Dozens of public speakers told the council that a citywide spike in unaltered, free-roaming dogs is creating public-safety and animal-welfare crises and urged immediate funding for mass spay-and-neuter clinics and policy changes to support verified rescuers; councilmembers and staff discussed resources and limits.

Council created an ad hoc policy-review committee to examine ordinances and policies and approved amendments to the Transparency Act directing the clerk to create a single online hub consolidating public contracts, disclosures and filings; staff were asked to provide an initial plan and links within 30 days.

Councilmembers debated increases across multiple city fees — from animal center deposits to water and special-haul charges — and voted 4-3 to postpone the master fee schedule to Feb. 19 to allow staff and council more time to review proposed dollar changes and impacts on residents.

Council approved acceptance of state Homekey Plus funds and related regulatory agreements for La Hacienda, directing the city to appropriate the award and reserving 17 units for veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness; referrals will run through the coordinated entry system and veteran-serving organizations.

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission heard staff explain the city''s athletic facility reservation policy and its corrective-action procedures, while several Hispanic and amateur soccer leaders urged fair treatment after suspensions and asked for clearer appeal and enforcement procedures.

Council approved a first amendment to a district consulting contract that raises cumulative payments near $110,000, prompting questions about deliverables and budget sources. The city attorney explained that 'approved as to form' confirms legal sufficiency but does not substitute for council approval of contracts above statutory thresholds; a closed-session disclosure later confirmed prior legal advice requiring council authorization for similar agreements.

At the Jan. 15 meeting council issued proclamations recognizing Brian Hughes' EMS career, declaring Ralph Edwards Day and Juan Esparza Loera Day, naming January Mentoring Month (Big Brothers Big Sisters), honoring Central East High School football champions, and proclaiming National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month with several nonprofit partners.

Council approved a contested-consent change order increasing a downtown infrastructure contract by nearly $3 million to cover additional concrete, paving and removal of an unanticipated underground tank; staff said the accelerated timeline to spend state funding reduced time for subsurface investigations.

At a contested‑consent session the council approved contracts to manage the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center and to buy police technology (Axon), while hearing a prolonged debate over renewal of the Visit Fresno County TBID and whether to assess short‑term rentals. Staff and council asked for additional controls and transparency before finalizing some TBID arrangements.

Hundreds of residents and advocacy groups urged Fresno council to reject changes that would criminalize camping and prohibit use of camping supplies; after extended public comment the council directed amendments to tightening language and removed an explicit sit/lie/sleep clause before approving a revised ordinance.

After hours of public testimony and council debate, Fresno council declined to certify the Southeast Development Area EIR or approve the specific plan and instead voted to refer items back to staff for targeted financial, infrastructure and phased alternatives analysis. The motion directs separate study of a consolidated business-park (South SEDA) and the residential element along with safeguards to protect schools and neighborhoods.

The Planning Commission denied an appeal of Development Permit P23-03606 for a 4,900-square-foot truck repair shop at 121 West North Avenue, concluding the proposal meets Business Park zone standards and air-quality and traffic mitigation conditions; commissioners added a condition that the onsite residence not be used as a dwelling.

Assistant Director Ashley Atkinson briefed the commission on the California Solar Rights Act and Secretary of the Interior Standards 9 and 10. Staff said jurisdictions may not deny permits but may request alternative configurations that do not increase cost or reduce efficiency beyond a 10% threshold under Civil Code Section 714.

City staff opened a public hearing on the draft PY2026 annual action plan — the process for allocating an estimated $11.7 million in HUD entitlement funds — and heard extensive public comment urging greater outreach, lived‑experience inclusion, low‑barrier shelter services, and investment in affordable housing and infrastructure.

The council approved a set of consent and contested items, including a CFD annexation, pro‑housing application actions, shelter contract extensions, and an amended ordinance on kratom; vote counts are listed below.

The Fresno City Council celebrated an APWA Central California award for a multi‑site solar and battery program at three water and wastewater facilities, which staff said will generate roughly 47 million kWh annually, prevent about 26,000 tons of CO2 per year, create ~120 local jobs and save an estimated $120 million for ratepayers over 20 years.

After public testimony from users and business owners, the Fresno City Council on Dec. 4 adopted an amended ordinance banning high‑potency synthetic kratom products while allowing sale of natural loose‑leaf kratom to adults 21+ with a 1% cap on 7‑hydroxymitragynine concentration.

Council and the City’s housing successor agency approved a disposition and development agreement with Park Partners LLC for three city‑owned parcels near Chavez Stadium to support up to 160 units of housing marketed toward students; a required 40% of units must be income‑restricted and the developer must meet financing conditions by Feb. 28, 2026.

The City Council approved a $250,000 emergency allocation to the Central California Food Bank to help residents hit by delayed or partial SNAP benefits; councilmembers and the mayor said the payment is a temporary, targeted response while federal funds continue to be monitored.

After several hours of public comment and debate, the council introduced a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) mitigation program and associated EIR. Staff said the city’s unmitigated VMT baseline is roughly 67,429 vehicle‑miles per day and proposed a mitigation fee schedule and a five‑year project list. Council approved a form of the program for further,

After a multi‑year outreach process and a staff recommendation, the City of Fresno Planning Commission voted to forward to City Council the Tower District Specific Plan update, accompanying design standards and guidelines, and certification of the project’s environmental impact report. Staff and the environmental consultant said the EIR identifies

Following a closed‑session discussion, the council unanimously directed the city attorney to begin establishing a program for City Attorney staff to monitor polling places during the Nov. 5 election.

The City Council voted 6–1 on Oct. 30 to introduce an ordinance that incorporates state tobacco restrictions into the Fresno Municipal Code, allowing local inspectors to enforce flavored‑tobacco prohibitions under a $1.4 million DOJ grant. Council member Richardson voted no and urged a broader, locally tailored retail licensing program.

The council on Oct. 30 approved a Caltrans delegated‑maintenance agreement funding cleanup of encampments on state right‑of‑way (including SR‑41 from Shaw to Friant) and separately approved continued operation of city‑funded mobile showers and restrooms. The Caltrans action uses $400,000 and drew public concern about storage of personal property, '

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission approved the Fresno Arts Councils recommendations for the Expanded Access to Arts and Culture (EAAC) grants funded by Measure P, while public commenters pressed commissioners to address alleged conflicts of interest, Brown Act and scoring irregularities and to release awards promptly so organizations can开始