Mayor Jerry Dyer pledged that the city of Fresno will pay women the same as men. Dyer, a Republican, signed First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s Equal Pay Pledge, joining five other cities.

Siebel Newsom, the wife of Gov. Gavin Newsom, is a Democrat.

“From the moment I was elected Mayor of Fresno, choosing a team that reflected diversity and gender equity was a priority,” Dyer said in a First Partner news release. “We continue making great strides in evaluating and making equitable improvements- and that leads to better service for the people of Fresno.”

Dyer touted that women make up 60% of his administration, including City Manager Georgeanne White, and Chief of Staff Kelli Furtado.

Fresno City Councilman Nelson Esparza applauded the Dyer’s signing of the pledge, saying he encourages others to “follow in the city’s example.”

“It’s only right the city of Fresno lead the way in ensuring women locally are not victims of the wage gap,” Esparza said.

Esparza helped establish the city’s Women’s Commission.

Also in Politics 101 …

What the pledge does.

Problems with the Fresno Women’s Commission.

Fresno Deputy Sheriff to serve on state police board.

Fresno County hires new COO.

What the Pledge Does

The pledge commits the city to:

• Conduct an annual company-wide gender pay analysis;
• Review hiring and promotion processes and procedures to reduce unconscious bias and structural barriers to equality; and
• Promote equal pay best practices, such as increased pay transparency, training on retaliation protections, and training for supervisors and managers on pay equity

Asked how the city plans to follow the pledge, Dyer said the city follows state law on equal pay.

“In addition, we are fully transparent with salaries and the public has full access to our jobs and pay at www.publicpay.ca.gov. In addition, the City Manager reviews reports monthly for the unclassified employees for pay analysis to ensure we are equitable and consistent.”

No Fresno representative attended the Tuesday news conference in Sacramento announcing the signing.

Problems with the Women’s Commission

The women’s commission was supposed to meet Thursday night in a Zoom-only meeting. However, such meetings are no longer allowed since the state emergency order was lifted.

Physical space could not be found at City Hall, as all the rooms were booked, and the special meeting was canceled.

Established last year as a seven-member committee to advise the city on women’s issues, the body is down to five members. Both Elisa Rivera (District 4) and Kacey Auston (District 2) resigned because neither lived in their respective district as required.

Esparza’s office — in charge of managing the commission — said votes made by members not living in their districts should remain valid.

But, finding out what happened at prior meetings is also a mystery. Esparza’s office has not posted minutes from any of the six prior meetings, and they won’t be posted for another few weeks. Although there is Zoom access to the meetings, no meeting was recorded.

The women’s commission meets at least once a quarter under the city council resolution establishing the group. The last three meetings have been special meetings. The commission is working on a deadline to award scholarships through a grant from the state women’s commission.

Every meeting costs the taxpayers. Commissioners are paid a $50 stipend for each meeting (for a maximum of $500 each in a calendar year).

After publication, Esparza’s office said funds come from a state grant through the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. Regarding the posting of minutes, they said they are working on it.

Fresno Deputy Appointed to State Police Post

Eric Schmidt, a Fresno County deputy sheriff who lives just outside of Fresno, will serve on a state commission that establishes law enforcement standards. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Schmidt to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Tuesday.

Schmidt says he is “honored and humbled.”

“I feel I will be able to represent the law enforcement men and women who work in the Central Valley that serve our communities. I am looking forward to interacting with our police chiefs and sheriffs along with our rank and file throughout the state. Law Enforcement, like any profession, has to mold and change to our communities,” Schmidt told Politics 101.

Schmidt, 47 and registered with no party preference, is also president of the deputy’s union. The three-year term requires Senate confirmation and the position does not receive compensation.

Newsom also appointed former Assemblyman and new Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper to POST as well.

Fresno County Hires New Manager

The top administrator in Kings County is now joining Fresno County.

County Administrative Officer Paul Nerland announced he is bringing Ed Hill on as chief operating officer. Hill is currently the CAO of Kings County.

The COO is second in command administratively. He succeeds Nerland, who was promoted to CAO last year.

“He understands the unique challenges that we face in the San Joaquin Valley and brings that perspective to Fresno County. He will make an incredible impact not only in the CAO office, but to the residents of Fresno County,” Nerland said in a news release.

Hill will receive a $220,000 base salary.