Meeting began at 5:34 pm. Commissioner Vang is coming in late, commissioner Miller absent.

No changes made to agenda, approved by all 5-0 https://t.co/41NtyyGJKV

Amended minutes from January 23rd approved, 5-0
1 abstention from Sarah Parkes

Commissioner Vang has also joined the meeting.

Subcommittee Reports:

Cultural Arts Plan: will be meeting this Wednesday & will have a plan to review.

Parks Master Plan: no update

Member Reports & Comments-
Jose Leon-Barraza: a thank you to folks in Parlier that recently attended an event.

Sarah Parkes: presentation about the purpose and goal of the arts commission will not be having a presentation today.

Mona Cummings & Dr. Oputa express appreciation

For the black history month activities and celebrations.

John Dohlin: thankful to see his peers in person, some for the first time

Parks Director: the parks department will be extending warming centers until March 8th.

Tomorrow night there is a community meeting at the Art Museum about Radio Park and future updates

Unscheduled Communication:
Lilia Chavez (ED of Fresno Arts Council): shared her excitement for Measure P projects starting, the commission is to work with the Arts Council to provide more parks and cultural arts to the community. They want to be part of the process & plan

Chester M: has lived in Tower w/ husband for 20+ years. Says Fresno Arts Council has helped create Art Hop and success in downtown. They are aware of community needs. Trusts they will be a valuable asset for planning Measure P spending

Jared G: The public voted for Measure P and I big part of that was bc people wanted to support the Arts as well. The Arts Council should help plan

Michelle E: speaking on behalf of art museum staff. Major donors contributed to Measure P campaign. Wants to be on record that the Fresno Arts Museum expects the Arts Council to lead fund distribution and planning

Steven W: President & CEO of Fresno Philharmonic. Objects to any attempt to make changes and remove Fresno Arts Council from this position within Measure P plan

For context, the Fresno Parks Department is attempting to take control over Measure P funding in place of the Fresno Arts Council as previously expected/planned

Arte Americas ED: arts orgs are fragile here, this funding can help us do so much more. The city has not been investing in the arts in Fresno. Concerned about the efforts to take away the Fresno Arts Council role

ED African American Museum: Arts have a big impact and define our city. There is not another institution to support the African American Museum other than the Fresno Arts Council.

Victor C, Arte Americas board member: supports a “common sense” proposition that the Fresno Arts Council should be in charge of dispersing Measure P funds

Laurie Hunter: disappointed with the work around of the ordinance. Believes the Arts Council knows our community, culture, and needs the best.

Jose B, ED SE Fresno Econ Development: wants to ensure the SE soccer complex will still be developed.

Matthew G, lively arts foundation: hopes to see the Arts Council continue good work and help disperse funds to local orgs

Tiffany, Arts Council board member: FAC supports local arts and give them a voice. We need to follow the Measure P plan & let them continue

Daniel J, local artist: trusts that the FAC will manage a fair and inclusive dispersement of measure P funds

Mr. Fox, child psychologist: the arts play an important role in mental health. There shouldn’t be competition between arts & parks, they should be combined

Michaelynn L: complaint that the community center locations have not been available for local residents because they have been blocked or full due to homeless individuals there for warming centers. Concern about alcohol and drug being used/sold

Francine F, co-president league of women voters: public art is important for foot traffic, sense of community, diversity, etc. the FAC knows what they’re doing and is the best option to take this leadership position w/Measure P funds

Anthony M, bike coalition: strongly in favor of FAC being named manager of the grants award process. Would like to partner with the city/parks comission/arts council for future projects

Lisa F: support Measure P does not guarantee funding, there does need to be oversight w/ govt funds.
Warming centers are open to save people’s lives, that is more important than some day to day activities that may be temporarily limited

Kay B, League of Women Voters: FAC is supposed to have control of grant implementation w/ city oversight. Hopes there’s some correction to the parks control of this in defiance of Measure P

Nicholas R: the language of Measure P is very clear, you have a legal obligation to include them in the process.

Eric Payne: FAC is a trusted voice in our community. Parks staff has been dismissive of the public’s will. The community is her speaking in one voice of support

Presentation on Pocket Parks by Parks Department staff:
• Small parks under 2 acres, 1/4 mile serving radius (ex: cultural arts dist. park)
•vehicular access & parking not required
•15 pocket parks in Fresno, 2 in progress

Funding for pocket parks included in Measure P funds.

18% of Fresno pocket parks located in high needs areas. Average size is 1 acre.

Valuable in dense urban areas w/ limited open space resources - Parks Master Plan

Provides an opportunity to create identity in neighborhoods and their needs. Trying to include unique art pieces. Provides amenities: event spaces, play areas, tot lots, picnic tables, benches, or shade structures.

Should be efficiently designed to get the most for the space

Commissioner McCoy expresses concern that the city will focus too much on pocket parks and not enough on developing larger parks throughout the city.

Commissioner Parkes asks for confirmation that the Polk Overlook is open, there is confusing signage.
It is open to public

Hearings: Actions Pertaining the Parks, Recreation & Arts Commission’s Meetings for 2023

New 2023 Meeting Schedule Adopted
Passed 8-0

Hearing to receive public input on allocations related to Measure P, updates to the Park Masters Plan and Cultural Arts Plan, and annual PARCS Department Budget and Capital Improvement Plans.

No comment (many people spoke on this topic earlier in the meeting)

The way that Fresno Arts Council will play a role in Measure P fund dispersement is yet to be officially decided and that is an ongoing conversation to between them, the city, city manager, & others.
No public decision or discussion among commission will take place today

Meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM

The next meeting will take place on March 27 @ 5:30 PM