[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6675261,"mediaKeyId","2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2","parentId",2099324,"title","Residents urge city action on shelter capacity and relocation after evictions during unscheduled public comment","audioSeconds",631,"startMs",1107225,"endMs",1738395,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2&start=1107&end=1738","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2/thumbnail_1107225.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6675261/Fresno-City/Fresno-County/California/Residents-urge-city-action-on-shelter-capacity-and-relocation-after-evictions-during-unscheduled-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675261-380493bb67297aa6a425c965399696bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775436856&Signature=oIZWnUYzHvU-udTyeo-7JQdCVqup4XyKyT91F0x2knUjOVAxMK4XzZYh-W3Y4T6zyaUp6PF64VsKZVtEZ2EawT2kFYi7rcN8ugKdd7A56ZxK5pPDhaz2DOEKmzccW0Z8JaqTHzYK-cdB0ZyEiENKSna3ZI12SQdYABVEmZiVBevG1uPT8AhNH9aLAteRtpRdG7YesSBugIfN5ZkoJQ5MvBqIEPBNgxbKjGDzun2Rka85YCB4mcjhaS3ouBfsA8ag~Kh3Q2LWZGQlUSwZX319ikjVIj45jLKmjntgvFYZb38ZG5rv6WorjUwp4mccTR-OKbmlxZlNbkSYHThPBtdC9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Fresno, CA","date","2025-01-09T23:18:26.317Z","article","Several members of the public used the unscheduled-comment period at the Fresno City Council meeting to describe ongoing homelessness, shelter capacity shortfalls and individual eviction experiences.

A resident said children continue to sleep outside and described conditions at Paparillo House, saying staff limited admissions when demand exceeded capacity and that heaters were not turned on until the resident called city staff. The speaker asked the council to spend time with families at Paparillo House to see conditions firsthand and questioned the use of police for regular morning sweeps on Santa Clara Street.

Kong Cha (first name provided as “Kong” in public comment) and Ricky Cha described their experience with the city’s VIP program and an eviction. They said the Cha family received a $7,000 payment to their landlord to secure housing under a relocation or assistance program but were later evicted within a year. Ricky Cha said the eviction arose from a landlord demand for a $300,000 renter’s liability insurance policy; the tenant had a $100,000 policy and the landlord asserted the larger amount was required, which the tenant said led to eviction proceedings. The family said they returned to the street and sought housing assistance again.

Gallo Resendez, a student at Fresno City College, urged council attention to youth homelessness and rising mental-health needs, and suggested bringing youth programming and summer training to help young people obtain jobs and services.

Speakers also raised concerns about shelter operations: capacity limits (one speaker said staff told some families to return the next day after taking more sign-up numbers than beds available), pet policies that force owners to surrender pets to access shelter, and the adequacy of outreach or communications for residents with disabilities (Kong Cha described being vision-impaired and requested braille or other accessible materials when signing shelter paperwork).

City staff did not provide substantive responses to these public comments during the unscheduled-comment period in the transcript; the council proceeded to closed session items afterward. Public commenters requested follow-up and investigation into eviction protection program referrals and shelter operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fresno City Council Meeting 1/9/25 Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents used the unscheduled public-comment period to report children and families sleeping outdoors, allege shelter shortfalls and describe eviction and relocation difficulties tied to a VIP assistance program.","taxTitle","Fresno City, Fresno County, California","taxId",3699,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6675266,"Council extends grant-funded outreach contract for organics program, staff say expansion will include radio and events",70,1001810,1072785,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2&start=1001&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2/thumbnail_1001810.jpg","/articles/6675266/Fresno-City/Fresno-County/California/Council-extends-grant-funded-outreach-contract-for-organics-program-staff-say-expansion-will-include-radio-and-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675266-9949e75bee4bccaf4bdfbd83929e393c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775436856&Signature=KHiuHf8yocEgIVBHrM~YPhuqJXYH~f3xt7MwX1KPNmGcKemyJiREzD4nPoSXRMZCifs4hzQYGwKhN8r0I3xbN~t6F0WcwQUPKk8O-bZnxYR8cdtKyqAs0EHmmAPqndrfUxOz4YzLUedgB-xxgUZQ9GrOz0Si-RlMapSJlp6mXVxv~73PTYnfJC49kXDln8jMjLuSaS3Tk1gnSwLQbRv8Tuk7baKjZ6Po42TrXY4M9k7KBBfkyEr~rIMGsThZatQSHGbg018XeCjOoROdpA62TrCHNXdkhNpaxf-UEh53t4DS5Dlw3kZk6BN5GDBMH1uBy4nY2edCcP3B6v3Mtv3EeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fresno City Council voted 5-0 to extend a grant-funded outreach contract with Southwest Strategies to boost public education about the city’s organics program.

During discussion, a council member questioned the current level of outreach, saying the visible materials had been limited to stickers on garbage cans. Staff responded the extension will fund a more robust campaign that includes fact sheets at public events, radio and television outreach and participation at additional events.

Council members sought clarification on the dollar amount of the extension. Staff corrected an initial exchange and said the additional funding requested for the extension is $128,000 and confirmed the work is fully grant-funded, not paid from ratepayer funds. The council approved the extension by unanimous vote.

No changes to ratepayer billing or program requirements were discussed; staff said the goal is to increase public awareness of organics collection through broader media and public-event presence.","The council approved an extension of a grant-funded contract with Southwest Strategies to increase outreach for the city's organic-waste program; staff said the extension funds additional radio/TV outreach and public-event participation and is not paid from ratepayer funds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6675269,"Council approves on-call relocation consultant contract to support real estate transactions and shelter conversions",206,779695,986620,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2&start=779&end=986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2/thumbnail_779695.jpg","/articles/6675269/Fresno-City/Fresno-County/California/Council-approves-on-call-relocation-consultant-contract-to-support-real-estate-transactions-and-shelter-conversions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675269-9cd9c2b724d71f1488dec04696eb427b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775436856&Signature=Ub5B1O21u6CjsaYxqYHP7w6LzmPH2UYFdr4DT~qAsECTa7bgR03djugI6RtF6nSyHnFGQ7ShclC7k4sWUWY8FZnKL2tS34eW5JVfZh-cSDi0wWoUmyzSGELh-LXV-UZJirmb6fxNNaEmaWB8X6Us3c1IcvMwQ1~luLvnA7n7r0wy2bU8DgTSVevAan~3UbrjTMXYBu-ymag0pLK7X3WPCfA99bbvb8v1hLIfErkZKc1fPJjh-Y8CaDOnysEGNBnPyfcoj8fQVrPddwdVftZYwVrWpwgKcw~0iMt9jnvOfQ-gKJ1TTfsOaGBOP0hZ8OrOq2R8-YYsV3y8t831qg2nbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fresno City Council approved a contract to secure on-demand real estate acquisition and relocation services to support planning, grant-related acquisitions and conversion of shelter sites.

Phil Sky, assistant director of planning and development, said the planning department and public works have historically used relocation consultants for projects that require compliance with federal relocation requirements, and that the city is procuring Hamner Jewell and Associates to provide those services on an as-needed basis. Sky said expected uses include transactions tied to grant awards and converting existing Homekey motel acquisitions, and noted the council previously adopted a resolution to dispose of one site to the Cesar Chavez Foundation.

Council members asked whether the city has used relocation consultants previously and whether the chosen consultant has experience with Fresno projects. Staff said the consultant has supported the city’s senior activity center project and the planning department has relied on public works’ consultants in the past. Sky said public works’ relocation consultant work was previously made available to planning when needed, and that this contract formalizes on-demand access for planning and capital projects.

A council member said relocation will be key when transitioning shelter occupants and emphasized the need for experienced consultants to avoid placing people back on the street. Staff responded the consultant has prior work with the city and the contract will be used only as needed.

A motion to approve the contract carried 5 to 0.","The council approved a contract to procure relocation and acquisition services (on-demand) to support anticipated real-estate work tied to grant awards and transitions of shelter sites; staff said the consultant has previously worked with the city on Homekey and senior activity center projects.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6675274,"Council allocates reimbursement appropriation for Fresno Fire mutual-aid deployments",414,353889,767970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2&start=353&end=767","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2/thumbnail_353889.jpg","/articles/6675274/Fresno-City/Fresno-County/California/Council-allocates-reimbursement-appropriation-for-Fresno-Fire-mutual-aid-deployments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675274-0f6b2c336db33d455793d27f2e2e2fb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775436856&Signature=egnTJ2FRQ5oRn5leb~Mxew-AMT~cHLsWQMijPeynu8M5s8uRG4uYq5dFIILD4Oc310ZlJr8ZNC05AgJgSUSEh89mSPRtx121moCxmd9XCXdzye3P6WtKL6ZfBwDhm0ZKI64vFG7A3esGYlyUMW6l~B1VLkw-5zLOxbWdpf-eO23a8WQLmExdlvXtSRgg9BhVpaZ3j7q48Knh-Obfm5kq8BsInxtdwXKaxrnGLHXDr8vA9DH1CRDo3zQY7d8DRQCQk0cMEl7GmDEL0NHUmOU8xzGUyUiRlcdjPFpjROm0C3IV~JxsJym9A9zBZiNLC2CVdRB0AuyKhiMy8P~SiZ8HLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fresno City Council voted 5-0 to appropriate funds to cover overtime and associated costs from recent out-of-county mutual-aid deployments by the Fresno Fire Department.

Fire Chief Billy Alcorn told council members the department currently has about 18 personnel deployed under mutual aid — three engines with four personnel each (12 firefighters) and several single resources — working on fires including the Palisades and Eaton fires near Pasadena. Chief Alcorn described the city’s use of California Office of Emergency Services (OES) procedures for reimbursement: the city invoices OES for personnel costs, an administrative rate and equipment lease rates, and the state reimburses those expenses to the general fund.

Council members asked how the reimbursed dollars are managed and whether any excess could be directed toward firefighter health and wellness programs. Christie, the staff member who handles invoicing and payroll, said reimbursements flow to the general fund and the department must return to council to request specific appropriations for other uses. Staff also said the fire department is not running with excess revenue; current overtime costs have exceeded initial estimates and salary savings will cover a portion of overages.

Council members discussed timing and whether to delay the appropriation in order to revisit spending priorities; staff said the account has no remaining funds to cover ongoing mutual-aid costs and that the city will likely return for additional appropriations as the season continues. One council member moved to approve the appropriation that day; the motion was seconded and the council recorded the vote as 5 to 0 in favor.

Chief Alcorn also described ongoing local mitigation and training efforts with the San Joaquin River Conservancy, saying vegetation management and wildland refresher drills have been used to reduce local fire risk and to train personnel.

No changes to reimbursement procedures were proposed; staff said the city will follow OES invoicing and appropriation rules and return to council to request specific spending of any excess funds if they occur.","The council approved an appropriation to cover overtime costs from the city’s firefighter mutual-aid deployments; staff said reimbursements come from the state’s OES and flow into the general fund before being allocated back to the fire department.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6675277,"Council approves interior conversion of Garage 9 into city office space for housing division",342,320,342845,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2&start=0&end=342","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2099324-e618b23726cf9ea6c18c50a46a32deb2/thumbnail_320.jpg","/articles/6675277/Fresno-City/Fresno-County/California/Council-approves-interior-conversion-of-Garage-9-into-city-office-space-for-housing-division","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6675277-a1064115361801ab4c17de4939cf94a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775436857&Signature=MGvN8xJUhHO9Oj3anEeOOfTpusXGjCRuGf-oCPfekJQadaVQ~UhInb3y9odvy3Rqje4S2oLXVDSm5z82Wpd9OP0E9iQ3eJzcKJuSDANAA2iTbeLb5aBBVvl1ObneMBqqZ~XqpPqTzTeK0cCry0t-TVe8wPf2FC7pYrPQ2G7Zza-p9uDw8YdltDNtVhI9Jc~~UIJ8Ecp5EDaIMHPan29QlYYxBqj-W2OiXR6iNVAm5aCI2sOVG05RbIRHvh~jiObwSXzDyByFgCiW8O9ISB4YoYiDq072FfQpnCiZpGCM5PnORn077ptD8GwNuEb9c~nZFmsZNyLFwiGGUXiXI0lPJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Fresno City Council on a 5-0 vote approved a project to convert large portions of Garage 9 into office space that will house the city’s Housing and Homeless Division.

City staff and project representatives told the council the work is primarily an interior remodel to create offices, conference rooms and management space, and includes asbestos remediation, new mechanical systems, new finishes and some ADA path-of-travel adjustments outside the first-floor doors. “Virtually nothing… 99% of what is occurring is happening interior, inside the walls for the purposes of establishing the office space,” one staff member said during the discussion.

Council members raised concerns that the agenda caption “garage renovation” could be misleading because the project does not substantially rehabilitate the public parking structure. A council member asked what would happen if a later structural study found problems that required the garage to close after the city had spent money on interior work. Staff said the project includes striping and short exterior ADA improvements required by the change of use but does not fund major structural rehabilitation.

Staff said the city has an earlier Walter P. Moore study of parking assets and that, based on that and more recent reviews, Garage 9 is in relatively good condition compared with other garages. Director Clark said there are “medium and low priority” projects in various garages and that larger structural modernization is being addressed separately through an automation project for which funds were appropriated at a prior meeting.

A council member noted the project was advanced at the council’s request to reutilize a city-owned, underused asset rather than continue leasing space for departments. Staff confirmed the interior conversion has been discussed with council repeatedly over the last two years and is intended to consolidate city department functions into this building.

The council voted to approve the project when a motion and second were put before the body; the clerk recorded the motion as passing 5 to 0.

Council members did not identify a dedicated funding source in the discussion for any future, unforeseen major structural repairs to the garage if they were discovered after interior conversion; staff said such needs would be handled through existing budget processes and prioritized against other parking asset needs.","The Fresno City Council approved a project to convert much of Garage 9’s interior into offices for the Housing and Homeless Division; council members were told the work makes minimal changes to the parking structure itself and includes limited ADA path-of-travel improvements.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge city action on shelter capacity and relocation after evictions during unscheduled public comment

Council extends grant-funded outreach contract for organics program, staff say expansion will include radio and events

Council approves on-call relocation consultant contract to support real estate transactions and shelter conversions

Council allocates reimbursement appropriation for Fresno Fire mutual-aid deployments

Council approves interior conversion of Garage 9 into city office space for housing division