MINUTES
CROWGHILA CALIFO
City Council Meeting
GITY oF Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
WHERE TRADITION
MEETS Tuesday, May 26, 2026
TOMORROW
Closed Session: 3:30 p.m. | 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 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.
PUBLIC ADDRESS - CLOSED SESSION
None.
CLOSED SESSION - 3:30 PM
1. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 7.3 +/- Acres, APN 018-231-061 (a portion)
Agency Negotiator: City Administrator Pruett
Negotiating Parties: Dough Thiel
Under Negotiation: Price and/or Terms
OPEN SESSION - 4:00 PM
CLOOSED SESSION REPORT:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Pruitt
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
PUBLIC ADDRESS
No one spoke.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
City Council Meeting MINUTES May 26, 2026
Council Member Troost reported participating in the Beautify Chowchilla Project on May 16.
Volunteers worked on the Land Company Building, including painting and cleanup efforts.
Expressed appreciation to all who assisted with the project. Also attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Chowchilla District Cemetery on May 25 and commented that the event was very well done.
Council Member Ahmed reported attending the Madera County Transportation Commission meeting. He also attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at the cemetery.
Mayor Smith reported participating in the Beautify Chowchilla Project. Assisted with project preparation on the Friday before the painting day, including meeting with Diana Palmer, helping with scraping and other prep work, and arranging for a scissor lift. Thanked participants for transporting the lift and noted that the cleanup efforts avoided an additional cleanup fee.
Commented that approximately 25 to 30 high school students volunteered and that the project was a great success. Also attended a question-and-answer forum with two gubernatorial candidates and found the event informative and helpful.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener reported that staff is preparing for summer programming activities, including Music in the Park, Movies in the Park, and Open Swim. A Block Party is scheduled to kick off Music in the Park on June 12, and Open Swim will begin June 8 in partnership with Chowchilla Union High School. Staff submitted a PG&E grant application to support Movies in the Park and continue work on budget preparations, park projects, and the Beautify Chowchilla Project. Wisener also reported that the IT Department completed cybersecurity reviews, investigated a suspicious email incident, and continued work on the City's website and camera systems.
Police Chief Palmer reported that the Police Department responded to 1,392 calls for service, conducted 604 proactive activities, made 52 arrests, and issued 38 citations since the last Council meeting. He also reminded the public to exercise caution and stop for pedestrians at crosswalks.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz reported that Robert Sanchez has joined the department as a full-time employee and is currently in training. He also announced that Alfonso Montez has joined the department as a volunteer firefighter.
Public Works Director Ensminger reported on emergency repairs to a damaged water main discovered during the airport project. He noted that outdated utility maps complicated repair efforts but staff successfully restored service. Ensminger stated that staff plans to update utility maps and pursue a GIS project to improve infrastructure management and emergency response capabilities.
Community and Economic Development Director Munoz reported on the May 20 Planning Commission meeting and provided updates on local business activity, including the relocation of Enchanted Bridal, the opening of Tyler Badger Chowchilla Feed, and the reopening of California Thrift Shop and Notary. She also noted that budget preparation efforts are ongoing.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the May 12, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the April 2026 Financials Report (Seeto)
3.3 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Filing of the Notice of Completion for the Waterline Replacement Project Phase I (Ensminger)
City Council Meeting MINUTES May 26, 2026
3.4 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Filing of Notices of Completion for the Well No. 15 Development Project, Water Tanks Backup Generators Project, and Civic Center Generator Project (Ensminger)
Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Troost to Approve the Consent Calendar as Amended, pulling item 3.2 from consideration. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Chavez absent.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Accepting the Grant Deed for APN 014-270-003 and the Conveyance of the Well 16 Site to the City of Chowchilla (Munoz)
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve City Council Resolution #25-26, Accepting the Grant Deed for APN 014-270-003 and the Conveyance of the Well 16 Site to the City of Chowchilla. Motion passed by roll call vote with Council Member Chavez absent.
6.2 Discussion and/or Direction Regarding Consolidation of Park Capital Improvement Plan Projects P-10, P-12, and P-13 at Montgomery Farms Park for State Grant Opportunity (Wisener)
Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Approve the Consolidation of Park CIP P-10, -12, & -13 at Montgomery Farms Park for State Grant Opportunity. Motion passed with Council Member Chavez absent.
6.3 Discussion Regarding Soil and Air Quality Testing at and Around Veterans Memorial Park (Ensminger)
No action; verbal report only.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
JUNE 8 FIRST DAY OF OPEN SWIM, CUHS SWIMMING POOL, 12:30PM - 4PM JUNE 9 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
JUNE 12 COMMUNITY PARTY IN THE PARK, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, 7PM JUNE 13 MOVIES IN THE PARK, 'ZOOTOPIA', VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, SUNSET JUNE 14 BATTLE OF THE BADGES BLOOD DRIVE, 1225 E ROBERTSON, 11AM - 3PM JUNE 17 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5:00PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the May 26, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting at 4:52 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
K. Swith
Joann Mayor Kelly Smith
City Clerk