MINUTES
CONCHILA CALEN
GATEWAY City Council Meeting
Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
TO 130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
PROSPERS 1923 Tuesday, February 10, 2026
FEBRUARY
Open Session: 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor: Kelly Smith
Mayor Pro Tem: Ray Barragan
Council Members: Waseem Ahmed, John Chavez, Jeff Troost City staff and contract employees present: City Administrator Rod Pruett (Via Zoom), 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, IT System Administrator Kurt Wlodarczyk & Carlos Berrocal, City Clerk Joann McClendon, Deputy City Clerk Vanessa Galvez-Escobar CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additions and/or Deletions: None.
OPEN SESSION - 4:02 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
PUBLIC ADDRESS
None.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Mayor Smith reported, on Wednesday the 28th, he attended a Gubernatorial Forum at Harris Ranch where he met Alan Autry, former Mayor of Fresno, as well as Steve Hilton and the Lieutenant Governor candidate. They shared their perspectives on what is happening in the state.
On Friday the 29th, h attended the ribbon cutting for Mark IV Metal Products with Rod and Denise.
Also, on the 29th, he attended an information meeting with the Madera County Economic Development Council along with Christina Gallagher and City Administrator Pruett. On February 3rd, he met with the Fair Board and the new CEO of the Fair, Natalie Worstein, along with staff to discuss upcoming changes for this year's Fair. On February 6th, he attended the ribbon cutting at Joey's Glass & Tint. Mayor Pro Tem Ray Barragan was also in attendance noting that it is great to see new businesses coming into town. On Monday, February 9th, he attended the City Selection Committee Board meeting at the Madera County Building. Council Member Jeff Troost will continue serving on the San Joaquin Valley Air District Board through 2029.
City Council Meeting MINUTES February 10, 2026
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer stated that since the last report, the Police Department responded to 1,320 calls for service and conducted 590 proactive stops, resulting in 16 misdemeanor arrests, 8 felony arrests, and 37 citations issued. Code Enforcement responded to 47 calls and addressed 23 violations. Six patrol vehicles have been fully outfitted and placed into service. There was a recent student walkout. One issue occurred during the event and has been discussed on social media The juvenile and parents have been contacted. The Police Department will proceed appropriately, taking into consideration the wishes of the juvenile and parents, as those decisions are not solely made by the department.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz reported, for January, the department responded to 115 calls for service with volunteers accounting for 445 individual responses. Weed abatement season is approaching due to the mild winter, and preparations are underway. An item regarding weed abatement will be brought back to Council at a future meeting.
Deputy Director of Public Works Roman reported that staff is proactively addressing weed abatement in parks, streets, rights-of-way, water facilities, and the wastewater treatment plant.
He met with Bussey Storage property owners regarding utilities located within an easement on their property. Discussions are ongoing regarding raising a panel lid to accommodate their project improvements. He attended a meeting led by Community Development with property owners regarding potential future utility needs along Avenue 24 due to anticipated growth. Road 14, between Avenue 24½ and Avenue 25, has been fully patched following complaints. Work is continuing between Avenue 25 and Avenue 25½. Due to the road's low elevation and tendency to flood during rain, continued maintenance will likely be necessary.
Finance Director Seeto reported that the audit is progressing well. The majority of testing has been completed, and there are currently no findings. W-2s and 1099 forms have been issued.
State Controller reporting was completed by the deadline. Flyers regarding curbside pickup were included with the utility bills.
City Clerk McClendon reported, that for those required to file Form 700, the deadline is April 1.
Paper filings are no longer being accepted; all filings must be submitted electronically through the Filer Portal, Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website.
City Administrator Pruett reported that meetings have been held with consultants and contractors regarding the new communications tower. Construction has begun but is not yet complete.
Additional work includes installing a cabinet for equipment and pouring a concrete slab before the tower becomes fully operational. Completion is anticipated by the end of the month. Met with Nathan Alonso, PG&E Government Affairs Representative, to discuss utility rates. Residential rates are expected to stabilize or potentially decrease slightly. Met with Rancho Clara regarding proposed improvements at the Robertson Boulevard and Big Tree intersection. They will proceed with a formal traffic study to analyze proposed striping improvements for the first four blocks of their development. Depending on the study results, a request to amend the Development Agreement may be brought forward. Met with Fairgrounds representatives, along with Chief Palmer and staff, regarding traffic control plans for the upcoming Fair. A follow-up meeting is being scheduled to address remaining questions and concerns in advance of the Fair.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the January 27, 2026 Joint City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the January 2026 Check Register Report (Seeto) Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
City Council Meeting MINUTES February 10, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 15.61 to Title 15 - Buildings and Construction, of the Chowchilla Municipal Code to Establish an Expedited and Streamlined Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Process (Munoz)
The Mayor opened the public hearing at 4:17 p.m. There was no public comment. The public hearing was closed at 4:17 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Council Member Chavez to Approve the Introduction and Waive the First Reading of an Ordinance Adding Chapter 15.61 to Title 15 - Buildings and Construction, of the Chowchilla Municipal Code to Establish an Expedited and Streamlined Electric Vehicle Charging Station Permitting Process. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
4.2 Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 2.08 - Administrative Officer, of the Chowchilla Municipal Code to Delegate Certain Signature Authorities Pursuant to Government Code Section 40602 (Munoz) The Mayor opened the public hearing at 4:20 p.m. There was no public comment. The public hearing was closed at 4:20 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Chavez, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve the Introduction and Waive the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Section 2.08 - Administrative Officer, of the Chowchilla Municipal Code to Delegate Certain Signature Authorities Pursuant to Government Code Section 40602. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Direction and Approval to Proceed with Fairmead Wastewater System Consolidation HSR24-34 Project and Submitting the Required Application with Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) (Roman)
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to approve proceeding with the Fairmead Wastewater System Consolidation HSR24-34 Project and authorize submission of the required application to LAFCO.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
FEB 16 PRESIDENTS DAY, CITY OFFICES CLOSED
FEB 18 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5 P.M.
FEB 21 CAF DINNER, CHOWCHILLA FAIRGROUNDS, 6 P.M.
FEB 24 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4 P.M.
FEB 28 DALE THOMAS MEMORIAL, EASTMAN HALL, 11 A.M.
City Council Meeting MINUTES February 10, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 4:35 p.m. in memory of Val Anthony Tarabini.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
13u49
Gitv Cler Mayor Kelly Smith