The Fresno City Council has considered paying for the defense of council president Nelson Esparza, who faces criminal charges of attempted extortion. The details remain shrouded, but discussions over whether to use public funds for Esparza's defense have been included on two recent closed session agendas. Esparza recused himself both...
Fresno Council Votes to Add More Cannabis Business Licenses
Update, 6/10/2021: The council voted 4-3 to approve increasing the available cannabis retail licenses to 21, up from 14. Garry Bredefeld, Luis Chavez and Mike Karbassi voted no. Only Chavez made a comment, saying he heard concerns from his constituents. Original story: Before awarding even one retail marijuana license, the...
Councilmen Big on Ideas, Short on Details for Eviction Defense
Two Fresno city councilmen made their pitch Tuesday for providing taxpayer-funded attorneys for residents facing eviction. But, the city legislators did not have answers on how much the plan will cost or what types of evictions will be covered. Councilmen Nelson Esparza and Tyler Maxwell said at a news conference...
Fresno Taking Next Steps to Aid Wrongfully Evicted
The Fresno City Council will take another try at helping residents facing eviction. Under the "Eviction Protection Program" to be offered Thursday, the council would direct the City Attorney to hire a contractor to provide legal help for renters facing "unlawful eviction." The plan is being introduced by councilmen Nelson...
Fresno Cannabis Openings Delayed Again. New Target Is 2022.
[Update 4/22/21, 10 a.m.: the item to change when cannabis business permit applications would become public record has been pulled by city administration to work on revisions. It will be reintroduced on May 13, with a vote scheduled for May 27. Also, Councilman Miguel Arias and City Manager Thomas Esqueda...
Homeland Security in Talks to Use Fresno Convention Center for Migrant Children
City councilman Nelson Esparza is offering the Fresno Convention Center to house migrant children arriving at the southern border. And, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Wednesday that he wants to discuss the idea. "There's a humanitarian crisis on the border. If we can be of assistance, we're...
Shedding its Old Smuggler’s Inn Moniker, New ‘Crossroads Village’ Opens to House Homeless
The rehabilitation of the building is done. The rehabilitation of individuals now living inside has just begun. Fresno County, RH Community Builders, and UPholdings acquired and rehabilitated the Hotel Fresno (formerly the Smuggler’s Inn) on Blackstone and Dakota avenues to provide assistance to homeless people. It officially opened this week...
A Fare Proposal? Councilman Wants to Make Fresno Buses Free.
In his first major piece of municipal legislation, Fresno City Councilman Tyler Maxwell wants to remove fares from the city's bus system. Maxwell will introduce the Zero Fare Clean Air Act at next Thursday's council meeting. He already has two co-sponsors — Nelson Esparza and Esmeralda Soria. "Unprecedented times call for...
Is Newsom Recall a Coup Attempt? Fresno Councilmember Connects the Dots.
Fresno City Councilman Nelson Esparza was one of several California Democratic Party officials who blasted a recall effort against Governor Gavin Newsom at a virtual news conference on Tuesday. Even though a recall is a Constitutionally-protected and legal activity in California, state party chairman Rusty Hicks called it a coup...
With Fines Starting at $1,000, Fresno Considers Ban on Large, At-Home Gatherings
Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias is sponsoring an ordinance to restrict the number of people allowed within a residence. The proposed rule will be heard at a special 4 p.m. council meeting on Tuesday. It needs 5 votes to pass. The item will be heard in an open session and...