MINUTES
CHOWCH LA CALIFO
City Council Meeting
Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
WHERE TRADITION
- MEETS Tuesday, July 14, 2026
TOMORROW
Open Session - 4:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor: Kelly Smith
Mayor Pro Tem: Ray Barragan (Absent)
Council Members: Waseem Ahmed, John Chavez, Jeff Troost (Absent) City staff and contract employees present: 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, IT System Administrator Carlos Berrocal, City Clerk Joann McCelndon, 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 Certificate of Recognition for Quinnley Robinson
1.2 Proclamation: Park and Recreation Month
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Titus Shields addressed the Council regarding supporting Mark IV Metals products/business.
He also noted that residents of Sonoma and Kings Avenue would like to see lights and four way stop signs be placed on Kings and Sonoma. They feel this will help decrease the speeding in the area.
Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce Manager, Dennis Haworth, addressed the Council regarding the upcoming Annual Car Show event. Car Show planning is progressing well with new sponsors and two new Chamber members. Car and motorcycle registration is now open.
Event t-shirt design has been finalized. Ribbon cutting planned for Rural Health Network in August. Mayor directed staff to place the chamber funding contribution on a future agenda for formal approval.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Council Member Chavez commented positively on Music in the Park conditions.
Council Member Ahmed reported on the Madera County Economic Development Commission meeting and ongoing business interest in the county.
City Council Meeting MINUTES
July 14, 2026
Mayor Smith reported limited activity due to vacation and commented on projected county growth and population increase.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer reported since the last meeting; responded to 1,257 calls for service.
Conducted 556 proactive activities/stops. 42 misdemeanor arrests. Made 6 felony arrests.
Issued 38 citations. During the Fourth of July (6:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.): Responded to 103 calls for service. Transported five arrestees to the Madera County Department of Corrections.
Reported a busy but successful holiday with no major incidents.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz reported June activity: 109 calls for service. 119 individual responses. 7 vegetation fires. 2 structure fires. 4 vehicle fires. 2 hazardous situations. 72 medical calls (including trauma incidents). 6 public service requests. 16 non-emergency responses.
Fourth of July weekend was extremely busy, with crews working until approximately 4:00 a.m.
Volunteers participated in the Lions Show, displaying the fire engine for community members.
Fire Chief thanked the Police Department for its efforts enforcing illegal fireworks regulations.
Additionally reported: Two new volunteer firefighters are currently in the background process.
Four new volunteers have joined this year. The Chief's 18-year-old son was sworn in as a volunteer firefighter. The Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is expected to be completed within the next month or two.
Public Works Director Ensminger reported summer activities continue to keep staff busy supporting Music in the Park and Movies in the Park. Introduced Joel Garcia, the City's new Parks and Facilities Supervisor, who has been with the city for approximately one month.
Reported on a recent water main break caused during underground construction. Repairs were completed before midnight. No customers lost water service during the incident.
Finance Director Seeto reported Staff continues: Transitioning into the new fiscal year budget.
Finalizing the previous fiscal year's budget. Updating the City's fee schedule. Updating employee pay scales.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the June 23, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Approval of the June 30, 2026 Special City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.3 Consideration and Acceptance of the June 2026 Check Register Report (Seeto)
3.4 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Requesting the Madera County Clerk-Recorder to Render Specified Services to the City of Chowchilla Relating to the Conduct of Municipal Elections (McClendon)
3.5 Second Reading, with Option to Waive the Second Reading, and Adoption of an Ordinance Finding Zoning Text Amendment 26-0001 Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and Amending Chowchilla Municipal Code Section 18.60.030- Accessory Dwelling Units, to Comply with State ADU Law and Address California Department of Housing and Community Development Findings (Munoz)
Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Chavez to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented. Motion passed by roll call vote with Mayor Pro Tem Barragan and Council Member Troost absent.
City Council Meeting MINUTES July 14, 2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Adopting the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan for the City of Chowchilla and Approving the Submission of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan for the City of Chowchilla to the California Department of Water Resources in Accordance with California Water Code Sections 10610-10657 (Ensminger)
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 4:23pm. No one came forward for or against the item.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:24pm.
Motion by Council Member Chavez, Seconded by Council Member Ahmed to Adopt the Resolution Adopting the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan for the City of Chowchilla and Approving the Submission of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan for the City of Chowchilla to the California Department of Water Resources in Accordance with California Water Code Sections 10610-10657. Motion did not pass with Mayor Smith voting no, and Mayor Pro Tem Barragan and Council Member Troost were absent.
4.2 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Adopting the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan for the City of Chowchilla and Approving the Submission of the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan for the City of Chowchilla to the California Department of Water Resources in Accordance with California Water Code Sections 10610-10657 (Ensminger)
Mayor Smith opened the public hearing at 4:31pm. No one came forward for or against the item.
Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:31pm.
Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Chavez to Adopt City Council Resolution #47-26, Adopting the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan for the City of Chowchilla and Approving the Submission of the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan for the City of Chowchilla to the California Department of Water Resources in Accordance with California Water Code Sections 10610-10657. Motion passed with Mayor Pro Tem Barragan and Council Member Troost absent.
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Authorizing the City Administrator or Other Authorized Representative to: Execute all Implicated Documentation for Pre-Application and Application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grants for Federal Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027 for the Chowchilla Municipal Airport (206) as Shown in the Airport's capital improvement plan (ACIP); Accept FAA AIP grants) for FY 2026 and FY 2027 Projects at the Airport Including All Subsequent Amendments Thereto Offered by the FAA; and Apply for and Accept Grants and all Subsequent Amendments Thereto Offered by the California Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division for Matching Funds for FY 2026 and 2027 FAA-approved projects at the Chowchilla Municipal Airport (Ensminger) Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Chavez to table the item and bring it back with the additional information Council Member Ahmed requested. Motion passed with Mayor Smith voting no to table the item, and with Mayor Pro Tem Barragan and Council Member Troost absent.
City Council Meeting MINUTES July 14, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
JuLY 15 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5PM JULY 17 MUSIC IN THE PARK #4, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, 7PM JULY 18 MOVIES IN THE PARK #5, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, SUNSET JULY 20 AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5PM JULY 24 MUSIC IN THE PARK #5, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, 5PM JULY 25 MOVIES IN THE PARK #6, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, SUNSET JULY 28 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith Adjourned the July 14, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting at 4:41 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
pone
Joanh McClendon, CMC, City Clerk Mayor Pro Tem, Ray Barragan