Fresno to spend millions for rent relief, contact tracing. Why 2 councilmembers voted no
The Fresno City Council on Thursday extended its rental assistance program and implemented contact tracing programs related to the coronavirus — but not before squabbling over one of the lead organizations.
The council voted 5-2 to give about $2 million in federal CARES Act relief to Fresno Building Healthy Communities for COVID-19 prevention education, contract tracing and other support.
Councilmember Garry Bredefeld, who along with Councilmember Paul Caprioglio cast a “no” vote, attempted to get the council to commit the money elsewhere, noting a “Burn it down” tweet from Fresno BHC President Sandra Celedon.
Celedon’s now-deleted tweet said “Burn it down. #blacklivesmatter No justice, no peace. Enough is enough.” on May 28 accompanied with a picture of a Minneapolis police building on fire. The fire came during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
Both Caprioglio and Bredefeld proposed giving the $2 million instead to nursing programs at Fresno City College, Fresno State and UCSF Fresno. The idea failed to get support because other members of the council noted none of those programs had applied for the grant money nor presented a plan on how it would be used.
Bredefeld also questioned the nonprofit’s ability to deliver. “They know nothing about contact tracing or quarantine support,” he said.
Building Healthy Communities also is involved in lawsuit against the city over Measure P, the failed parks tax. The organization argued in a lawsuit the city unjustly required two-thirds approval and that only a simple majority was needed since Measure P was a citizen-led tax initiative.
The lawsuit was behind Caprioglio’s “no” vote, the practicing attorney said. “I don’t give money to people who sue me or my clients,” he said.
Celedon issued a statement on Thursday, but did not address the tweet from May.
“We are a trusted partner, a loyal friend and a proud supporter of the neighborhoods and essential workers that are always neglected,” the statement said, “and we have already been hard at work during this quarantine by providing support which includes, but is not limited to, PPE distribution, food distribution and recovery, and direct financial support.”
The organization has worked to “develop cultural relevant and appropriate health education curriculum” while working with Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Fresno State, the statement said. The group also aims to train and deploy more than 100 community health workers across the county.
“Fresno Building Healthy Communities earned this contract based on the value of our coalition’s work during the past decade and the collective expertise, capacity and reach of our community partners,” the statement said. “We are here for community, not to play petty politics.”
The nonprofit will receive CARES Act money and distribute to 17 organizations involved in the COVID-19 efforts, according to the contract. The money is to be paid out in installments.
Councilmember Esmeralda Soria said BHC is qualified and doing similar work. “They’re on the ground already doing work in our community,” she said.
The nonprofit also is in line to get federal relief funding from Fresno County, according to officials.
Councilmember Mike Karbassi said the tweet in question shouldn’t disqualify BHC. “It offended me and offended many people in my district, but I’m not voting on that tweet,” he said.
Rental assistance
The council also extended its $5 million rental assistance program through the end of the year.
Co-sponsored by Councilmembers Soria, Miguel Arias and Luis Chavez, the program offers grants of $1,500 to individuals and $3,000 for families.
Soria said the program will remain important even if emergency orders are lifted.
“What we’re trying to prevent is homelessness, people getting evicted (and) landlords not getting their money,” she said. “The emergency may be lifted in two months but there’s lasting effects.”
You can apply by contacting one of the six nonprofits:
Reading and Beyond, 4670 E Butler Ave. inside the Mosqueda Center, 559-214-0317, readingandbeyond.org
The Fresno Center, 4879 E. Kings Canyon Ave., 559-898-2565, fresnocenter.org
Centro La Familia, 302 Fresno St,. 559-237-2961, centrolafamilia.org
Education and Leadership Foundation, 4290 E. Ashlan Ave., 559-291-5428, education-leadership.org
Jakara Movement, 3470 W Spruce Ave., 559-549-4088, jakara.org
West Fresno Family Resource Center, 1802 E California Ave., 559-621-2967, wfresnofrc.org
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
