Parlier council hears updates on Fresno State workshops, food trail, roundup and animal outreach

Council members and staff used the April 18 meeting to highlight several community partnerships and upcoming events.

Berta reported meetings with Fresno State representatives — including Anna Alfaro from the Central Valley Women's Entrepreneur Center and Scott Moore, dean for continuing and global education — and said Fresno State would like to partner with the city to deliver workshops on starting and operating businesses, marketing and accounting; staff indicated the university representatives will return for a future presentation and requested a venue. The city said the program would aim to help residents start businesses with limited capital.

Council member Jamie (recorded in the transcript as 'Jamie') described work with Berta and the Economic Development Corporation on a food tasting trail that would feature two to three Parlier restaurants as part of a multi-city trail likely to take place in May; the acting city manager was listed as a proposed event spokesperson and the roundup queen was cited as a celebrity guest.

Chief Serta said the COPS Building Bridges group is initiating a fundraising campaign to add another police K-9 and that donors have been contacted. Multiple council members reminded residents about the upcoming multi-day roundup event, including carnival activities and a parade, and publicly thanked city staff for event preparations.

On animal outreach, one speaker reported roughly 10 animals among an encampment and said Westside Rescue in Fresno will cover spay/neuter costs; council members said they were coordinating transportation and appointments for those animals and reiterated efforts to address roaming dogs near schools.