Councilmember Miguel Arias led a one-man crusade, warning against a trash contract that could lead to doom. No one else listened.

The Fresno City Council capped a nine-hour meeting Thursday by amending a trash-hauling contract with Orange Avenue Disposal Company. The vote was 6-1, with Arias opposed.

City Manager Georgeanne White said the sixth amendment to the contract — first approved in 2004 — stems from a settlement the council approved at its last meeting but discussed publicly for the first time Thursday. The amendment extends OAD’s contract one year, through 2035. The contract is valued at $10 million.

“The matters that have been pending are very complex and not generally understood by individuals outside the solid waste industry. We are thankful this is behind us and we can move forward,” Caglia Environmental owner Richard Caglia said.

Settlement Based on 2018 Contract Missteps

The settlement stems from a dispute over whether the city overpaid Caglia Environmental — a company affiliated with OAD — under a 2018 amendment to the contract. The city council voted at the time to increase Caglia’s rates and begin a Proposition 218 process, which allows landowners to protest rate hikes.

The city did not timely call for a Prop. 218 election. Caglia told GV Wire in 2024 that his company followed all the rules.

Arias warned that even though the contract covers only nonresidential waste, it could eventually increase rates for all customers.

“This vendor is uniquely positioned to continue to increase rates for residents across the city. Every time we get close to putting this contract out to bid, this vendor magically gets an extension,” Arias said.

White said OAD cannot simply request rate increases but may seek adjustments when costs rise to comply with legal mandates. An increase in the state minimum wage is one example, she said.

The contract allows annual 3% increases based on the cost of living.

Arias asked why the contract wasn’t put out to bid. White and City Attorney Andrew Janz said the legal settlement made that unnecessary.

Vote Sets a Bad Precedent: Arias

Arias continued pressing the issue, noting Mid Valley Disposal also has a transfer station that could compete with OAD. Arias got in hot water in 2023 for accepting a flight from owners of Mid Valley Disposal from Las Vegas to Fresno. The flight remains under investigation by California’s Fair Political Practices Commission.

The councilmember said the move sets a bad precedent by allowing a vendor to threaten litigation to force a settlement and avoid competitive bidding.

Councilmember Tyler Maxwell said he supported the amendment, citing positive feedback from constituents about OAD.

Caglia has two political contributions on record that fall just under the amount that would require a councilmember to recuse themselves from voting.

He contributed $500 to Annalisa Perea in 2020, but the amount was transferred in March to her state Assembly account. Nick Richardson received a $499 in-kind contribution in January. Under a relatively new state law, any amount of $501 or more would trigger a recusal.

City Buying Parking Lot Near Chukchansi Park

The City Council approved purchasing part of the parking lot across the street from Chukchansi Park in a 7-0 vote on the consent calendar agenda. The city plans to have a developer build a mixed-use space with housing, retail and a parking garage there.

Fresno Sports & Events Partners LLC — an affiliated company of Fresno Sports & Events LLC, which owned the Fresno Grizzlies until 2023 — bought the lot from the city in 2018 for $1.9 million.

When FSE sold the franchise to Diamond Baseball Holdings, the parking lot was not part of the deal. FSE installed solar panels in the parking lot that it said would reduce the team’s energy costs by 85%.

The Grizzlies lease the parking lot and solar panels from their former owner through 2026.

The $3.9 million purchase covers the portion of the lot between Inyo and Mono streets. The solar panels will be relocated. Several years ago, the city tore down a warehouse on city property in front of the lot.

Arias expressed concern that removing the panels would increase the Grizzlies’ energy costs, which are already subsidized by the city. He said the city should have considered eminent domain to secure the property.

Mayor Jerry Dyer said he is optimistic the panels will remain near the stadium and that he has no plan to provide further subsidies to the Grizzlies. He said there is urgency to build the parking garage so the city can take advantage of efficiencies by constructing it alongside another downtown garage.

Tower District Plan Approved

The city council voted 4-0 to update the Tower District Specific Plan. The document dictates land use and zoning.

Supporters told the city they want a more livable district, limiting pollution from nearby factories and light pollution. They also requested a library, which is not a city function but a Fresno County responsibility.

In an unusual aspect of democracy and disclosure, four members of the City Council — who would otherwise be disqualified because they either live in the Tower District or own property there — drew cards to determine who could participate.

State law allows a conflicted member to vote on an item if not doing so would prevent a quorum. Nelson Esparza, who lives in and owns property in the district, drew the green card and remained. Annalisa Perea, Miguel Arias, and Mike Karbassi had to leave the chambers.

New Interim Clerk Hired

The Fresno City Council appointed Amy Aller as interim city clerk following a 7-0 vote in closed session.

Aller replaces Todd Stermer, who officially leaves the city Monday after 17 years of service, the last four as city clerk. He is moving to Sacramento County to serve as clerk there.

“I am thankful for the city council’s trust in me to lead the city clerk’s office during this interim period. The community can be rest assured that this transition will be seamless. I wish Todd Stermer all the best in his new role and I look forward to working with the amazing staff in the clerk’s office,” Aller said in a statement to Politics 101.

Aller is a special assistant in the City Attorney’s Office, most recently assigned to the civil litigation unit. She joined the city in June after 10 years as a prosecutor in the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office.

She is a Fresno State graduate and earned her Juris Doctor at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Stermer had recommended that his assistant Bernard Canez take over.

The council directly controls the offices of the city clerk and city attorney. The city will engage in a national search for a full-time clerk.

Stermer has been a tremendous help to Politics 101 and we wish him luck in his future endeavor.

City’s Contract With Indicted Lobbyist Is Canceled

The City Council was scheduled to vote on encouraging the city manager to cancel the city’s contract with lobbyist Campbell Strategy & Advocacy, but it tabled the motion.

Greg Campbell plans to plead guilty in a corruption probe that ensnared Dana Williamson, former chief of staff for Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The issue became moot for two reasons. First, the city manager already gave the required seven-day notice to cancel the contract last week.

Second, Politico reported that Campbell is bowing out of lobbying altogether.

“None of the charges against me involve my lobbying, consulting or advocacy work, nor did I or my staff receive any financial benefit from anything related to them,” Campbell wrote in an email obtained by Politico Playbook. “Still, it has become clear that the right thing for my clients, my employees and those who have supported me is to step away and make a clean break.”

Campbell will close his office, end contracts and deregister as a lobbyist, Politico said.

City Honors Hmong Leader Neng Chu Vang

The city council honored Neng Chu Vang, son of Gen. Vang Pao and the family-designated successor. Pao was the military leader of the Hmong people who helped America during the Vietnam War and the Secret War in Laos. Pao and his family later immigrated to Fresno, where he remained a revered community leader even after his death in 2011.

Hmong and Laotian refugees began immigrating in 1975, marking 50 years in America and in Fresno.

“They’re true American heroes because we had so many downed fighter pilots during the Vietnam War, and they were the ones who would rescue them, care for them, and make sure they got back home to their families,” Mayor Jerry Dyer said.

Neng Chu Vang continues to volunteer and serve the Hmong community.