Fresno will buy burned-out Carl’s Jr. for $3.5M. Dyer wins solar award
An abandoned Carl’s Jr. destroyed by arson in January will soon be city of Fresno property.
The city sought the land as it works to improve the railroad crossing at McKinley and Blackstone avenues. It filed an eminent domain lawsuit against the owners. On Thursday, the Fresno City Council voted 6-0 in closed session to settle the lawsuit.
The purchase price is $3.5 million plus interest and up to $6,000 for appraisal costs, City Attorney Andrew Janz announced out of closed session. The money comes from Measure C, and the California Local Partnership Program Formula grant funds.
The city purchased most of the land around the intersection so it can lower the street as much as 25 feet to avoid traffic backups when trains cross. The city filed several eminent domain lawsuits when deals could not be reached.
When a deal could not be reached with the landowner at the northwest corner of Blackstone and McKinley avenues, the city filed a lawsuit against the Brackin-Daniels Trust on July 12, 2024. The lawsuit said the city offered $2.8 million. The court scheduled a Nov. 9 trial date.
Janz told The Bee that the difference was to also settle with the Carl’s Jr. franchisee.
The Carl’s Jr., a few blocks from Fresno City College, closed at the end of 2025. A fire deemed suspicious destroyed the property Jan. 29.
Councilmembers Annalisa Perea, Miguel Arias, Tyler Maxwell, Brandon Vang, Nick Richardson and Nelson Esparza voted for the settlement. Mike Karbassi was absent.
Aller hired as full-time clerk
The Fresno City Council hired Amy Aller as its full-time city clerk after a 6-0 vote in closed session.
In a statement, Aller said she was “humbled and honored” by the appointment.
“I am deeply committed to providing exceptional public service, ensuring accurate legislative records, and ensuring open access to local government. After serving as interim city clerk for the past six months, I am excited to move forward in this permanent position to serve my community with the highest degree of professionalism and excellence,” Aller said.
The council hired Aller on an interim basis last November. She replaced Todd Stermer, who left for a similar job with Sacramento County.
Aller, who previously worked in the City Attorney’s Office, officially takes over June 15, pending a contract scheduled to be discussed at the June 18 meeting. She currently earns $230,000.
Perea, Arias, Maxwell, Vang, Richardson and Esparza voted for the hire. Karbassi abstained. The council directly hires and fires the city clerk and city attorney. Other department heads are controlled by the mayor’s office.
Dyer wins climate award
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer took home an award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for the city’s solar and battery storage program.
The conference honored Dyer with the 2026 Mayors’ Climate Protection Award at its conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Dyer said the program will help create 47 million kilowatt-hours of power each year to operate three water treatment centers. The energy production will save taxpayers $120 million by 2045, a news release said.
“This work came down to being responsible with taxpayer dollars while making investments that strengthen our city for the future,” Dyer said while accepting the award.
Dyer, part of the group’s leadership, hosted a breakout session on “Current Issues in Policing.” Prior to serving as mayor, Dyer worked 40 years in the Fresno Police Department, the last 19 as chief.
Richardson introduces new constituent
Richardson returned to the dais for the first time in a month. He missed the previous meetings because of military service and paternity leave. He introduced his new constituent, Theodore Thomas Richardson, born May 17.
“I believe he votes Republican,” Richardson said during his councilmember report. “District 6 is a little brighter now that we got that guy there.”
Baby Teddy and mom Kelsey Richardson attended part of the meeting.
