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Fresno City Council elects Karbassi president and Esparza vice president in opening meeting
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting the Fresno City Council approved nominations to fill council leadership roles; Council Member Maxwell nominated Karbassi for president and Esparza for vice president and the motion was adopted during the meeting record. The item was recorded and later clarified by the city attorney for related procedural votes.
The Fresno City Council voted on Jan. 15 to install an updated leadership team for the coming year, approving the nominations of Karbassi as council president and Nelson Esparza as vice president.
Council Member Maxwell formally put both nominations on the table, saying she would like “to put forward a nomination for council member Karbassi as president and council member Esparza for vice president.” The motion was seconded and, as recorded in the meeting, the council adopted the nominations during that session.
Council members offered brief remarks of thanks and recognition. Council Member Bang thanked outgoing leadership for mentoring new members, and other members offered congratulations and best wishes for the year’s work ahead. The council president then noted logistics for a plaque change and a photo opportunity following the vote.
The approval occurred as part of the regular Jan. 15, 2026 meeting, which began at 9:12 a.m.; the council clerk recorded the motion as passing in the meeting minutes. The city attorney later requested a clarification in the official record concerning votes on a related 9 a.m. elections item; the transcript reflects a subsequent notation about an abstention on a related procedural vote. The clerk recorded the attorney’s correction in the official minutes.
No policy changes were attached to the leadership vote. The council moved on to a series of proclamations and the day’s public business following the election vote.
What’s next: The newly chosen leadership will preside over upcoming council agenda items and the mayor and staff said they will work with council members on scheduling and policy committee assignments.
