MINUTES
SPECIAL City Council Meeting
Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
WHERE TRADITION
MEETS Thursday, March 26, 2026
TOMORROW
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 (Absent), Jeff Troost City staff and contract employees present: City Administrator Rod Pruett, City Attorney Michael Prentice, Police Chief Jeff Palmer, Fire Chief Fred Gaumnitz, Public Works Director Dustin Ensminger, Deputy Director Joe Roman, Community & Economic Development Director Denise Munoz, Finance Director Daniel Seeto, Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Stacy Wisener, IT System Administrator Carlos Berrocal, Kurt Wlodarczyk, City Clerk Joann McClendon, Deputy City Clerk Vanessa Galvez-Escobar
CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additions and/or Deletions: None OPEN SESSION - 4:00 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
1.1 Proclamation - National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Dennis Haworth, Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce, reported on a busy month with four new Chamber members being added. Announced a community workshop with Access Plus Capital and an upcoming Craig Judd art show on April 25. He also thanked staff for a successful Easter Scramble event.
Cameron Beckman, addressed the Council on weed abatement on his property and wanted removal, although this comment was better serviced under public comment for Item 4.2, the Council accepted it will and apply his comment as such
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Mayor Pro Tem Barragan reported attending the ICSC-Monterey conference.
Council Member Ahmed reported attending ICSC-Monterey conference and complimented the City's booth that was set up there.
City Council Meeting MINUTES March 26, 2026
Mayor Smith reported attending a high school baseball fundraiser at the golf course, noting it was well attended and successful. Also attended the ICSC-Monterey conference and complimented staff on a well prepared and busy booth.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Fire Chief Gaumnitz: Reported 84 incidents and 385 individual responses for the month. Met with neighboring fire leadership to update the auto aid agreement and review response mapping zones. Announced that the department maintained an ISO rating of Level 4, placing it in the top 25% nationwide, with strong scores in water and communications systems.
Police Chief Palmer: Reported 2,387 calls for service, 1,171 proactive stops, 66 misdemeanor arrests, 14 felony arrests, and 32 citations issued. Noted the department is now fully staffed with 22 sworn officers, with no current vacancies or pending departures.
Public Works Director Ensminger: Reported successful testing of the new City Hall emergency generator, including automatic transfer switch functionality. Staff identified and addressed minor equipment issues during testing. Provided update on a water main break, including temporary repair and planned permanent fix. Noted staff support for the Easter event and announced upcoming Greenhill's community cleanup.
Community & Economic Development Director Munoz: Attended planning training and ICSC conference; continues to process permits and support development. Reported meetings with developers and highlighted new businesses opening, including auto sales, coaching, and fitness establishments.
Finance Director Seeto: Reported the financial audit is nearly complete and expected to result in a clean opinion, with only a minor management letter related to leases.
Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener: Reported the Easter event was well attended with positive community feedback; included activities, entertainment, and partnerships with local organizations and sponsors. Announced preparation for a community budget survey.
Deputy City Clerk Escobar: Reported departments have completed review of the records retention schedule, now in final update stages. Coordinating records management and shred event with approximately 260 boxes scheduled for onsite shredding.
City Clerk McClendon: Mentioned that Deputy City Clerk Escobar is also pursuing professional certification for City Clerk.
City Administrator Pruett: Provided update on CFD refunding process, including next steps such as appraisals, disclosures, and coordination with stakeholders. Attended regional meetings, conferences, and training
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the February 2026 Financial Report (Seeto)
3.3 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Designating Eligible Projects for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Ensminger)
Motion by Council Member Ahmed Barragan, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Chavez absent.
City Council Meeting MINUTES March 26, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLA) Amendment Plan and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute all Related Documents Thereto (Munoz) The Mayor opened the public hearing at 4:29 p.m. There was no public comment. The public hearing was closed at 4:29 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan, Seconded by Council Member Troost to Approve Council Resolution #10-26, Approving the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Amendment Plan and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute all Related Documents Thereto. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Chavez absent.
4.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Related to Hearing Protests of any Affected Property Owners and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute Necessary Documents (2026 Weed Abatement Program) (Gaumnitz) The Mayor opened the public hearing at 4:33 p.m. There was no public comment. The public hearing was closed at 4:34 p.m.
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Approve City Council Resolution #11-26, Related to Hearing Protests of any Affected Property Owners and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute Necessary Documents (2026 Weed Abatement Program).
Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Chavez absent.
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving Change Order for Well No. 16 Development Project in the Amount of $388,300 and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents, and Amending the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget (Ensminger)
Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #12-26, Approving Change Order for Well No. 16 Development Project in the Amount of $388,300 and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents, and Amending the Fiscal Year Budget. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Chavez absent.
6.2 Presentation of the City's Mid-Year Budget of Fiscal Year 2025/26 (Seeto) ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
MAR 28 CHOWCHILLA FAIR DINNER, CHOWCHILLA FAIRGROUNDS, 6PM APR 11 CHOWCHILLA K9 BENEFIT DINNER, CHOWCHILLA FAIRGROUNDS, 5:30PM APR 14 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
APR 15 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5PM City Council Meeting MINUTES March 26, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith adjourned the Special City Council meeting at 5:16 p.m.
APPROVED:
"Causelle
Deputy City Clerk