton Avenue corridor, to improve transportation safety, and efficiency to reduce emissions.

1C) The City will be purchasing 11,056 square feet of the property for $60,000 for the installation of curb, gutter, sidewalk, drive approaches, an ADA ramp, street lights and modification of the existing traffic signal along the north side of Nees Avenue west of the intersection of Nees and Maple Avenues (map).

1D) The City is purchasing a  $267,872 pump for the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility that will be used when the main raw sewage pumps must be sent in for factory repair.

1E) The Department of Public Utilities, Water Division, routinely cuts and removes existing street paving to gain access to the water system for repairs, maintenance, and capital improvements. Due to the ongoing nature of this work, the Water Division obtain firm pricing, secured through competitive bidding, for three years, that allowed the Water Division to order the repairs on an as needed basis. This contract is a six-month requirements contract with provisions for five six-month extensions to West Valley Construction Inc., in the amount of $449,969.

1F) There has been an agreement between Lennar Homes and Clovis Unified School District for the installation of a storm drain in the area of 6736 E. Dakota (map).  Now that the installation is complete, continued storm drain basin operation and maintenance, and future basin demolition and infill (once master plan storm drain facilities become available), must now be transferred to the City. These conditions include an annual basin maintenance cost of $250, and a future demolition and in-fill cost of $26,187.

1G) Approve the appointments of Andre Pecina and David Mercer and the reappointments of Lee Ann Eager, Tom Abshere, Gwyndolyn Harshaw and Bret Slusser to the Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board by Council President Xiong.

General Administration:

2A) Staff recommends the Fresno City Council approve an agreement between the City of Fresno and the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (FCEOC) for $1.5 million to implement a HOME-funded Targeted Area Rehabilitation Program for low to moderate-income households in southwest, southeast, and central Fresno areas. This Program will operate alongside the CDBG-funded Targeted Area Distressed Property Program that provides minor interior and exterior repair of homes with code enforcement infractions.

2B) Staff proposes to use $1.75 million of FY14 CDBG funds held in contingency and FY13 program cost savings to fund the following housing and community development activities in targeted areas:

• Community and Recreation Center Improvements (Ted C. Wills; Mary Ella Brown; Frank H. Ball; Holmes; Mosqueda; Quigley; Romain; and Pinedale community centers) - $425,000 
• District 3 Neighborhood Vision Plan - $250,000
• Targeted Area Distressed Property Program - $500,000
• Community Street Improvements - $805,000

2C) Approving a professional consultant agreement with CH2M HILL Engineers, Inc., (CH2M HILL) in the amount of $6,993,000 for Program Management Services related to the implementation of the Metropolitan Water Resources Management Plan including ongoing capital improvement projects and operational system improvements.

2D) Authorizing the Chief of Police to enter into an agreement dated November 1, 2013, with the County of Fresno to reserve five bed spaces in the Fresno County Jail for the purpose of housing Fresno Police Department arrestees at a rate of $520.00 per day.

Scheduled Council Hearings and Matters:

10:00AM) A hearing regarding the proposed amendment of the City of Fresno’s Master Fee Schedule to increase water connection fees has been continued to 11/7/2013 at 10:00 a.m.

1:30PM #1) Jorge Zavala, owner of ShowRoom Doctor Z Inc will make an appearance by to discuss the City’s bidding process around Fresno Area Express' (FAX) bus washing contract.

1:30PM #2) In a effort to abate message parlors that operate within the City limits that could be a front for illegal and unlawful activity, City Council is introducing a bill that would require all people who provide massages within the City Limits to be a Certified Massage Practitioner and business' obtain a valid "City Registration Certificate."

5:00PM) A proposed planning code text amendment to allow interim use of currently vacant parcels to grow crops and ornamental plants which would ameliorate current nuisances associated with vacant properties while providing nutritional and economic benefit to the community. Opposition to the text amendment has been expressed by residents of West Fresno, who have concerns about potential environmental and economic impacts of farming in their area, and by community gardening advocates who do not want that use/activity to be subject to zoning classification or regulation until the 2035 General Plan and new Development Code are adopted has been continued to 11/7/2013 at 5:00 p.m.

October 24, 2013 City Council Agenda

Find complete agenda here.
Call (559) 621-8000 to speak to your council member on any one of these issues.

Watch the City Council meeting live here every Thursday, usually starting at 8:30am.

Consent Calendar:

1A) Approve the appointment of James Poptanich to the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging by Mayor's Office.

1B) A contractor requesting to replace a sub-contractor listed in there construction contract for cement work.

1C) As part of the requirements of having a contract with the "United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) which entitles the City to receive 60,000 acre-feet per year of Class 1 water" the City must maintain an updated water management plan.  The City has prepared one that is updated and deemed compliant so Council is now approving this plan.

1D) "The Department of Public Utilities, Wastewater Management Division is seeking to award a construction contract to rehabilitate the sewer pipeline along Chestnut Avenue [between McKinley and Weldon (map)] in the amount of $137,500 to Dexal Construction Inc., of Santa Rosa, California, as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder."

1E) Item removed from agenda.

1F) City staff is recommending a traffic signal at the intersection of Peach and Church Avenues (map). Flatiron Electric Group, Inc. of Chino, CA, has been determined to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder in the amount of $394,546.00.

1G) Staff needs to extend a contract from October 31,2013 to September 1, 2014 with Sharp Inspection Group, Inc. to complete the commercial water meter retrofit project.

1H) McCaffrey Homes plans to build a 118-lot single-family residential, gated, private street planned development subdivision with five outlots for private street and common open space purposes on 16.79 acres at an overall density of 8.53 units per acre at the Southeast Corner of Copper and Maples Avenues (map).

1I) The City is becoming a member of the Friant Water Authority (FWA) Joint Powers Agreement and will be taking a leading role in the development of  long-term regional planning and management of Friant-Kern Canal water resources. The initial call-for-funds to participate in the FWA JPA is $31,362.95 of which $13,832.64 has been paid. A council member will be selected as the City's representative.

1J) "Approving the sale of 1,714 square feet of previously vacated right-of-way at the southeast corner of Blackstone and Shaw Avenues (map), reserving an easement of approximately 666 square feet for an existing bus bay."

1K) "It is recommended that the Council authorize the Chief of Police to enter into a tenancy permit with Signature Flight Support Corporation for the continued lease of office and hangar space at 4941 E. Andersen, Suite B-101 (map), at the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport, in the City of Fresno. Rent for the initial term of this proposed three-year tenancy permit will remain at its current level of $2750 per month for the first year, and shall increase by three percent (3%) each subsequent year. This initial yearly amount of $33,000 will be paid from the general fund."

1L) Approving "acquisition of two public street easements from a portion of two parcels of property owned by New Covenant Community Church, a California non-profit corporation, in the amount of $69,000 total, which are necessary for the installation of curb, gutter, sidewalk, drive approaches, an ADA ramp, street lights and modification of the existing traffic signal along the north side of Nees west of the intersection of Nees and Maple Avenues (map)."

1M) Approve the appointment of Sushil Prakash to the District 1 Implementation Committee by Council President Xiong.

General Administration:

2A) "Staff recommends the Fresno City Council approve [an] agreement between the City of Fresno and the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (FCEOC) for $1.5 million to implement a HOME-funded Targeted Area Rehabilitation Program for low to moderate-income households in southwest, southeast, and central Fresno areas. This Program will operate alongside the CDBG-funded Targeted Area Distressed Property Program that provides minor interior and exterior repair of homes with code enforcement infractions."

2B) Staff proposes to use $1.75 million of FY14 CDBG funds held in contingency and FY13 program cost savings to fund the following housing and community development activities in targeted areas:

• Community and Recreation Center Improvements (Ted C. Wills; Mary Ella Brown; Frank H. Ball; Holmes; Mosqueda; Quigley; Romain; and Pinedale community centers) - $425,000 
• District 3 Neighborhood Vision Plan - $250,000
• Targeted Area Distressed Property Program - $500,000
• Community Street Improvements - $805,000

2C) Staff recommends awarding a construction contract in the amount of $1,252,853.00 to Mass X, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the construction of eastbound Herndon Avenue widening between Blythe and Brawley Avenues (map) [to a 3 lane road].

2D) Staff recommends award of a construction contract in the amount of $599,991.00 to Floyd Johnston Construction Company, Inc. of Clovis, California as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the construction of Bullard Canal No. 124 Irrigation Piping along Herndon Avenue from Brawley Avenue to Valentine Avenue (map) [in order for future roadway widening along Herndon].

2E) It is recommended the City Council authorize a consultant agreement with R3 Consulting Group, Inc. (R3), for the review of the cost based rate adjustment, as required by the franchise agreement for Commercial Solid Waste (CSW) franchise, and related issues not to exceed a total of $70,000.

City Council:

3A) Approve Finance and Audit Committee findings and recommendations on Convention Center Operations and Finances by Lee Brand, Chair, Members Xiong and Olivier from the Council Finance and Audit Committee, and take the following action:

1. Give notice to terminate current contract and prepare an RFP 
2. Direct City Attorney and City Manager to negotiate and return with terms of an amended contract with SMG
3. Take no action

3B) Actions pertaining to Creating Prosperity in Fresno from acting President Brandau. An update from staff regarding the implementation plan they were to return to Council with consistent with goals in Creating Prosperity in Fresno’s whitepaper.

Scheduled Council Hearings and Matters:

10:30AM) Continued to 10/31/2013 at 10:00 a.m. regarding a proposed amendment of the City of Fresno’s Master Fee Schedule to increase water connection fees.

1:30PM #2) There has been continued discussion around clarifying City policy around Wireless Telecommunications Facilities.  Constituents from the telecommunications industry have brought up issues around the by-right use of small-cells and allowing more than one exemption.  The City cannot exclude "small-cells" and will allow two exemption per property.

4:00PM) Continue to November 7, 2013 at 4:00 p.m regarding consideration of Street Name Change filed by Jo Ann Ables, for the public street (Martin Avenue) bounded by E California Ave and Merced St.

5:00PM) Joseph Guagliardo, on behalf of Jim and Isabel Medina, has filed a rezone application and Conditional Use Permit application pertaining to approximately 0.19 acres of  property located on the southeast corner of North Van Ness Boulevard and East Princeton Avenue (map). The applicant requests to modify the existing conditions of zoning of the subject property to allow an auto repair garage which it is currently limited to Tire, Battery, and Accessory Parts, Retail Sales Services. The permit has been amended to address where specific work can be completed and the hours of operation which shall be from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, with the business being closed on Sundays.

October 10, 2013 City Council Agenda

Find complete agenda here.
Call (559) 621-8000 to speak to your council member on any one of these issues.

Watch the City Council meeting live here every Thursday, usually starting at 8:30am.

Consent Calendar:

1A) Granville has filed for approval for a 56-lot single-family residential subdivision, located on the northeast corner of North Garfield Avenue and West Barstow Avenue (map) on 11.65 acres.

1B) The Fresno Police Department's "Skywatch" Air Support Unit has been housed at its current location, 4941 E. Andersen (map), since its inception in 1996 and is being renewed. Rent for the initial term of this proposed three-year tenancy permit will remain at its current level of $2750 per month for the first year, and shall increase by three percent (3%) each subsequent year. This initial yearly amount of $33,000 will be paid from the general fund.

1C) The Finance Department is rejecting all bids for Consulting for and Implementation of Payment Processing and Merchant Services due to the fact that none of the proposals met the specific requirements stated.

1D) PARCS is submitting two grant applications to the State of California Strategic Growth Council Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Program under Proposition 84 for the construction of community gardens at Romain Neighborhood Park (map) and Hinton Park (map).

General Administration:

2A) It is recommended that the City Council award a contract in the amount of $694,288.92 for three (3) years with an option for two (2) one-year (1) increment extension to Geil Enterprises Inc. dba CIS (California Industrial Services) Security of Fresno, CA for provide security services for City facilities including Municipal Service Center, City Hall, Santa Fe Depot Station, Granite Park, Water Yard, and City Hall Area Parking Program Bike Patrol. and authorizes the Public Works Director or his designee to sign the contract on behalf of the City.

2B) The Herndon Multi-Purpose Trail - Fruit Avenue to Harrison Avenue (map) eliminates a gap in the existing Herndon Trail along the Herndon Avenue expressway. The Herndon Multi-Purpose Trail - Fruit Avenue to Harrison Avenue provides pedestrians, joggers, and bicyclists a continuous path for travel. The project will construct a concrete pathway, landscaping, irrigation, and expressway barrier fencing to match the existing trail in the area.

2C) It is recommended that the City Council award a requirements contract in the amount of $1,692,260.21 for one (1) year with an option for four (4) one-year increment extensions to Calaveras Materials Inc. for asphalt concrete material.

2D) Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution approving the amendment to the Western Riverside Council of Governments joint power authority agreement adding City of Fresno as an associate member and consenting to inclusion of properties within the City of Fresno's jurisdiction in the California HERO Program to finance certain renewable energy sources, energy and water efficiency improvements, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Scheduled Council Hearings and Matters:

1:30PM) Presentation to Council regarding Business Friendly Task Force and selection of two (2) Councilmembers to serve on Task Force by Mayor’s Office

2:15PM) Language was placed in this federal law which states that local governments "may not deny, and shall approve, any eligible facilities request for a modification of an existing wireless tower or base station that does not substantially change the physical dimensions of such tower or base station". The City of Fresno Development and Resource Management Department is proposing a revised policy on Wireless Telecommunications Facilities that defines "substantially change."

5:00PM) A proposed planning code text amendment to allow interim use of currently vacant parcels to grow crops and ornamental plants which would ameliorate current nuisances associated with vacant properties while providing nutritional and economic benefit to the community. Opposition to the text amendment has been expressed by residents of West Fresno, who have concerns about potential environmental and economic impacts of farming in their area, and by community gardening advocates who do not want that use/activity to be subject to zoning classification or regulation until the 2035 General Plan and new Development Code are adopted.