MINUTES
CROW CHILLA
City Council Meeting
CITY OF Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
WHERE TRADITION
- MEETS Tuesday, August 11, 2026
TOMORROW
Closed Session: 3:00 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, 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, Deputy City Clerk Vanessa Galvez-Escobar • CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additions and/or Deletions: None
PUBLIC ADDRESS - CLOSED SESSION
None
CLOSED SESSION - 3:00 PM
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 (b)(1)
Title: Police Chief
OPEN SESSION - 4:00 PM
CLOSED SESSION REPORT: None.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Jeff Troost
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
1.1 Certificate of Recognition for Quinnley Robinson
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Tammie LaMenttina, A resident requested follow-up on concerns previously submitted and reported drainage issues at 15th Street and Alameda Avenue. Staff confirmed her updated contact information was received and forwarded to the appropriate departments for follow-up regarding both concerns.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
City Council Meeting MINUTES August 11, 2026
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Council Member Ahmed reported on the County Economic Development Commission meeting.
The Commission provided an update regarding social media and policy, as well as the industrial and retail vacancy rate, which increased to 7.7% in the third quarter from 6.1%. Councilmember Ahmed requested that staff look into whether comparable data is available for the City of Chowchilla to determine trends in local industrial and retail vacancies.
Council Member Barragan provided an update regarding the Greenhills project and thanked City staff for their responsiveness and assistance over the past several weeks, including on weekends.
He specifically recognized staff members who responded to calls and helped ensure issues were addressed promptly.
Mayor Smith reported on the recent Task Force meeting, which was well attended. He introduced members of the Task Force to Rising Empowerment Sports Ministries, an organization that works with youth through athletics, mentorship, faith, education, and community engagement. The organization began in Atwater and is now working with Merced and has reached out regarding potential opportunities in Chowchilla. Mayor explained that the program may provide opportunities for local youth who need additional support and may also assist families with the cost of participation for youth who cannot afford to join a team. The organization will be vetted to determine whether the program would be a good fit for the community. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to introduce the organization to the Task Force.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Chief Palmer reported 1,089 calls for service, 503 proactive activities, 32 misdemeanor arrests, 5 felony arrests, and 25 citations. He also shared condolences regarding the passing of Service Officer Ryan Hunter, who served the city for 17 years.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz reported 132 calls for service in July, including 22 fire calls, 16 vegetation/other fires, 5 structure fires, 1 transportation fire, 3 hazardous situations, 78 medical calls, 23 of which involved trauma, and additional public service, non-emergency, canceled, and false alarm responses. Chief Gaumnitz also provided an update on potentially reallocating $300,000 previously designated as a match for a training tower toward the City's engine replacement fund.
Public Works Director Ensminger provided an update on the Fairmead project and reported that the service agreement for wastewater services outside the City's service boundaries was finalized and will move forward for execution.
Community & Economic Development Director Munoz reported continued work with developers and property owners and announced a new business, Compost Landscape Supply, at 1008 Robertson Boulevard, projected to open September 1.
Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener reported the conclusion of the summer swim program, with 1,844 youth and 803 adult swimmers. Staff thanked Chowchilla High School for its partnership. Staff also promoted the upcoming Community Paint Night and fall recreation activities, including a new 6:00 a.m. Chowchilla Fit class.
City Administrator Pruett reported on active grant applications, including the proposed linear park, additional pickleball courts, water and sewer master plan updates, and the Kings Avenue storm drain project. Staff also provided an update on grant efforts for the roundabout project and wastewater treatment plant infrastructure improvements.
City Council Meeting MINUTES August 11, 2026
Reported on discussions with Southland regarding potential assistance with needed wastewater treatment plant infrastructure upgrades. Staff also provided an update on the Ventura Avenue project, which is expected to be completed before school begins. The project includes striping, concrete, walls, painting, and relocation of the flashing stop sign. Staff clarified that the Fairmead consolidation project will add approximately 0.9 MGD of additional treatment capacity, increasing overall capacity by approximately 50%, but will not address needed repairs to the City's existing treatment systems.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the July 28, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the July 2026 Check Register Report (Seeto)
3.3 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Authorizing the Federal Funding Under FTA Section 5311(49 USC Section 5311) and/or 5339 (49 USC Section 5339) with California Department of Transportation (McClendon) Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Troost to Approve the Consent Calendar as Presented.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Section 4
4.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Confirming Diagram and Assessments and Approving the Levy and Collection of the Annual Assessments for Landscape Maintenance and Lighting District No. 90-1 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (Ensminger)
Mayor Simth opened the public hearing at 4:26pm. No one came forward for or against the item. Mayor Smith closed the public hearing at 4:26pm.
Motion by Council Member Chavez, Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan to Adopt City Council Resolution #55-26, Motion carried; Resolution #55-26 adopted.
DEFERRED BUSINESS - Section 5
NEW BUSINESS - Section 6
6.1 Consideration and Adoption of a City Council Resolution Approving an Allocation from the Council Contingency Fund to the Chowchilla-Madera County Fair for the Ride for Heroes Rodeo Event (Wisener)
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Barragan, Council Member Ahmed to Adopt City Council Resolution #56-26, Motion carried; Resolution #56-26 adopted.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
AUG 14 COMMUNITY PAINT NIGHT, CHOWCHILLA SENIOR CENTER, 6PM AUG 25 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
SEP 14-16 ICSC@WESTERN, SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER
SEP 19 CLASSIC CAR & CUSTOM BIKE SHOW, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, 8:30AM SEP 23-25 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE, ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
ADJOURNMENT
City Council Meeting MINUTES August 11, 2026
Mayor Smith Adjourned the August 11, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting at 4:31 p.m.
ATTEST APPROVED:
Chamele Killy Omitte
Vanessa Galvez-Escobar, Deputy City Clerk Mayor, Kely Smith