Fresno COG Policy Board

Jenn Guerra as of 02.18.26

Summary:  Fresno Council of Governments’ Policy Board, acting as the Fresno County Mayors’ Select Committee, along with the chairman of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, is tasked with appointing members to the Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee (COC) consistent with the November 2006 voter-approved Measure C Expenditure Plan.

The COC informs the public and ensures that Measure C program revenues are spent as promised.

The Measure C Expenditure Plan specifies that the COC shall comprise 13 members, including six at-large public members who respectively reside in each of the five Fresno County Supervisorial Districts. Three of the six must reside in the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area and two must reside in the unincorporated rural area of the county (east and west). The remaining seven members must be representatives drawn from a diverse mix of interested community organizations.

Members serve four-year terms, with a maximum limit of eight years on the committee. Appendix G of the Measure C Extension Expenditure Plan (attached) states the Committee’s duties and responsibilities. Currently, there are four (4) vacancies on the Oversight Committee:

• Three positions for community organization representatives
  (Organization/agency/service clubs/chamber, etc. must provide applicant with a letter of recommendation.)
• One public-at-large positions representing the following:
  • Unincorporated rural Area West of State Route 99 (Supervisorial District 1)

Jenn Guerra is applying to serve as the representative for the “Community organization representative” and will represent the Cultural Arts Rotary Club of Fresno. If approved, her term would begin on February 27.

Fresno COG and Fresno County Transportation Authority staff will continue recruiting new members until all the positions are filled.

Measure C Citizen Oversight Committee webpage:  fresnocog.org/citizen-oversight-committee/

Action: Staff and TTC/PAC recommend the Fresno County Mayors’ Select Committee appoint Jenn Guerra to the Measure C Oversight Committee as the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area (Supervisorial District 4) representative.

All items on the consent agenda are considered to be routine and non-controversial by COG staff and will be approved by one motion if no member of the Committee or public wishes to comment or ask questions. If comment or discussion is desired by anyone, the item will be removed from the consent agenda and will be considered in the listed sequence with an opportunity for any member of the public to address the Committee concerning the item before action is taken.

January 29, 2026 Board Minutes

ACTION: Approve the January 29, 2026 Policy Advisory Committee meeting minutes.

FCOG-SSTAC-Member-List-ao-0126-0

Summary: Fresno COG’s Policy Board formed the Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee (SSTAC) in May 1988 to respond to state legislation, coordinate social service transportation, assist the Board in identifying transit needs throughout Fresno County, review and recommend action for Fresno COG to address at its unmet transit needs hearing, and advise Fresno COG on other transit issues.

The Board appoints SSTAC members for two-year terms, including the chairmanship. At the January 2026 SSTAC meeting, the Committee voted to appoint as chairperson Katherine Martindale of the Fresno County Department of Social Services, replacing Moses Stites of the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA) who retired in December 2025.  Ms. Martindale accepted the chairmanship for a one-year term with the option to serve a second year.

Janelle Del Campo, the new FCRTA executive Director, assumes Mr. Stites’ seat on the Committee.  Also appointed to SSTAC was Adam Tsudama, the new transit manager at Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (FEOC) replacing Thomas Dulin who was promoted to a new position within FEOC.

In summary, three appointments were made at the January 2026 SSTAC meeting.  Details are as follows:

Article III, Section 99238 of the Transportation Development Act requires a minimum number of SSTAC members in specific categories.  There is no maximum number specified in the TDA, and in the interest of diversity, staff are seeking additional nominations, specifically, members who represent underprivileged groups, social service providers for seniors, and potential transit users.  A complete list of SSTAC members is included in the agenda package.

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board appoint Katherine Martindale as chair of the SSTAC, and that Janelle Del Campo and Adam Tsudama be appointed to serve two-year terms.

City-of-Fresno-FAX-2025-26-TDA-Claim

2026-02-City-of-Fresno-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim-Resolution

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-02 adopting the City of Fresno’s 2025-26 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $56,919,640.

City-of-Reedley-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim

2026-03-City-of-Reedley-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim-Resolution

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-03 adopting the City of Reedley’s 2025-26 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,772,891.

City-of-Parlier-FY-25-26-TDA-Claim

2026-04-City-of-Parlier-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim-Resolution

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-04 adopting the City of Parlier’s 2025-26 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $976,932.

City-of-Sanger-FY-25-26-TDA-Claim

2026-05-City-of-Sanger-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim-Resolution

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-05 adopting the City of Sanger’s 2025-26 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,802,622.

2025-26-TDA-Claim-City-of-Kerman

2026-06-City-of-Kerman-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim-Resolution

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-06 adopting the City of Kerman’s 2025-26 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $1,169,560.

City-of-Clovis-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim

2026-07-City-of-Clovis-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim-Resolution

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-07 adopting the City of Clovis 2025-26 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $18,585,056.

6eb326c7-1924-4ad1-ae29-8015df47c50b

2026-08-County-of-Fresno-FY-2025-26-TDA-Claim-Resolution

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board approve Resolution 2026-08 adopting the County of Fresno’s 2025-26 Transportation Development Act claims totaling $11,144,129.

2026-27 Preliminary LTF Estimate.xlsx

Summary:  Fresno COG provided Preliminary Local Transportation Fund (LTF) estimates, which are released each February to provide member agencies with information to facilitate their budget process for the upcoming year. The final estimates will be adjusted for the Department of Finance’s 2026 population numbers and presented to the Board for adoption in May.  The County Auditor/Controller estimates 2026-27 LTF at $60 million, which is a slight increase over last year’s estimate.

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

2026-27 Preliminary STA Estimate.xlsx

Summary:  Fresno COG provided preliminary State Transit Assistance (STA) estimates, which are released each February to provide member agencies information to facilitate their budget process for the upcoming year. The final estimates will be adjusted for the Department of Finance’s 2026 population numbers and presented to the Board for adoption in May.  The State Controller’s Office has estimated the fiscal year 2026-27 State Transit Assistance (STA) apportionment at $11,104,717, a 9% ($1,096,794) decrease from last year’s estimate.

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

2026-27 Preliminary SGR.xls

Summary: Fresno COG provided preliminary State of Good Repair (SGR) estimates, released each February, to inform member agencies’ budget processes for the upcoming year. The final estimates will be adjusted to reflect the Department of Finance’s 2026 population numbers and presented to the Board for adoption in May.  The State Controller’s Office has estimated the fiscal year 2026-27 State of Good Repair (SGR) apportionment at $2,176,125, which is a $60,028 (3 percent) increase from last year’s estimate.

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide further direction at its discretion.

Summary: At the beginning of each fiscal year, Fresno COG must determine funds available from the TDA Local Transportation Fund (LTF) for allocation to local agencies within Fresno County. Allocations are issued in four categories: bicycle and pedestrian facilities, social service transportation, regional transportation planning, and public transportation. In certain cases, funding from the public transportation category can be applied to local streets and roads in individual jurisdictions if a finding has been issued that there are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet within the jurisdiction; however, public transit must be given priority. As a result, prior to allocating LTF funds for any use other than public transit in the public transportation category, Fresno COG must first identify any unmet public transit needs that may exist in Fresno County that are reasonable to meet. The Unmet Transit Needs Assessment process is conducted to identify any unmet transit needs and make any related findings.

Unmet Transit Needs Public Outreach

Public outreach is an essential component of the annual Unmet Transit Needs process. This year, the public outreach component consists of an online survey, five in-person events, one virtual event, and a public hearing.  Additionally, comments can be received by email, phone and text.  Details are below:

Unmet Transit Needs Survey

An online survey for transit riders is available online through April 3, 2026, at:

English: https://publicinput.com/2026-utn-survey/

Spanish: https://publicinput.com/2026utnesp

It contains a widget enabling non-English speaking transit riders to submit their comments in their primary language.

In-Person and Virtual Public Outreach

For those transit riders wanting to provide their feedback directly Fresno COG and transit agency staff, in-person and virtual outreach will be taking place starting Tues., Feb. 20, and running through Thurs., March 6, 2026. Non-English-speaking individuals with those with disabilities or their representatives should contact Fresno COG at (559) 233-4148, at least three days in advance to request auxiliary aids and/or translation services necessary to participate in the public meeting.

The dates, times, and locations of each public outreach meeting are as follows:

Rural West Side Fresno County
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 19, 2026, at 
FCOG RTP /SCS Workshop at the Reedley Planning Commission Meeting
845 G Street,
Reedley, CA 93654

Rural East Side Fresno County
5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 24, 2026,
FCOG RTP / SCS Meeting at the Kerman Community Teen Center
15101 W. Kearney Blvd.,
Kerman, CA 93630

Virtual Meeting
11:00 a.m., Sat., Feb. 28, 2026
Via ZOOM: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81749685269

City of Fresno, No. 1
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Tues., March 3, 2026,
Betty Rodriguez Community Library, Meeting Room
3040 N. Cedar Ave
Fresno CA 93703

City of Fresno, No. 2
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Wed., March 4, 2026,
Sunnyside Regional Library, Community Center Conference Room
5566 E. Kings Canyon Road,
Fresno, CA 93727

City of Clovis, No. 1
5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Thurs, March 5, 2026, 
City of Clovis, Clovis Transit Center
785 3rd St.,
Clovis, CA 93612

Other Ways to Participate

Transit riders can also submit their comments via voicemail, in English or Spanish, via email or text.

To email staff, use utn2026@publicinput.com.

To leave a voicemail message, call (855) 925-2801, and enter project code when prompted 5248.

Riders can also submit comments in English via text to: Utn26 to 73224, and in Spanish to Utn26esp to 73224.

Public outreach for the FY2026-27 Unmet Transit Needs process concludes with the public hearing scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thurs., April 30, 2026, at the Fresno COG Policy Board meeting at Fresno COG’s office, located at:

Fresno Council of Governments
2035 Tulare Street Suite 201, Sequoia Room
Fresno, CA 93721

Marketing activities for the FY 2026-27 Unmet Transit Needs will include flyers to be sent to the FAX unmet transit needs mailing list, articles published in the Fresno COG newsletter, flyers and postcards distributed to Fresno County Department of Social Services offices and social media posts through the Fresno COG social media channel. A community outreach hub is also available at:

https://publicinput.com/utn2026

Previous UTN Final Reports:

2025 – 2026 UTN Report – approved June 26, 2025

2024 – 2025 UTN Report – approved June 27, 2024

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide additional direction at its discretion.

FY-25-26-OA-Quarterly-Report-1-OCT-DEC-2025

Summary: The obligational authority (OA) target for federal fiscal year 2025/26 was set at $14,086,185 using Caltrans’ adjusted estimated OA total. Of that, the region has obligated $1,071,778 in combined Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) improvement funds as of Dec. 31, 2025. This equates to roughly 7.6% of the OA target. Attached is the list of obligated and de-obligated projects from Oct. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2025.

The federal fiscal year began anew on Oct, 1, 2025. It is the State of California’s goal to exceed the OA target and, in August, receive additional federal funds redistributed from other states to projects pending authorization. Fresno COG continues to encourage all agencies to continue submitting their requests for authorization. If projects do not receive authorization approval in August, they will be delayed to October 2026, the beginning of the new federal fiscal year 2026/27.

Please keep Fresno COG staff updated on any changes that could impact the region’s project delivery plan. Contact Blake Rincon at 559-233-4148 ext. 203 or brincon@fresnocog.org with any questions regarding fiscal year deadlines or the process of obligating project funds.

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide additional direction at its discretion.

Summary: Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) entered into a contract with Nichols Consulting Engineers (NCE) to update its regional pavement management systems. The contract is effective through March 31, 2026. The scope includes conducting pavement inspections, updating decision trees for maintenance and rehabilitation strategies, budget analysis, final reports and providing training to participating agencies.

All pavement inspections and the deliverables originally anticipated under the contract have been completed. A remaining balance of $34,788.24 is available. Extending the contract with NCE through June 30, 2026, will allow Fresno COG to complete any comprehensive regionwide analysis and to conduct customized geographic analyses within the county as needed, with technical assistance from NCE.

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board to authorize the executive director extend the contract with NCE through June 30, 2026. No budget adjustment is requested at this time.

Summary:  Fresno COG staff has launched a new GIS Open Data Hub to provide staff, member agencies, and the public with centralized access to regional data, maps, and GIS applications. The Hub includes GIS applications and maps developed in recent years, as well as selected datasets from partner agencies tailored to the region. Additional content will be added over time. Feedback and suggestions from member jurisdictions are welcome. The Hub is available at: https://gis-fresnocog.hub.arcgis.com/

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide additional direction at its discretion.

Summary: In developing of the regional climate action plan under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction program, Fresno COG plans to use excess budget to assist the City of Fresno in addressing its Greenhouse Gas Plan Update. The assistance to City of Fresno will not extend beyond the contract date of June 30, 2026, and will stay within the grant period, scope of work, and cost. The tasks will narrow in on the City of Fresno’s boundaries and expand on the identified GHG-reducing strategies in the CCAP-A. Fresno COG staff will work closely with the consultants and City of Fresno staff to ensure compliance to the grant guidance. Furthermore, Fresno COG staff will expand similar assistance under the next phase of the grant in the status report to the remaining 14 jurisdictions.

Action: Information. The Policy Board may provide additional direction at its discretion.

Safety Performance Management PM1 Targets for 2025

Summary: Caltrans, in cooperation with the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), is required to set the annual statewide safety targets for five safety measures, known as Safety Performance Management Targets (SPMTs). This is pursuant to the Federal Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). The safety performance measures are:

• Number of fatalities
• Rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
• Number of serious injuries
• Rate of serious injuries per 100 million VMT
• Number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries

Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) can either support the statewide target or set a separate regional target. Fresno COG has been supporting the statewide targets except for the first round in 2018 when Fresno COG set its own targets. In 2024, Caltrans had set statewide safety targets consistent with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s new requirement that would reflect constant targets between the 2021 and 2026 five-year rolling average. Fresno COG, in coordination with the safety steering committee, comprising of safety planners and experts from the member agencies, decided to support the statewide targets for 2024.

Caltrans and OTS agreed on a method for the performance measures of FY 2024, 2025, and 2026 that builds on trends during COVID and other impacts that are causing fatalities and serious injuries to increase. The State ensured that targets provide a reduction or remain constant compared to the 2021 five-year rolling average, aligned with the NHTSA rulemaking. Therefore, OTS set the 2026 five-year rolling average target equal to the 2021 five-year rolling average and used the average annual change to calculate the annual 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 values. Caltrans had the same 2024 target for 2025 and Fresno COG also supported that target. Please see attached the white paper for 2024/2025 safety targets.

In preparation for the California 2026 Statewide Safety Performance Management Target (SPMT) setting efforts, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and MPOs coordinated at the MPO outreach webinar on Sept. 25, 2025. To be consistent with the Caltrans approach of safety target setting for FY 2024 – 2026, Fresno COG needs to continue supporting statewide targets for 2026 as it did for last two years. Based on this methodology, 2.84% and 3.69% are the annual reduction targets for the number of fatalities and serious injuries, respectively. Similarly, the annual reduction targets for the rate of fatalities and rate of serious injuries are 4.61% and 3.69%, respectively. The number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries are computed using 2.84% and 3.69% annual reduction, respectively, to calculate the annual target for 2026. Fresno COG will plan and program safety-related projects through various funding programs that will contribute to the achievement of these targets.

Action: Staff and TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board support the statewide targets for all five safety performance measures for 2026.

2026-27_OWP-Executive-Summary-020426

2023-24 Overall Work Program

Summary: The fiscal year (FY) 2026-27 Overall Work Program (OWP), totaling $17,899,508 is submitted for Board and public review. A summary memorandum is attached to this annotated report. The proposed budget decreased $20,592,948 from last year’s budget. The decrease is mainly attributable to completion of one-time large grants. Operational revenues remain intact, reserves are adequate, and the agency continues to operate within the bounds of prudent management.

The largest part of the decrease, $13,210,406, is attributed to anticipated project completion from the Regional Early Action Planning Grants Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) funds provided by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. A $2,059,638 decrease in FHWA PL revenues reflects progress completed on the regional pavement management system. Other significant decreases were: a $1,422,678 decrease for purchases of vehicles under the FTA 5310 program and a $1,152,086 decrease for work completed under the FHWA RIA Grant.

Federal revenues decreased a net of 30 percent or $3,155,147, reflective of the above-mentioned progress on the regional pavement management system, vehicle procurements, and progress on the FHWA RIA Grant.

State revenues decreased 81 percent, $13,500,310, primarily due to the above-mentioned REAP 2.0 grant.

Local revenues decreased 35 percent, $3,937,491, resulting from the cash match from transit vehicle procurement.

Staff salaries and benefits decreased 4% and 1% respectively as staffing levels remain unchanged from last year. Contingencies are carried for merit-based salary increases as well as for anticipated health insurance increases.

The OWP and budget will return for final approval in April.

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board release Fresno COG’s draft 2026-27 Overall Work Program and budget for public review, with final approval scheduled for the April Board meeting.

24-25-5310-Recommended-Funding-1

Summary:  Fresno COG is the designated recipient of FTA Section 5310 program funds for Fresno County, which provides capital and operating assistance grants for projects that meet the transportation needs for seniors and individuals with disabilities.  The funds may be used for projects where public mass transportation services are otherwise unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate; that exceed the requirements of the ADA; that improve access to fixed-route service and; that provide alternatives to public transportation.

In fall 2025, Fresno COG issued a formal call-for-projects totaling $1,741,617 in Fresno County Large Urban Area FTA Section 5310 funding. Staff received six applications requesting a total of $3,188,081 to support vehicle purchases and operating expenses. Of this amount, $3,014,081 was requested for capital expenditures and $174,000 for operating expenses. Additional details are provided in the attached FY 2024/25 FTA Section 5310 recommended funding spreadsheet.

A scoring committee comprising staff from Fresno COG, Clovis Transit, and Fresno Area Express evaluated the applications and developed the attached funding recommendations. Of the six applications received, three were recommended for full funding and two were recommended for partial funding.

Action: Fresno COG staff, the Section 5310 Scoring Committee, Social Services Transportation Advisory Committee and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board award $1,741,617 in FTA Section 5310 program funds for vehicle purchases and operating expenses, as outlined in the attached FY 2024/25 FTA Section 5310 recommended funding spreadsheet.

Summary: Fresno COG originally envisioned five potential land use scenarios for the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). After receiving more than 2,800 transportation project requests from member agencies through the quadrennial call-for-projects, Fresno COG developed land use and transportation files unique to the five scenarios.

Each scenario was modeled and computed for 2035, consistent with the guidelines set by California Air Resource Board (CARB). Fresno COG worked with the SCS Subcommittee to finalize the 12 performance indicators (land use and transportation measures) for this round of the SCS. Staff will be presenting the scenarios’ modeling results, along with the performance indicators, and recommending a preferred scenario to the SCS subcommittee in February.

Staff will also conduct a public survey and host formal workshops to present the modeling results and performance indicators to the public. The scenario the SCS Subcommittee selects will go through the RTP/SCS Roundtable in March. Staff will then present the scenarios and recommend the preferred scenario to the TTC/PAC and the Policy Board in March for the final selection. The selected SCS scenario will then be modeled for the environmental impact report and RTP/SCS horizon year 2049.

Action: Information.  The Policy Board may provide additional direction at its discretion.

Fresno-COG-LRT-Study_AECOM_Technical-Proposalr

Summary: Fresno COG, in partnership with the City of Fresno/Fresno Area Express, received a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning Grant in FY 2025-26 to conduct the Fresno Metropolitan Light-Rail Feasibility Study. The study will analyze the potential for a light-rail system in the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area (FCMA), primarily connecting major activity centers and neighborhoods within the FCMA such as the future California High-Speed Rail station, downtown Fresno, colleges, universities and K-12 schools, commercial and retail corridors, offices and industrial districts, and the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The study will include an analysis of prior studies, existing transit networks, capital and operational cost estimation, as well as a robust public engagement plan.

In October 2025, Fresno COG issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking consultants for the study, and formed a scoring committee to review and score the proposals. Staff received four proposals. The scoring committee, comprising representatives from the City of Fresno, Fresno Area Express (FAX), and Fresno COG, selected AECOM as the highest scoring proposer. AECOM is a leading global infrastructure consulting firm that provides professional services for planning, design, engineering, and construction management for major transportation projects and programs.

This study is expected to be concluded by January 2028.

Action: Staff and the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board authorize the executive director to enter a contract with AECOM for the Fresno Metropolitan Light Rail Feasibility Study for $758,297.

COG Rules 022626

Summary: Fresno COG’s bylaws require Robert’s Rules of Order to be used as the procedural playbook for Policy Board meetings.  At 643 pages, Robert’s Rules is a comprehensive but byzantine procedural process that has lent itself to confusion and misinterpretation across multiple agencies and in specific cases or votes, including at Fresno COG.  County Counsel Doug Sloan has proposed that the Policy Board adopt — functionally as an addendum to Robert’s Rules — an abridged version of those same rules that is only eight pages long and encompasses the vast majority of procedural questions that the Policy Board is likely to encounter in its normal deliberations.

Incorporating requirements under California’s Brown Act, as well as Fresno COG’s joint powers agreement and bylaws, the abridged procedures address officer appointments, Chair and Vice Chair duties, the order of business, procedures for general action items, the voting process, public comment, order and decorum, motions, reconsideration, closed sessions and several other procedural issues the Policy Board typically faces.

If adopted, staff and general counsel will keep a copy of this addendum on hand to address any questions or confusion that may occur during a Policy Board meeting as a quick reference to the procedural steps necessary to address most issues.

Action: Staff recommends the Policy Board approve and adopt the Meeting Rules of Procedure for the Fresno Council of Governments, dated February 26, 2026.

Fresno Air Traffic Control Tower (final)

Fresno East Terminal Expansion (final)

Fresno Runway Reconstruction Project (final)

East Side Cities Regional Corridor Improvements Project

Manning Avenue Regional Corridor Safety Enhancement - Parlier

Manning Avenue Active Traffic Management Safety Safety Enhancement Project - Parlier

Fresno COG - S Fresno Interchanges-BUILD grant

County of Fresno_EASTON

County of Fresno - MILLERTON

City of Fresno - Shaw 99

Fresno COG - Principles for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill

Dinuba Avenue Sewer Trunk Line – Unlocking Housing and Economic Development in South Fresno County

Digital-First American Job Center Access Pilot_Final_rev

2026 One Voice DC Delegate Form 1_26_25

2026 One Voice Priorities Matrix 2_18_26

City of Firebaugh - Flood Management

Summary: Fresno COG staff received the following list of 14 regional priority submissions for the 2026 One Voice D.C. Advocacy Trip, scheduled for March 22 – 26. A regional priorities summary matrix and the priority submittal forms are attached for review. The summary matrix identifies specifics Federal “asks” for each priority. However, some priorities are being evaluated for funding sources available to their project type. The narrative will be updated when information is available.

The submitted priorities include the following:

Airport Priorities

• Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) New Air Traffic Control Tower Facility Project
• Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) East Terminal Expansion Project
• Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) Runway Reconstruction Project

Road Priorities

• East Side Cities Regional Corridor Improvements Project
• Manning Avenue Active Traffic Management Safety Enhancement Project

BUILD Grant Support Priorities

• Shaw Avenue/State Route 99 Freeway Interchange Improvement Project
• Easton Complete Streets Project
• Millerton Road Widening and Safety Improvements
• South Fresno SR-99 Corridor Project (Cedar/North and American Avenue interchanges)

Other Priorities

• Principles for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
• Firebaugh Multi-Benefit Flood Management Project
• Dinuba Avenue Sewer Trunk Line – Unlocking Housing and Economic Development in South Fresno County
• Virtual One-Stop as the Primary Front Door
  (with a compliant physical comprehensive site retained)

Staff will provide a brief presentation on the priorities.

For all agencies seeking appropriation’s requests, the following portals have opened:

Senator Padilla:  https://www.padilla.senate.gov/services/appropriations/ —Applications due by March 13

Senator Schiff:  https://www.schiff.senate.gov/services/appropriations/ —Applications due by March 6

Congressman Fong:  FY2027 Community Project Funding Requests | Congressman Vince Fong —March 13 deadline

Congressman Costa:  https://costa.house.gov/appropriations —Deadline is TBD

Congressman Valadao:  https://valadao.house.gov/issues/issue/?IssueID=14931 —no deadline stated

Congressman McClintock:  Historically does not submit Congressionally Directed Spending Requests.

Congressman Gray: (Nothing on website yet)

Important deadlines for all those attending One Voice D.C.: (See attached participant information and forms)

March 1, 2026 (deadline extended) – A non-refundable $300 registration fee is required for each participant attending the 2026 One Voice trip. 

Sunday, March 1, 2026 – Hotel reservations deadline.

Action: Staff, TTC, and PAC recommend that the Policy Board approve Fresno COG’s 2026 One Voice regional priorities listing.

Robert R. Phipps re Engagement Agreement -- Legal Services Related to the Measure C Sales Tax - Feb. 6, 2026

Summary: Fresno COG’s joint powers agreement and bylaws state that “the Fresno County Counsel’s Office shall provide all legal services to (Fresno COG), the Council and any committees as specified … except the Council may retain independent legal counsel when it deems appropriate.”

Following calls at the Fresno County Board of Supervisors’ meeting for an investigation into the 2026 Measure C expenditure plan development, several members of the Policy Board requested that Fresno COG consider using private, outside attorneys for future legal services — at least for some period of time — given actual or potential conflicts with the County Counsel’s office as an agent of the County of Fresno.  This issue was addressed without resolution at the Board’s Jan. 26 meeting.

Since that meeting, the executive director has exercised his authority to retain the law firm of Richards, Watson and Gershon (RWG). The agreement is attached to this report. RWG represents multiple cities in southern California, including Beverly Hills, Moorpark, South Pasadena and Temecula, but also has clients in northern California that include the cities of Davis, Milbrae and San Bruno.  The firm also has an office based in Sacramento. RWG also has extensive experience in campaign finance and election processes.

Attorney Nicholas Ghirelli with RWG will be available during this meeting to address questions specifically related to Measure C; however, he also understands the scope of RWG’s contract may change depending on what direction the Boards provides staff.

While County Counsel’s services have historically been considerably less expensive than private-sector attorneys, there have been multiple occasions — many of which associated with Measure C — where the office has been forced to recuse itself or to recommend private attorneys who specialize in particular legal matters.  For the Measure C investigation, County Counsel has informed staff and the Policy Board that it has retained the Kaufman Legal Group to address this question.  That firm will report directly to the Board of Supervisors, bypassing the County Counsel’s office.

Should the Policy Board choose to contract with a private firm for future legal services, Fresno COG staff could either sole source a contract depending on the issue’s urgency, or conduct a request for qualifications and/or proposals, solicit a scoring committee from among the Board or members of its Policy Advisory Committee and return with a recommendation within approximately two-to-three months’ time.

Action: To be determined.  Staff is seeking direction from the Board regarding replacing the County Counsel’s Office with a private legal firm.