November 27, 2007

2007 Vote Record: Fresno Chamber Holds City Council Accountable

The Chamber works closely with local elected officials as part of our commitment to advocate on behalf of our members, business and to promote the economic vitality of our community.

 

We monitor their positions on issues ranging from fee increases and zoning to revitalization of downtown and public safety.  And, just like we do for our State elected officials, we track the vote records of our local leaders.

 

Important to our advocacy efforts are the many meetings that we hold with elected officials, and our attendance at City Council and Board of Supervisor meetings to present the business perspective and to listen to their points of view. The Governmental Affairs Council Leadership is very active in advocating on behalf of our members and tracking the results of our efforts.

 

Below is the vote record for Fresno City Council members for 2007, specific to issues The Chamber took a position on:

 

	FOR pro-jobs legislation	AGAINST jobs legislation	Percentage FOR pro-jobs legislation
Council Member Blong Xiong District 1	4	3	50%
Council Member Brian Calhoun District 2	5	3	63%
Council Member Cynthia Sterling District 3	5	3	63%
Council Member Larry Westerlund District 4	7	1	88%
Council Member Mike Dages District 5	5	3	63%
Council Member Jerry Duncan District 6	6	2	75%
Council Member Henry Perea District 7	6	2	75%

 

Click here for a complete list of all city council legislation tracked by the Fresno Chamber.

 

2007 City Council Legislation - In Depth

 

Photo Luminescent Lighting

Fresno Fire Department

 

The Fresno Fire Department has proposed to require the installation of photo luminescent exit path marking. The Photo luminescent exit path markings are automatically charged by exposure to light and will emit luminance after the activating light source is unavailable.  The lights are designed to outline the egress path, stairs, handrails and obstacles so the pathway is discernable in case of an emergency.  The markings will also assist fire fighters in the event of evacuating buildings.  Specifically the Photo luminescent lighting will affect 100 buildings in the greater Fresno area. The estimated cost is $400 per floor.

 

Major Street Impact Fees

City of Fresno Planning & Development Department

 

In February 2006 the City Council gave direction to impose a new major street impact fee program to implement the goals of the 2025 plan, the Fresno Major Street Impact Fee Program (FMSI Fee Program). Specifics regarding the FMSI Fee Program are as follows:

 

- The UGM zonal system has been replaced with two fee areas –a single Growth Area and a Core Area. 

 

- The FMSI Program will fund major street improvements in addition to the construction of bridges and railroad crossings, acquisition of a portion of the necessary right of way, and the planning and design of required improvement.

 

- The assignment of costs to land uses has been changed from a methodology based on trips by land use to a methodology based on vehicle miles traveled by land use.  The fee will be collected on net-acreage basis. 

 

- The impact fee calculations are based on residential and nonresidential growth projections for the City, based on the growth forecasts project development at build out of the City’s General Plan. 

 

- Gross acreage of each land use was converted to estimated net acres by using a reduction factor of 5% provided by the City. 

 

- The total estimated cost of improvements is $414.7 million.  $154.5 million in Regional Streets and $260.3 million in New Growth Streets.

 

Fresno Chamber Position

 

The Government Affairs Council supports the adoption of the City of Fresno first year Major Street Impact Fees, but not adopting years two and three until they can the cities staff can answer all of the developer’s requests.

 

Major Street Impact Fees (Override Mayor’s Veto)

City of Fresno, Planning & Development Department

 

The Mayor vetoed the adoption of the City of Fresno first year Major Street Impact Fees, but not adopting years two and three until they can the cities staff can answer all of the developer’s requests. The Council needed 5 votes to override the Mayor’s veto.

 

IBEW Appeal to Installation of Two Megawatts of Ground Mounted Solar Photo Votaic Panels

Council President, Henry Perea

 

The IBEW union requested a hearing to consider an appeal of the Planning and Development Department’s action approval of the installation of two megawatts of ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels at two different locations (Southeast corner of S. Clovis and E. McKinley and on the east side of Ashley Road between Clinton and Anderson) based on Environmental findings that challenged CEQA.  The Council was asked to support the EIR as presented.

 

Outdoor Dining Policy

Councilmember Jerry Duncan

 

The Department of Planning and Development proposed ordinance for special permits processing in order to process and approve applications more efficiently while maximizing the function and architectural compatibility of future outdoor dining areas.

 

General Requirements:

 

- In a unified shopping center with multiple tenant spaces, the width of the outdoor dining area shall not exceed that of the frontage of the establishment. 

 

- Outdoor dining areas where alcohol is served must provide an approved barrier approved to identify authorized areas of consumption.  Any proposed music for the outdoor dining facility shall not be amplified and comply with the City’s Noise Ordinance.

 

Repeal of Fresno Municipal Code Section 5-302b

Councilmember Jerry Duncan

 

Councilmember Jerry Duncan proposed repeal Fresno Municipal Code Section 5-302b. Fresno Municipal Code Section 5-302b states that the retail and wholesale license fees shall escalate on November 1, 1990 and shall escalate annually on July 1 of each year thereafter automatically, without further action by the Council. The increase shall be based on the Consumer Price Index, unless the Council determines the increase shall be deferred. This code has never been implemented and has been ignored by Council and the Mayor since it was adopted.

 

Forest City Development, Inc.

 

Request for the approval of the Forest City’s proposed design concept, District of Fountains, in order to move forward with the Environmental Impact Report; review the developer’s preliminary conceptual level feasibility Performa and direct staff to develop a financial plan and identify appropriate funding resources; authorize the Executive Director to finalize agreement with Impact Sciences for the preparation of the EIR; authorize the Executive Director to extend the NA to allow for the completion of the EIR.

 

Village of Hope

City of Fresno Administration

 

The City of Fresno Administration has proposed the City enter into an agreement with the Poverello House to expand their facilities capacity to better address Fresno’s Homeless Population.  This facility would provide space for up to 88 additional residents.

City of Fresno Agreement:

 

- The City will enter into a three year agreement, with two one year renewals cancelable by either party. 

 

- The City has engaged Fresno County Mental Health Services to coordinate and provide services at a modular building to be placed within Poverello House existing campus. 

 

- This agreement would not affect any future relocation efforts, assistance, or compensation negotiated with the RDA or the City. 

 

- Poverello House will work with the City to develop and report quantifiable performance measure that will measure the effectiveness of the program.  Poverello house will supply cots, blankets and sleeping bags

 

Fresno Chamber Position

 

The Governmental Affairs Council of The Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes the City of Fresno has a Homeless problem and that something needs to be done to address this issue and therefore supports the Village of hope with the understanding this is a short-term solution, but we continue to recommend that City of Fresno officials work with Fresno County officials toward a long-term solution. We recommend the two governmental bodies work together to obtain Federal, State and any other funding source available that would help pay for the facilities, care and solutions identified.

 

 Contact Amy Huerta, the Chamber's Government Affairs Manager for more information at (559) 495-4818 or ahuerta@fresnochamber.com