Policy Advisory Committee

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.

December 12 2025 Minutes PAC

ACTION: Approve the December 12, 2025 Policy Advisory Committee meeting minutes.

Summary: The San Joaquin Valleywide VisionEval model development project was funded through residual carryover from the Valleywide Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) Program and previously authorized by the Fresno COG Policy Board in June 2025. The project has been completed in accordance with the approved scope, schedule, and budget, and resulted in a shared VisionEval model platform for the eight San Joaquin Valley metropolitan planning organizations. Model documentation, training recordings, and an online visualizer for demonstrating scenarios will be made available through the Fresno COG website. The tool will support regional land-use and transportation scenario planning, climate and emissions analysis, and coordination across Valley agencies.

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

2026 One Voice Priority Submittal Form

2026 One Voice Sponsorship Package eform

Summary:  One Voice Advocacy trips focus on a core group of regional projects and priorities with a transportation nexus around which the broadest group within the region can unite.

Fresno COG’s One Voice delegation seeks funding sources for projects that appeal to federal decision-makers and advocates for Congressional and Federal agency support during the competitive grant processes. By advocating for policy and regulatory reform, Fresno COG’s One Voice effort is responsible for legislation that today streamlines the way Federal and State agencies work together while eliminating unnecessary procedures so government agencies and the business community can work together seamlessly toward job creation for our communities.

The 2026 One Voice D.C. trip is scheduled for March 22-26. The call for priorities is now open through January 15. Submit a 2026 One Voice Priority for COG Policy Board Consideration using the attached pdf form, or request a Word version at this link: 2026 One Voice DC Priority Form The 2026 One Voice DC Delegation information and sign-up forms are coming soon, pending a signed hotel contract. Fresno COG is also soliciting sponsorships to help defer trip costs. The sponsorship package is online at the following link: 2026 One Voice Sponsorship Package eform – (pdf) Deadline March 1, 2026 Request Microsoft Word versions of the forms from staff It is imperative that Fresno COG’s elected officials participate in the One Voice D.C. effort, meeting with Federal Senate and Congressional members, White House staff and federal agency partners. We also welcome business, transportation and community partners who wish to participate in the trip and advocate for the approved priorities.

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

Background: In July 2023, Fresno COG accepted on behalf of the Fresno Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) a $1 million Climate Pollution Reduction Planning Grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan Analysis (CCAP-A) is the second deliverable of the EPA’s grant. Fresno COG submitted the Priority Climate Action Plan on March 1, 2024. In June 2024, Fresno COG contracted with LSA Consultants due to their experience in environmental plans, detailed work plan, expertise in the region, and versatile team with emphasis on public outreach and design. The next and final deliverable will be the Status Report, which will assess the implementation of any identified strategy in the CCAP-A.

Summary: The CCAP-A identifies that reducing GHGs will not only address climate change but also deliver co-benefits such as improved air quality, lower household energy costs, and new economic opportunities in clean energy and sustainable agriculture. The plan analysis explores the benefits and outcomes as a result of sector-based strategies. The plan includes near-term (2030-2035) and long-term (2050) scenarios for GHG emission reductions by sector. The sectors explored include Transportation, Building, Energy, Waste, Industrial, Agriculture, and Natural & Working Lands. The emission reduction measures include: 

Together, these measures provide a roadmap for the County to significantly reduce emissions, protect vulnerable populations, and align with future investment opportunities. These strategies also support job growth in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and infrastructure sectors, ensuring benefits extend across the County’s workforce and communities. This plan is an exploration of benefits and strategies to be taken to achieve emissions reductions through investments, strategic planning, and developing resilient communities. The document can be found here: Climate Action Plans – Fresno Council of Governments 

Action: Staff requests the TTC/PAC recommend the Policy Board accept the Fresno County Climate Action Plan – Analysis for submission to the U.S. EPA. 

TOD-Funding-Application-Package-14th cycle-2026

Summary: Measure C’s Transit-Oriented Infrastructure for Infill Development (TOD) program was established as part of the Measure C 2006 Extension Plan. It was designed to boost transit ridership through transit-supportive land uses, such as compact development and mix uses, and other transit complementary infrastructure development and planning activities. It was intended to provide seed money for transit-oriented development in Fresno County and promote livable, sustainable and healthy communities that are walkable, bikeable and transit friendly.   

There are three subprograms under the TOD program:  

1. Capital Improvement Program: This program funds capital improvement projects that support transit and encourage walking and biking. 
2. Planning Program: This program provides funding for planning activities such as transit station-area planning, transit corridor plans, etc., that will enhance transit and promote transit-oriented development. 
3. Housing Infill Incentive Program: This program rewards local governments for encouraging higher-density development with TOD characteristics. Funding may also be used to offset development impact fees or on a capital infrastructure project that would support TOD. 

The TOD program is estimated to generate around $16.9 million over its 20-year lifespan and accrues around $850,000 annually. The 14th cycle has approximately $1.4 million available. 

The call for projects for the one-time funding opens January 9, and applications are due March 3. The TOD Program policies and guidelines are available at: Fresno County Measure C. The application package is attached with this agenda.  

Please contact Simran Jhutti at jhutti@fresnocog.org for any questions regarding this program.  

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

Summary: Every four years, Fresno COG is required to develop and adopt a Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS)  for the region to stay in compliance with State and Federal law. As part of this process, there are several steps that include: selecting a preferred land-use development scenario, producing an environmental impact report, and adopting the final RTP/SCS. Over the last several months, staff has been updating its activity-based model (ABM) to include more up-to-date data and information to better access the region’s ability to hit its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets, which were last set by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2018. That target — a reduction of 13% GHG below 2005 levels by 2035 — is forecast to be achievable for the region after the latest data was provided for the ABM.

Over the next several months, staff will be completing modeling efforts and providing information to the various committees and the public to help guide selection of the preferred scenario. Staff anticipates having several in-person and virtual public meetings in February, and to get guidance from the RTP Roundtable, SCS Subcommittee, TTC, and PAC in February and March, with the preferred scenario selection by the Fresno COG Policy Board at its March 2026 meeting. After the preferred scenario is selected, staff will develop an environmental impact report, in coordination with consultant LSA.

For more updates and information on the Fresno COG 2026 RTP/SCS, please visit planfresno.com

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

Congratulations to the Fresno Region’s three Federal Safe Streets For All awardees:

• City of Fresno Vision Zero Action Plan Supplemental Intersection Safety Audit
• Fresno COG: Fresno County Regional Safety Plan Update: Advancing Implementation-Ready Solutions
• Fresno County: Retroreflective Signage and Lighting Study & Improvement Plan