MINUTES
City Council Meeting
CITY OF Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
WHERE TRADITION
- MEETS Tuesday, May 12, 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, 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, Community & Economic Development Director Denise Munoz, Finance Director Daniel Seeto, 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: None.
OPEN SESSION - 4:00 PM
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
• National Police Week Proclamation
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Richie Sayavong from the California Department of Insurance requested council support for three wildfire recovery and insurance reform bills focused on smoke damage standards, expanded housing assistance for wildfire victims, and increased FAIR Plan accountability. The bills are; AB1795, SB876 & AB1680. Mr. Soyavong also offered to provide additional information and a future council presentation.
Ross Anderson, Chief Pilot and CEO at Thiel Air Care requested City assistance with a letter to Caltrans supporting temporary aircraft operations from the airport taxiway during runway construction to continue agricultural spraying services.
Local farmer Cliff Talley spoke in support of Thiel Air Care Aviation's request, emphasizing the importance of aerial spraying for local agriculture.
Dennis Haworth, Executive Director of the Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce, provided updates on recent Chamber events, upcoming car shows, membership growth, website software changes, and thanked the City for its continued support.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
City Council Meeting MINUTES May 12, 2026
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Council Member Chavez reported attending the Police Memorial with the City Administrator, Chief Palmer and Lieutenant Denny and the (Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce Sponsored) Art Show.
Council Member Troost attended the Art show and the April MCTC (Madera County Transportation Commission) meeting and was in the Parade with the Fire Department.
Mayor Pro Tem Barragan reported attending the Chowchilla Fair.
Mayor Smith reported attending the Madera County Economic Summit in Madera along with City Administrator Pruett and Director Munoz; attended the grand opening at the Chowchilla Fair, and the National Day of Prayer. Mayor also participated in the Parade with Police Chief Palmer, and attended the employee BBQ.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer reported 1,216 calls for service over two weeks, including 519 proactive officer-initiated activities, 45 misdemeanor arrests, and 9 felony arrests. The fair weekend was reported as safe with minimal issues. There were 2,136 individual responses by the officers, and since January, there's been 21,685 individual responses by the officers.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz reported 133 calls for service in April, including medical aid, fires, rescues, and hazardous incidents. Staff also coordinated Chowchilla Fair safety coverage and announced improved oxygen supply support through American Ambulance.
Public Works Director Ensminger reported successful coordination of the Chowchilla Fair and parade, ongoing transportation and infrastructure meetings, increased summer water demand and updates on several development projects and grant opportunities. Also attended the MCTC meeting with Council Member Troost.
Community & Economic Development Director Munoz reported volunteering at several community events, including the Chowchilla Fair, a Rotary Club lunch for children, the City Company Barbecue, and the Art Show. Also reported new business developments: California Tire Solutions is set to open around May 26 at 1555 Robertson, and Annabella Homes is planning a four-duplex residential project in the Villas on Amali and Capri, currently under review.
Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener announced upcoming summer programs including Music in the Park, Movies in the Park, swim season, and June 12 Block Party Sponsorships have been secured for the summer series. The secured sponsors so far, Golden Memorial Insurance, Madera Auto Center, Pacific Gas and Electric, Mid-Valley Disposal, QK Engineering, AutoZone DC, North Fork, Moto Casino, and Steve Chevrolet. So, thank you, everyone, for those sponsors. For IT, staff assisted in software installation and coordination for the new SCADA system, updated public safety system, and prepared equipment for the police command post trailer to dispatch operations during the fair. They were also troubleshooting some power alert issues in cellular service-related remote camera systems, processed critical system renewals, and provided HR with their first draft of the ADA CPRA response and materials.
City Administrator Pruett reported participating in several local events, including the Spring Festival Parade, the Chowchilla Fair, and a Rotary-sponsored lunch for special needs children.
Also attended a Community Task Force meeting and are held weekly; CFD meetings to progress toward bond issuance, including work related to Rancho Calera. Continuing education courses and noted ongoing grant efforts, including potential railroad-related funding opportunities.
Additional activities included attending the Economic Summit, a law enforcement memorial, and meeting with county officials to strengthen city-county collaboration. Lastly, provided an update City Council Meeting MINUTES May 12, 2026
on Opportunity Zones: implementation has been delayed to July 1, with stricter criteria for qualification and selection. The eligible maps have changed significantly, limiting qualifying areas, and the city will continue monitoring developments.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the April 28, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the April 2026 Check Register Report (Seeto) Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan 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 and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Declaring Intent to Reimburse Expenditures From Proceeds of Tax-Exempt Obligations (Pruett) Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #19-26, Declaring Intent to Reimburse Expenditures From Proceeds of Tax- Exempt Obligations. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving a Debt Management Policy (Pruett)
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #20-26, Approving a Debt Management Policy. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6.3 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Awarding Contract for the Ventura Avenue Pavement Resurfacing Project to Platinum General Engineering and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents and Amending the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget (Ensminger)
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Approve City Council Resolution #21-26, Awarding Contract for the Ventura Avenue Pavement Resurfacing Project to Platinum General Engineering and Authorizing the City Administrator or Designee to Execute Related Documents and Amending the Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6.4 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Accepting General Plan Annual Progress Report and Annual Housing Element Progress Report for the 2025 Year (Munoz)
Motion by Council Member Chavez Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #22-26, Accepting General Plan Annual Progress Report and Annual Housing Element Progress Report for the 2025 Year. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
City Council Meeting MINUTES May 12, 2026
MAY 20 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5:00PM MAY 25 MEMORIAL DAY, CITY OFFICES CLOSED
MAY 26 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the May 12, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting at 4:43 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
H буль
Joann McClendon, CMC Mayor Kelly Smith