MINUTES
CROW HILLA CA
FOR City Council Meeting
CITY Council Chamber, Chowchilla City Hall
130 S. 2nd Street, Chowchilla, CA 93610
WHERE TRADITION
MEETS - Tuesday, September 8, 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 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 (Zoom), 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 - 3:00 PM
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 (b)(1)
Title: Police Chief
2. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 (b)(1)
Title: City Administrator
OPEN SESSION - 4:00 PM
CLOSED SESSION REPORT: No reportable action.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION: Pastor Richard Walker
PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOP - Section 1
PUBLIC ADDRESS
Titus Shields addressed the Council concerning an interaction he had with Chowchilla Police.
City Council Meeting MINUTES September 8, 2026
Nicole Delgadillo addressed the Council regarding her concerns over the animal shelter in Chowchilla, and requested exploring costs, funding, grants, partnerships, and possible locations for a new shelter.
Michael Mazuda introduced himself as a candidate for California's 5* Congressional District.
Dennis, Executive Director of the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce, announced the upcoming car show, thanked donors, and encouraged additional donations. He also announced an upcoming ribbon-cutting on October 6 and a local author book signing on October 10. Dennis reported the chamber currently has approximately 150-160 members.
COUNCIL AND STAFF VERBAL REPORTS - Section 2
2.1 COUNCIL VERBAL REPORTS
Legislative, Collaborative Agency, Ad Hoc
Council Member Chavez reported attending the Salter's groundbreaking.
Council Member Troost reported attending the Salter's groundbreaking and the Citizens Advisory committee, monthly meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Barragan reported attending the Salter's groundbreaking.
Council Member Ahmed reported attending the Salter's groundbreaking, and appreciation was expressed to the Fire Chief for the timely building safety inspection.
Mayor Smith reported attended the Salter's groundbreaking and the community task force committee.
2.2 STAFF VERBAL REPORTS
Police Chief Palmer reported 1,163 calls for service, 556 proactive stops, 28 misdemeanor arrests, 14 felony arrests, and 26 citations. Provided animal shelter statistics and attended the Fresno-Kings County Chiefs Conference.
Fire Chief Gaumnitz reported August activity, including 77 medical calls and 13 fires. Recognized the 24th anniversary of 9/11 and announced the department's new full-time engineer has started.
Public Works Deputy Director Roman reported that annual tree trimming has begun. Provided an update on the Highway Safety Improvement Project, with work expected to begin this week.
Community & Economic Development Director Munoz provided updates on the Flames Restaurant, Robertson Boulevard/Highway 15 annexation application, and Maple Meadows Phase 1 ribbon-cutting on September 25.
Director of Recreation & Community Engagement Wisener reported preparations for the Edward Park lighting project, a youth robotics enrichment program, and the upcoming Ride for Heroes Rodeo.
City Clerk McClendon reported recruitment for the Transit Driver Dispatcher 1 position, was posted on the City's website.
City Council Meeting MINUTES September 8, 2026
City Administrator Pruett reported attending the Salter's Groundbreaking and the community task orce meeting. Mr. Pruett Provided updates, evaluate the proposal from Rancho Calera regardin estriping of East Robertson Boulevard, including review by city engineers and presentation t the Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee. Proceed with connecting Well 16 to the city system once final utility design is received from Rancho Calera, and after receiving PG&E power and pump/pedestal.
CONSENT CALENDAR - Section 3
3.1 Approval of the August 25, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes (McClendon)
3.2 Consideration and Acceptance of the August 2026 Check Register Report (Seeto) Motion by Council Member Ahmed, Seconded by Council Member Troost 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 Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance of the City of Chowchilla Dissolving the City of Chowchilla Community Facilities District No. 2006-1, and Taking Related Actions (Pruett)
Motion by Council Member Troost, Seconded by Council Member Chavez to Waive the Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance #454-26 of the City of Chowchilla Dissolving the City of Chowchilla Community Facilities District No. 2006-1, and Taking Related Actions. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Section 7
SEP 14-16 ICSC@WESTERN, SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER
SEP 16 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, CANCELLED
SEP 19 CLASSIC CAR & CUSTOM BIKE SHOW, VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, 8:30AM SEP 22 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 4PM
SEP 23-25 LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE, ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Smith adjourned the September 8, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting at 4:30pm.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Joann McClendon, CMC Mayor Kelly Smith
City Clerk