Casino Move Put on Hold; Fresno Council Discusses Vaccine Mandate

Card dealers, security guards and animal rights advocates all lined up to speak in support of Club One Casino moving from its downtown location to Granite Park.

“We just want to get back to work,” was the constant refrain. Dozens upon dozens of former Club One workers, laid off because of the pandemic when the casino closed in March 2020, urged the Fresno City Council to approve the permits needed for the casino to move.

Club One president Kyle Kirkland said his casino could reopen in weeks with the approval. He already started work renovating the empty buildings that once housed Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo night club.

Also in Politics 101: 

• Maxwell expresses concerns on Club One move.
• City council debates mandatory vaccines and masks.
• Critics quiet during redistricting hearing.

Maxwell Has Concerns

The Fresno City Council seemed generally receptive to the move. Then, Tyler Maxwell — the District 4 councilman who represents the Granite Park neighborhood — pumped the brakes.

He praised Club One, even joking about their vegetarian sandwich. But, then he delivered the bad news.

David Taub

Politics 101

“I do want to express to you the one cardinal sin that was committed, Mr. Kirkland, and that was the lack of outreach to the community around Granite Park Sports Complex. I think I told you that’s probably my top concern,” Maxwell said.

Maxwell said he would not reject the project, which was met to loud applause, but would delay the matter until Kirkland engaged in more public outreach.

Kirkland was not quite sure how to respond. He admitted he did not hold a community meeting, but felt his recent media blitz (including giving GV Wire a tour) was sufficient. He also said he reached out to nearby businesses and churches. A delay, Kirkland said, would cost the cardroom money.

Councilman Garry Bredefeld was livid. “This is not right. Just because you (Maxwell) have the power and up here and do this, doesn’t make it okay… This is bullsh** and wrong,” an angry Bredefeld said.

Maxwell responded by calling out Bredefeld for his no votes on marijuana policy, and his objections to the 2019 Grizzly Fest music event at Woodward Park.

The council voted 5-1, with Bredefeld voting no, to delay a decision until Aug. 19 and presumably take a vote if Club One holds its community meeting. Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria recused herself because her fiancé, Terance Frazier, operates the adjacent Granite Park recreation facility on behalf of the city.

To Mandate Vaccines or Not?

After Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a policy for state workers requiring vaccinations or weekly proof of negative COVID tests, several cities followed, including Los Angeles. The debate bubbled up at the Fresno City Council meeting.

The issue emerged during councilmember comments, thus nothing was official in determining policy.

“The vaccine rate of city employees, extremely low, quite frankly in my view, is disgusting when only a quarter of your employees that are essential to the running of the city have been vaccinated,” Councilman Miguel Arias said.

“I’m hoping that the city staff and the mayor figure out a way to work that. If not, this council will have no other option but to consider mandated vaccines as part of the employment and returning to work in this building.” Arias based his information on the number vaccine stickers issued by human resources.

Mayor Jerry Dyer said masks are required for employees who cannot show proof of vaccination. A meeting with county health officials is coming, he said.

Bredefeld said he would oppose any mandatory vaccines or mask mandates. He says he is not anti-vaccine and supports choices the people make for themselves. “Government shouldn’t be telling people what to do and what to put into their bodies. They just shouldn’t be doing it. And we certainly shouldn’t be doing it here at the city of Fresno,” Bredefeld said.

Council Vice President Nelson Esparza called for an emergency closed session meeting that took place later in the day. However, no official policy was voted upon.

Critics Silent During Fourth Redistricting Meeting

The City Council received another update on redistricting efforts from its hired consultant, Jeff Tilton of National Demographics Corporation. And like before, the same critics who loudly complained about the use of NDC were quiet.

Earlier this month, a group called the  Fresno Redistricting Coalition, representing six local civic organizations, questioned the credentials of NDC and said the firm would be put on notice.

But, when it came time for the public to speak at Thursday’s hearings, crickets.

Tilton said preliminary census data is expected to be available next month. He urged the first round of public and professional map proposals to be submitted by October 21. The city council should hold a draft map hearing on Nov. 4, followed by a second-round of maps and hearings.

A planned final adoption vote for district maps is Dec. 9. By law, maps must be approved by Dec. 15.