Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Will Council Override Brand Veto? Would be First in 12 Years.
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
August 14, 2019

Share

After five years of a mayor not executing a veto, Lee Brand in 2019 issued three. And, he may suffer his first veto override at Thursday’s council meeting.
If the council is successful, it would be the first veto override since 2007. The council reversed then-mayor Alan Autry’s plan to save his downtown riverwalk proposal. That same year, the council overrode a veto to protect workers’ compensation rights for public safety employees, and also restored funding for Storyland and Playland.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub
David Taub
Politics 101
Last week, Brand vetoed the council’s decision to ban retroactive raises for employees on the way out of City Hall. That passed with a 6-0 vote.
The council needs five votes to override the mayor.
In his Aug. 5 veto message, Brand said the council’s action went too far.
“I do not believe this new amendment complies with the spirit of the City Charter and I do not believe this amendment has been thoroughly discussed with the city manager and other members of my administration to fully understand and address its long-term implications,” Brand wrote.
Support for the original bill is unlikely to change. The override measure is sponsored by Miguel Arias and Garry Bredefeld. Esmeralda Soria said she still supports the original bill as well. So does Nelson Esparza.
Luis Chavez offered a more nuanced tone, saying he is open to all options.
Brand issued two other vetoes this year that were sustained: a May veto on the allocation of office space — which was eventually worked out between the administration and council, and a July veto on the budget involving the “Advance Peace” initiative.

Costs of Soria and Arias’ D.C. Trip

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, center, poses with Fresno Councilmembers Esmeralda Soria, left, and Miguel Arias, along with Fresno Grizzlies merchandise they gave to the New York congresswoman, on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
In June, Fresno councilmembers Miguel Arias and Esmeralda Soria booked a last-minute trip to Washington, D.C. They said it was to lobby congressional leaders on issues important to the Valley such as water and immigration.
The trip became best known for a photo op with New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, replete with Fresno Grizzlies swag. That followed the Memorial Day mishap where the team inadvertently disparaged AOC via a video attempting to inspire patriotism.
The total charged to taxpayers for the D.C. jaunt: $2,616.71.
According to documents provided by the city in response to a Public Records Act request, Arias and Soria charged $882.16 each for the flight, purchased just a day before their two-day trip in early June.
The taxpayer cost for two rooms at the Washington Court Hotel: $413 apiece.
Perhaps others bought their meals for them. The only other expense was a charge from the hotel for $26.38, listed as “facility fees.”
So, the total charged to taxpayers for the D.C. jaunt: $2,616.71.


Downtown Project Needs More City Help

For five years, developer Noyan Frazier Capital planned a mixed-use building with retail on the first floor and housing above it in downtown Fresno. Known as the South Stadium Project, it is an empty lot at the western intersection of Fulton and Inyo streets, adjacent to Chukchansi Park.
Now, the developer is asking the city to fill a shortfall, to the tune of $659,298. The request goes to the Fresno City Council on Thursday.
Developer Mehmet Noyan says rising construction costs and flattening rental rates have created the shortfall.
“It goes back to getting an acceptable rate of return. We’re putting equity out of our own pockets into this project,” Noyan said. The project would also utilize funding from a number of state funds and tax credits.
Of the 54 housing units, 20% would set aside as affordable housing.
Technically, the council will act as the Housing Successor to the former Redevelopment Agency, the legal entity that disperses money from the former RDA (that Gov. Jerry Brown shut down in 2011).
This particular request for money will come from the RDA successor agency’s affordable housing funds, executive director Marlene Murphey said.
Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria said she will recuse herself from voting based on her relationship with the other namesake developer, Terance Frazier.
Noyan said the project remains on track to meet its timeline, with groundbreaking anticipated for spring 2020.

Redistricting Meeting

In California, citizens draw the political boundaries for the state Legislature and Congress.
The deadline to apply for the Citizens Redistricting Commission has been extended to Aug. 19.
Power California, an organization focused on engaging young voters of color, will hold a meeting about how to apply to join the commission.
The meeting is Wednesday (Aug. 15), 6 p.m., at the Bitwise Hive (2600 Ventura in downtown Fresno).

DON'T MISS

What Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Could Mean for Americans: Fareed Zakaria

DON'T MISS

A Look at Fresno City College’s New $87 Million Science Building

DON'T MISS

California Gov. Newsom Says the Democratic Brand Is ‘Toxic’

DON'T MISS

‘Trump Slump’ Looms as Foreign Visitors Rethink Travel to US

DON'T MISS

White House Weighs Helping Farmers as Trump Escalates Trade War

DON'T MISS

Torpedo-Shaped Bats Draw Attention After Yankees Hit Team-Record 9 Homers

DON'T MISS

Silver Fire Grows to 1,250 Acres, Threatens Homes in Inyo County

DON'T MISS

3 Kids Killed in Michigan When Tree Hits Vehicle During Weekend Storm

DON'T MISS

March Madness Guide: All No. 1 Seeds in Final Four After Houston and Auburn Win

DON'T MISS

Trump Family Pushes Further Into Crypto, Starting Another Venture

UP NEXT

Utah Becomes the First State to Ban Fluoride in Public Drinking Water

UP NEXT

Wilmer Flores’ 3-Run Homer in the 9th Inning Propels Giants to Victory Over Reds

UP NEXT

Democrats’ Popularity Plummets, yet Midterm Prospects Remain Strong

UP NEXT

USDA Explores Why US Egg Shortage Contrasts with Canada’s Abundant Supply

UP NEXT

Cuts Leave Social Security System in Disarray With Millions Affected

UP NEXT

Hyundai to Build $5.8B Steel Mill in Louisiana, Creating 5,400 Jobs

UP NEXT

Supreme Court Backs Biden’s Ghost Gun Regulation Requiring Serial Numbers, Background Checks

UP NEXT

Trump Signs Order Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote

UP NEXT

Former Utah Rep. Mia Love Dies. She Was 1st Black Republican Woman Elected to US House

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Block Rehiring of Fired Federal Workers

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

‘Trump Slump’ Looms as Foreign Visitors Rethink Travel to US

53 minutes ago

White House Weighs Helping Farmers as Trump Escalates Trade War

1 hour ago

Torpedo-Shaped Bats Draw Attention After Yankees Hit Team-Record 9 Homers

1 hour ago

Silver Fire Grows to 1,250 Acres, Threatens Homes in Inyo County

2 hours ago

3 Kids Killed in Michigan When Tree Hits Vehicle During Weekend Storm

2 hours ago

March Madness Guide: All No. 1 Seeds in Final Four After Houston and Auburn Win

2 hours ago

Trump Family Pushes Further Into Crypto, Starting Another Venture

2 hours ago

Justice Department Instructed to Dismiss Legal Challenge to Georgia Election Law

2 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest 12 for DUI, Plan More Enforcement Operations

2 hours ago

A Stroke Survivor Speaks Again With the Help of an Experimental Brain-Computer Implant

2 hours ago

What Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Could Mean for Americans: Fareed Zakaria

Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. trade representative, spoke with Fareed Zakaria ahead of what ...

1 minute ago

Michael Froman discusses the potential impact of Trump's proposed "Liberation Day" tariffs in an interview with Fareed Zakaria. (Video Screenshot)
1 minute ago

What Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Could Mean for Americans: Fareed Zakaria

Fresno City College students at the new Science Building
36 minutes ago

A Look at Fresno City College’s New $87 Million Science Building

40 minutes ago

California Gov. Newsom Says the Democratic Brand Is ‘Toxic’

A view of downtown San Diego, July 13, 2024. California is among the U.S. destinations that are ramping up marketing efforts to reassure international tourists that they are welcome. (John Francis Peters/The New York Times)
53 minutes ago

‘Trump Slump’ Looms as Foreign Visitors Rethink Travel to US

Soybeans are harvested near Stuttgart, Ark., Oct. 25, 2023. The Trump administration has discussed providing financial aid for farmers who may be subject to retaliation by America’s trading partners. (Rory Doyle/The New York Times)
1 hour ago

White House Weighs Helping Farmers as Trump Escalates Trade War

New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. prepares to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, March 30, 2025, in New York. (AP/Pamela Smith)
1 hour ago

Torpedo-Shaped Bats Draw Attention After Yankees Hit Team-Record 9 Homers

The Silver Fire has burned 1,250 acres near Bishop with 0% containment, prompting evacuations as strong winds hamper firefighting efforts. (CalFire)
2 hours ago

Silver Fire Grows to 1,250 Acres, Threatens Homes in Inyo County

A large tree rests on top of a mobile home at Millwood Estates on East Cork Street after a storm Sunday, March 30, 2025, in Kalamazoo, Mich. (Brad Devereaux/Kalamazoo Gazette via AP)
2 hours ago

3 Kids Killed in Michigan When Tree Hits Vehicle During Weekend Storm

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend