The Fresno City Council ratified changes to speed limits made by city staff along two northeast city roads.

A stretch of Friant Road from Shepherd to Copper avenues changed from 50 miles per hour to 45. On Friant between Copper Avenue and Copper River Drive, the 55 MPH limit is now 50.

On Audubon, between First and Del Mar, the limit dropped from 40 MPH to 35.

The area of Friant and Audubon is known for its traffic accidents and deaths. A neighbor in that area even set up a YouTube channel documenting accidents called Friant Roulette.

Videos depict collisions caused by speeding, red light runners and general bad driving.

Scott Mozier, the city’s public works director, said accidents are not a factor in setting new speeds.

The new standards are based on state law, Mozier said. The city conducted a speed survey for the roads. The new limit (rounded by five) is set at the 85th percentile of traffic.

In recent years, the city made traffic safety improvements on Friant Road, including no right-hand turns, more visible traffic lights, and crosswalks.

“We are not aware of any design flaw in that area. Certainly grade separations are … nearly always preferred, but those are extremely expensive projects to build bridges and grade separate roadways,” Mozier said.

The city council voted 7-0 on the consent calendar agenda, without further discussion. The changes included several other roads in the city.

More Parks Made High Priority Through Measure P

The formula to spend Measure P funds on parks in the highest need will include more parks, the city council decided. The current spending plan calls for spending at least 33% in neighborhoods in the highest-need areas. A consultant tested changing that threshold to 10%, 25% or 50%. Survey respondents said they wanted to expand to 50% and the city council agreed.

At the 33% level, 23 parks are covered. The new definition also includes empty lots controlled by the parks department At 50%, 64 parks and facilities are covered.

Of the estimated $38 million that is collected in the Measure P three-eights of a percent sales tax, 46% goes to maintaining current parks, and 21.5% goes to new parks. The rest is for trails and various programs.

The city uses 11 metrics to determine what neighborhoods are considered “high need.” Those factors include existing conditions, demographics of the neighborhood, and pollution burden.

The 6-1 vote follows a 6-0 recommendation form the parks commission. City Councilmember Nelson Esparza voted against changing the allocation percentage.

“Raising the threshold too much defeats the purpose of highest need and spreads thin the amount of dollars available to some of the neediest District 7 parks,” Esparza told Politics 101.

City Council Discusses Food Vendor Law

The city council formally introduced an ordinance regulating mobile street vendors. Among the changes are locations were vendors can sell, the requirement for bossiness and health permits, and no cooking in public.

Several street vendors spoke, asking the city council to delay its decision to allow more time to understand the impact. A divided city council voted 4-3 for the introduction, but said the ordinance may change again when it returns to the agenda on Dec. 5.

A potential $25 fine gave some councilmembers angst.

“That’s really a huge bite out of the very humble living that these vendors are making,” Esparza said.

Tyler Maxwell also felt unease with fines, which could go up to $100. He is not sure more regulation is the answer.

Councilmember Miguel Arias — who helped formulate the plan — defended the ordinance. He said the policy gives vendors time, a six-month grace period. Arias said regulations are needed for health and safety.

“I think appreciate the fact that people don’t like the rules, but rules are important to keep people safe,” Arias said.

Annalisa Perea, Mike Karbassi, Arias, and Garry Bredefeld voted yes; Maxwell, Luis Chavez and Esparza voted no.

Other City Council Action

• The city council removed from the agenda a plan to spend $800,000 to purchase and rehabilitate two homes and make them affordable housing. No reason was given.
• By a 6-1 vote, the city council approved a new vetting process for participants of a violence prevention program. Mike Karbassi voted no.
  

  Related Story: Fresno Council Wants Stiffer Vetting for Violence Prevention Trainees

• During a break in the action, four city councilmembers kibitzed with what is likely their new colleague, Nick Richardson. Maxwell, Esparza, Karbassi, and Bredefeld chatted with Richardson, who attended part of Thursday’s meeting. Actually, Bredefeld will not serve with Richardson, as Richardson is set to succeed him as the District 6 councilmember.