In the latest chapter of the bubbling fight over separation of power in Fresno City Hall, Mayor Lee Brand vetoed a resolution that attempted to restrict how staff pay raises are regulated. The city council voted 6-0 on July 25 to bar retroactive raises after an employee has given notice to...
Fresno Council Passes $1.2B Budget. What Will Mayor Do?
The Fresno City Council approved a $1.2 billion budget Thursday, but Mayor Lee Brand said he still might use his veto pen. In their eyes, council members got around being over budget by delaying some items, rescheduling them for the mid-year budget review in January. Those include spending on a community...
Advance Peace Isn't About Paying Gang Members Not to Shoot People
A renewed effort to convince gang members to become law-abiding citizens is coming Fresno's way. What that initiative looks like, how much it costs, and who funds it, however, will be decided over the next three months. That was the compromise hammered out by the Fresno City Council at Thursday's...
How AOC Became Part of Fresno Council Debate on Fire Fees
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has nothing to do with Fresno fire impact fees. The New York congresswoman certainly doesn't know anything about them. That didn’t prevent her name being evoked in a city council debate about it. The Fresno Fire Department says an increase in impact fees on new homes is needed to...
The Miguel And Garry Show Continues At City Hall
Sometimes, Fresno councilmen Miguel Arias and Garry Bredefeld can’t help trolling each other live on the dais or on Twitter. Whether it is battles over policy or personal potshots, the Miguel and Garry Show has been one of more entertaining parts of the council’s legislative year. This week, the two...
Canines, Rejoice! Beamer Dog Park Reopens with Improvements
Fresno reopened the Todd Beamer Dog Park on Wednesday, giving canines and their owners a revitalized place to frolic. The dog park at 1890 E. Plymouth Way was closed for more than a month as a project was completed that installed new turf, irrigation, benches and dog-friendly play activities.
One Fresno Splash Park Fixed. Two to Go.
Update, 6/05/19, 5:10 p.m.: The city reports that the splash pad at Todd Beamer Park is up and running. Says city spokesman Mark Standriff: "Todd Beamer splash pad is now running, thanks to an industrious staff member who salvaged parts from another pump to repair the broken one. We’ll replace it...
Dyer Plans Leave of Absence as Police Chief to Run for Mayor
Police Chief Jerry Dyer says he'll take a leave of absence from his law enforcement to focus on his campaign for Fresno mayor. Dyer announced his candidacy Wednesday at Manchester Center. He had announced months ago his intention to retire as chief, effective Oct. 15. He said he would step...
Community Leaders and Groups React to Brand’s Shocking News
Community leaders and groups had much to say about Monday's announcement by Fresno Mayor Lee Brand that he will not seek re-election in 2020: “During his time as a council member and as Mayor, Lee Brand has been a great friend to the Fresno business community. The effect of his...
$75,000 Raised for Fresno Vets Memorial at City Hall
One week before Memorial Day, Fresno councilman Garry Bredefeld revealed good news about the memorial project on City Hall grounds. At last week’s city council meeting, Bredefeld announced that $75,000 has been raised for the already-approved memorial. The goal is $120,000. The council approved a slight change in design. Instead...