Fresno city council decides who can vote on Tower District plans by literally pulling cards

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- It was a historically bizarre infinitesimal for the metropolis of Fresno Thursday.

When it came clip to ballot connected considering aboriginal plans for the Tower District, 5 of the 7 Fresno City assembly members had to recuse themselves due to the fact that they ain spot successful the area.

This is due to the fact that their votes could beryllium considered a struggle of interest.

So, with the assistance of the metropolis clerk, the assembly members virtually drew cards from a container to determine who could vote.

"The minimum fig of assembly members required for a quorum-- and that is four," Fresno metropolis clerk Todd Stermer said. "We person 2 members who are not conflicted-- truthful they are in. And truthful I volition enactment 2 greenish cards successful the container and 3 reddish cards successful the box."

Tyler Maxwell and Garry Bredefeld were the lone 2 assembly members who did not person a conflict.

Nelson Esparza, Luis Chavez, Miguel Arias, Mike Karbassi and assembly president Annalisa Perea each took portion successful the peculiar drawing.

In the end, Esparza and Arias picked the greenish cards, allowing them to stay astatine the dais and enactment successful the discussion.

The vote, however, was past moved to November 7.

At that time, the 4 assembly members volition beryllium capable to see initiating a Tower District Specific Plan update.