Fresno City Hall image via wikipedia user Nightryder84

Mayor Lee Brand announced his three appointments for the General Plan Implementation Review Committee (GPIRC) to review progress on Fresno’s General Plan Update 2035, and refine and review City policies to guarantee future investments are furthering goals of the plan.

The Fresno City Council established the GPIRC in December. It consists of 17 members, two appointed by each councilmember, and three appointed by Mayor Brand. It will meet at least twice per month between January and June 2020. The committee will then report to the mayor, city manager and council.

Mayor Brands three appointees are:

Lorraine Salazar, owner of Sal’s Mexican Restaurants, a business that employs more than 150 people. She also serves as chairperson of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) State Board and as co-chair of the mayor’s Advisory Committee, and is on the Board of Governors for Fresno State.

Wayne Rutledge, CEO of RH Community Builders and owner of Uncle New York Bagelry, is an entrepreneur and community developer who has operated groups of restaurants for more than 20 years and developed a number of low income and difficult-to-house properties for clients. Most recently, Rutledge founded RH Community Builders, a community organization working to end homelessness, and opened the RH Emergency Winter Warming Shelter, helping homeless individuals, couples and families in the area.

Cary Catalano, founding principal of Catalano Fenske & Associates, runs a public affairs, marketing, event planning, and resource development firm serving clients in industries throughout the Central Valley and Western U.S. Catalano served as chief operating officer at Community Food Bank for four years as well as president of the corporate board of directors for Girl Scouts of Central California South. He is also a former commissioner on Fresno’s Planning Commission and currently serves as a county commissioner on the Fresno Housing Authority Board.

“These individuals have a record of excellence in both business and public service and will provide a wealth of experience to represent our community on the Review Committee,” said Mayor Brand. “This process is crucial to the growth of our city and I’m honored that they have volunteered their time and expertise to help Fresno rebuild its urban core while providing affordable housing opportunities in every community.”