MINUTES
GATEWAR City Council Meeting
ORNIA Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
CITY 130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
TO
PROSPERS Tuesday, September 9, 2025
FEBRUARY
Open Session: 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor: Kelly Smith
Mayor Pro Tem: Jeff Troost
Council Members: Waseem Ahmed, Ray Barragan (absent), John Chavez City staff and contract employees present:
City Administrator Rod Pruett, City Attorney Mary Lerner, Police Chief Jeff Palmer, Fire Chief Fred Gaumnitz, Public Works Director Jason Rogers, Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Stacy Wisener, IT System Administrator Carlos Berrocal, City Clerk Joann McClendon, Deputy City Clerk Vanessa Galvez-Escobar
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additions and/or Deletions:
It was the Consensus of the City Council to remove Item 6.2 from the agenda.
OPEN SESSION - 4:14 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
1.1 Proclamation - 175th Anniversary of Statehood
PUBLIC ADDRESS
None.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Council Member Ahmed reported that he attended the Economic Development Commission (EDC) meeting. The Economic Development Commission currently has a couple of programs underway, including an 1-9 verification training offered in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce. This is a e-virtual program available to employers to help them stay compliant with new employment laws. He also shared information on the California Competes Tax Credit Program, in which the Economic Development Commission is working with the State of California and the Central Valley Business Development Specialist. This program can assist businesses seeking to locate in the area with access to resources, including financing opportunities that may cover up to 80% of a loan. Councilmember Ahmed encouraged that these programs be marketed to ensure businesses are aware of the resources available.
City Council Meeting MINUTES September 9, 2025
Mayor Smith reported attending the Madera County Republican Dinner where Rob Schneider was the guest speaker. He noted it was an enlightening event and an opportunity to meet many community members. He also attended the second anniversary of the Eco Lube Car Show.
Mayor Smith congratulated the organizers on their successful second year and expressed appreciation for seeing local businesses grow and succeed
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer, since last meeting, the Chowchilla PD has responded to 1,134 calls for service. Conducted 427 proactive stops, resulting in; 36 misdemeanor arrests, 10 felony arrests, 19 citations issued. Code Enforcement and Animal Control have both stayed busy responding to calls for service and conducting enforcement in those areas.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz, reported 89 calls for service in August, with volunteers providing 379 total responses. On September 1, significant lightning activity occurred throughout the Valley, with over 4,000 strikes recorded. One strike ignited a palm tree at the golf course; however, due to the absence of ground fuel, it did not present a fire hazard. Later that day, a lightning strike near Easton Lake started a fire that grew to 4,800 acres. The City deployed two firefighters and a water tender for 18 hours of mutual aid response. Chief Gaumnitz expressed appreciation for the volunteers' dedication during this extended operation. He also noted two additional large regional fires: one near Coalinga (approximately 5,000 acres) and another from Kings River to Dinky Creek (approximately 55,000 acres), as well as the devastation at Chinese Camp, where over 300 residents lost their homes.
Public Works Director Rogers, reported meeting with Caltrans and Madera County Transport Commission (MCT) to review cost reduction strategies related to the Roundabouts Project.
Caltrans presented a couple of options that could potentially save millions on the project. City Administrator Rod Pruett and Rogers are currently evaluating with Madera County Transport Commission before brining recommendations back to council. Employment offers have been extended for a Parks Worker and Wastewater System Supervisor, with anticipated start dates in October pending completion of background, physical, and drug testing. They are expected to start in October pending background, physical, and drug testing. Additionally, bids closed last week for the Avenue 24 ½ Road Reconstruction Project. Fourteen bids were received, all under the engineer's estimate. Staff is reviewing the bids for completeness and responsiveness and anticipates bringing a recommendation to Council at the next meeting.
Community Engagement Wisener, reported that staff has been preparing for upcoming fall events, including the Halloween Tree Trail. Vendor and community organization applications are currently open. She noted that the Farmers Market did not move forward this year due to a lack of available farmers despite outreach efforts; however, staff will continue to pursue opportunities with local growers. On the project side, rehabilitation of the Edward Ray Park concession stand is in its final phases, with equipment and furnishings being secured. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled upon completion. In recreation programming, Little League and Adult Recreation are currently running fall seasons, and Youth Soccer is also underway. Staff continues to coordinate with community leagues to manage high field demand this season.
City Clerk McClendon, reported that interviews were conducted for the Finance Director position. The Caltrans Drug and Alcohol Technical Assistance and Compliance Review for the Transit Program was completed last week, and the City will receive a report back on the findings. It was also noted that the City's table for the State County event on October 16 is full.
City Administrator Pruett, reported regarding staffing, interviews were conducted for the Finance Director position with three candidates considered. The interview panel agreed on a finalist, and an offer has been extended. It is anticipated that the position will be filled within the next three weeks. Additionally, an offer was made and accepted for the Community Development Director position, with the new director scheduled to begin next Monday. At the most recent department head meeting, staff met with Townsend Public Affairs, the City's contracted grant writing firm.
City Council Meeting MINUTES September 9, 2025
The firm will be developing a strategic plan to better align grant opportunities with the City's capital improvement priorities and ongoing projects, while still remaining flexible to pursue other emerging opportunities. Optimism was expressed that grant funding could be secured for some projects within the coming months. Meetings were also held with representatives from AutoZone regarding ongoing discussions, and work continues on a potential agreement with the County concerning the 2008 fire station resolution. Emphasis was placed on finalizing progress with Fire Chief Jay before his upcoming retirement.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the August 26, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the August 2025 Check Register (Williams)
3.3 Rejection of Claim Submitted by the Law Office of Kevin G. Little on Behalf of Malorie Owens (McClendon)
Motion by Council Member Chavez, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Troost to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Barragan absent.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (70-25) Declaring its Intention to Establish Community Facilities District No. 2025-2 (Replacement of CFD 2006-1), to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein, and to Incur Bonded Indebtedness (Pruett)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Chavez, to adopt Resolution #70-25 Declaring its Intention to Establish Community Facilities District No. 2025-2 (Replacement of CFD 2006-1), to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein, and to Incur Bonded Indebtedness. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Barragan absent.
6.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Declaring its Intent ion to Annex Territory into a Community Facilities District and to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes (Pruett)
6.3 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (71-25) Awarding the Contract for Rehabilitation of Runway 12-30 and Airfield Lighting System to Yarbs Grading and Paving, and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents (Rogers)
Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Chavez, to adopt Resolution #71-25 Awarding the Contract for Rehabilitation of Runway 12-30 and Airfield Lighting System to Yarbs Grading and Paving, and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Barragan absent.
6.4 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution (72-25) Awarding Contract for the Waterline Replacement Project to MidCal Pipeline & Utilities, Inc. and City Council Meeting MINUTES September 9, 2025
Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents (Rogers)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed, to Adopt Resolution #72-25 Awarding Contract for the Waterline Replacement Project to MidCal Pipeline & Utilities, Inc. and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Barragan absent.
6.5 Consideration of Measure N Public Safety Transactions and Use Tax Citizen's Oversight Committee and Airport Advisory Committee Appointments (McClendon) Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Chavez, to Approve the Appointments to the Measure N Oversight Committee and the Airport Advisory Committee as Recommended. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Barragan absent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
SEP 17 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5PM SEP 23 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the September 9, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting in Memory of Patty Mandrell at 4:52 p.m.
ATTEST APPROVED:
DOnl
Joanh McClendon, CMC, City Clerk