MINUTES
Special City Council Meeting
GATEWAY Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
CITY Or 130 S. Second Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
TO Tuesday, January 13, 2026
PROSPERI 1923 Open Session: 4:30 p.m.
FEBRUARY
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor: Kelly Smith
Mayor Pro Tem: Jeff Troost
Council Members: Waseem Ahmed, Ray Barragan, John Chavez City staff and contract employees present: City Administrator Rod Pruett, City Attorney Michael Prentice, Police Chief Jeff Palmer, Fire Chief Fred Gaumnitz, Public Works Deputy Director Joe Roman, Community & Economic Development Director Denise Munoz, Finance Director Daniel Seeto, Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Stacy Wisener, IT System Administrator Kurt Wlodarczyk, City Clerk Joann McClendon, Deputy City Clerk Vanessa Galvez-Escobar
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additions and/or Deletions: None OPEN SESSION - 4:30 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
1.1 Proclamation - Human Trafficking Awareness Month
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Vanessa Barraza: Provided legislative updates, shared available state resources, and proposed monthly mobile office hours at City Hall.
Representative Nathan A. from PG&E announced a 3-5% decrease in residential electric and gas rates and expressed continued partnership with the City.
Dale Thomas: Addressed the Council regarding the former County library building at 621 W..
Robertson Blvd., and urged the Council to reconsider demolition of the building.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Mayor Pro Tem Troost reported, 1 attended the January meeting of the Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC). I also attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting for Madera Auto Center, as well as the ribbon cutting for AutoZone today. I want to sincerely thank both businesses for choosing Chowchilla. I congratulate them both and truly appreciate the jobs City Council Meeting MINUTES January 13, 2026
they are bringing to our community. It is wonderful to see new businesses opening, creating local employment opportunities, and contributing much-needed revenue to our city.
Council Member Ahmed I also had the opportunity to attend both the AutoZone and Madera Auto Center events. It was great to see the reopening of the dealership and the vehicle building. This provides additional opportunities for local employment, which is always a positive for our Mayor Smith reported his attendance to both openings and additionally, Mayor attended the Task Force meeting last Tuesday along with City Administrator Mr. Pruett.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer reported, before beginning my report, I would like to highlight a significant medical event that occurred in early December. A patient being transported to CRMC was diverted to Madera Community Hospital for life-saving stabilization before continuing transport.
Had Madera Community Hospital not been open, that individual likely would not be here today.
This highlights the importance of the hospital's reopening and its impact on our community. Over the past two weeks, the Police Department responded to 1,528 calls for service, with 898 proactive contacts, resulting in: 30 misdemeanor arrests, 4 felony arrests, 40 citations, 32 code enforcement-related calls. I also sent out the year-end crime statistics comparing January of last year to January of this year, focusing on quality-of-life indicators. The results are very positive:
• Officer proactivity increased by 12%
• Homicides remained at zero
• Residential burglaries decreased by 30%
• Vehicle burglaries decreased by 66%
• Vehicle theft decreased by 65%
• Vandalism decreased by 93%
• Petty theft decreased by 25%
• These reductions are significant, and I commend our officers for their hard work and dedication.
Lastly, I would like to remind the community that due to the wet winter, weed growth is already increasing. Code Enforcement has begun identifying properties and issuing notices. Property owners are encouraged to begin maintenance now to avoid enforcement action. Fire Chief Joe can expand further on this.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz reported, During the month of December, the Fire Department responded to 121 calls, with over 500 individual responses by our volunteer team and full-time staff. We currently have two captains working different shifts and anticipate filling our third captain position soon, which will allow us to operate three shifts (A, B, and C) with a fire engine staffed 24/7. For the year: 1,133 total incidents, over 600 EMS calls, approximately 500 fire-related calls. This aligns with national averages. Our volunteers responded to over 5,000 individual calls, and their dedication is truly appreciated. Response times: EMS: 2 minutes, 58 seconds. Fire: 4 minutes, 11 seconds. Both are under National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, which is outstanding for a combination department. A huge thank you to our volunteers and staff for their commitment.
Deputy Director of Public Works Roman reported, Public Works has been busy with a wide range of projects.
City Council Meeting MINUTES January 13, 2026
• Met with Caltrans regarding conflicts along Robertson Boulevard, including fire hydrants, water valves, and manholes. A site meeting is planned for next week to address mitigation. • The Kings Avenue ADA Pedestrian Project continues to make good progress. While construction has caused some temporary inconvenience, staff and contractors are working closely with residents and businesses to address concerns. • The 24½ Pavement Rehabilitation Project experienced weather-related delays but is expected to reopen by Friday, barring unforeseen issues. Temporary reflective markers will be installed until striping can be completed.
• Christmas decorations have been removed from streetlight poles. • The Veterans Park tree is scheduled for removal tomorrow now that ground conditions allow equipment access.
• Parks staff continues leaf cleanup and routine maintenance as weather permits. • Street crews are actively repairing potholes throughout the city, including Avenue 14. • Weed abatement has begun, including road shoulders, alleyways, freeway entrances, and exits. Spot treatments will continue as needed.
Community & Economic Development Director Munoz reported, Staff attended the grand openings and ribbon cuttings for Madera Auto Center and AutoZone, and we thank them for their investment in Chowchilla. Upcoming and recent business activity includes:
• One Up Smog - Opening February 6(24727 Robertson)
• South Solar Cleaning - Opened January 5
• Burke Construction - Opened January 5
• Joe's Glass & Tint - Opening February (235 Robertson) • Mark IV Metal Products - Grand Opening January 30
• Alpha Pharmacy - Open
• Chowchilla Pharmacy - Opening soon (318 Robertson)
• Main Pharmacy - Mid-February opening (413 Robertson)
Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener reported, Staff continues program planning, community outreach, and recreational services. Park and facility reservations are ongoing. Dates are being secured for city events throughout the year. A new Zumba fitness program will be launched, offering three classes per week. Staff is considering holding a ribbon cutting in early February for the newly completed concession stand. IT staff continues work on the City camera projects. Ongoing support is being provided to city staff for IT-related needs and issues. Implementation of new project tracking software is underway to improve efficiency and reporting to City Council.
City Clerk McClendon reported, Transit staff is purchasing two gas vehicles using residual funds and an additional gas van before funding sunsets. Form 700 notices have been notified via email that their filings are due by April 1.
City Administrator Pruett reported, Staff met with consultants regarding the CFD refunding and coordinated outreach efforts. Staff attended the regional Task Force meeting, which included a demonstration of emerging robotic technology with potential law enforcement and behavioral health applications. Discussions have begun with EDC partners regarding Opportunity Zones, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Staff is working proactively to monitor changes and City Council Meeting MINUTES January 13, 2026
identify ways to preserve eligibility where possible. Rezoning updates are underway to better align current zoning with land use, particularly in the downtown area for mixed-use development. These updates will go before the Planning Commission and then City Council. A Public Works Water Supervisor candidate has accepted an offer and is anticipated to start in early March. Grant activity: T-Mobile Grant ($50,000) for pickleball courts (submitted), BUILD Grant for a roundabout (in progress), CDBG Grant for the Kings Avenue storm drain project (in progress).
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the December 9, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Approval of the December 9, 2025 Special City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.3 Consideration and Acceptance of the December 2025 Check Register Report (Seeto)
3.4 Consideration and Acceptance of the November Financials Report (Seeto)
3.5 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving the Master Agreement Between the Madera County Transportation Commission and the City of Chowchilla for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Allocation of Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) Exchange Funding and Authorizing City Administrator or Designee to Sign Necessary Claim Forms to Obtain Future Funding (Roman)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration of Collaborative Agency Appointments Made by the Mayor (McClendon)
Motion by Mayor Smith, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Approve keeping the Same Appointments as Last Year. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Filing of the Notice of Completion for Orchard View Final Map No. 22-0010 (Roman)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Troost, Seconded by Council Member Chavez to Approve City Council Resolution #02-26, Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Filing of the Notice of Completion for Orchard View Final Map No. 22-0010. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
JAN 19 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY, CITY OFFICES CLOSED
JAN 21 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5PM JAN 24 CHAMBER AWARDS DINNER, PORTUGUESE HALL, 5PM
City Council Meeting MINUTES January 13, 2026
JAN 27 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the January 13, 2026 Chowchilla City Council Meeting at 5:12 p.m.
ATTEST APPROVED:
1 Joann McClendon, CMC, City Clerk Mayor Kelly Smith