The Fresno City Council unanimously approved a deal on Thursday that will get the city reimbursed by almost half a million dollars to clear up homeless encampments along freeway ramps in the north part of town.
Caltrans, the state’s transportation department, will reimburse the city’s public works department up to $400,000 to clear camps on highway ramps by Shaw Avenue and Friant Road.
Before approving the deal, Councilmembers Miguel Arias and Nelson Esparza —who together represent the city’s southwest and central districts— asked why the agreement only covered the north side of town. Esparza in particular asked staff whether they considered the optics of the deal, which he said would fuel criticisms that the city spends most of its resources toward its most well-off residents…