Fresno residents will have to wait a few more weeks to see how they will benefit directly from the gas taxes they pay at the pump.
Fresno City Council on Thursday tabled a resolution that would have approved more than $ 10 million in California state funds that would be provided through the excise tax that would go towards improving road infrastructure.
The Council will bring the decision back for approval before the one month deadline.
Councilors Garry Bredefeld and Nelson Esparza initiated the rejection of the resolution, dissatisfied with the way the city administration divided the funds between the individual districts.
The breakdown of how much each district would have received under the city map looks like this:
- District 1: $ 1,593,800
- District 2: $ 1,560,000
- District 3: $ 1,516,200
- District 4: $ 995,100
- District 5: $ 1,612,500
- District 6: $ 901,000
- District 7: $ 737,400
The city had also planned the following infrastructure projects, each of which should cover two parts of the city:
- Districts 3 and 7: $ 123,800
- Districts 3 and 5: $ 672,300
- Districts 1 and 7: $ 565,800
Bredefeld criticized the fact that District 6 ranks last in both single and multi-district projects.
“I can no longer watch how District 6 – which spends a lot of tax money and gives it to the city – does not get fairness in terms of returns,” said Bredefeld. “That’s why I’m here. That is not acceptable to me.”
Esparza, who represents District 7, and District 4 Councilor Tyler Maxwell agreed to Bredefeld and urged Mayor Jerry Dyer, City Manager Tommy Esqueda and the administration to change the distribution.
Councilor Mike Karbassi suggested that the city split the funds evenly and allocate approximately $ 1.5 million to each district.
On the other hand, Councilors Miguel Arias and Esmeralda Soria pleaded for the funds to be split as proposed, which is more appropriate to the city’s greatest needs.
The discussion prompted Dyer to point out that every councilor apparently wants their district to receive as much money as is appropriate.
“We want what’s fair, we want what’s fair, but I think fairness depends on what district you’re from,” Dyer said.
The city council directed Esqueda to go back to the drawing board and come up with a few different models for how the funding would be split.
Vacancy security
The Council unanimously passed amendments to the lapsed vacancy regulation proposed by Arias to reduce the risk of fire and ensure safety in and around vacant residential and commercial buildings.
From now on, vacant landowners will be required to provide the city with a vacancy plan, upon request, that includes plans for the building, a schedule for completion and measures to secure the property.
For vacant buildings, property owners must also meet the following standards:
- Install and maintain a fire protection system
- Install and maintain a security system
- Keep the property free of all flammable materials
- Remove heating systems and all fuel supplies
- Maintain emergency access areas, stairways and exit signs
- Put up a sign with property management information
- Post “No Trespassing” signs
- Carry out adequate controls
Infill incentives for residential buildings
The council also unanimously approved a fee exemption program for housing projects.
Under the program proposed by Arias as part of the Rebuild Fresno initiative, developers can be waived parking fees, police fees, fire service fees, and road tolls.
The program will also provide reimbursement of up to 50 percent for the cost of improving curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
Although the council did not determine the source or amount of funding for the program on Thursday, Arias recommended that the city allocate $ 5 million to the fund.