MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 22/04-18
PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH 11 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER N-25-20,
EXECUTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA ON MARCH 12, 2020 City Council Meeting held via teleconferencing
*Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953 (b) (2), all action taken during this teleconferenced meeting shall be by roll call vote.
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: April 18, 2022/6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Mayor Jenkins at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Brady Jenkins
Mayor Pro Tem Felipe Pérez
Council Member Freddy Valdez
Council Member Marcia Sablan
ABSENT: Council Member Elsa Lopez 6:28 pm
OTHERS: City Attorney James McCann; City Manager/Acting Public Works Director, Ben Gallegos; Deputy Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; Fire Chief, John Borboa; City Planner, Karl Schoettler; City Engineer, Mario Gouveia; Dean of West Hills Community College (WHCC) – North District, Bethany Matos, Marc Benjamin (Brian Pacheco’s Office); Michael Sigala, Sergio Martinez of Workforce Connection, Martha Espinoza of Workforce Connection, Sonia De La Rosa of County of Fresno, Hector, Randy Hatch, Jackie Cuevas, Michael Molina, Wanda Breshears, Fernando Campa, Amy Fleming, BJ Fleming & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Valdez led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
BJ Fleming, with gas prices being so high, is it possible to looking into golf cart use in town or something like that, motorized bikes/motorcycles. Police Chief Raygoza responded, golf carts are allowed, when driven in certain area, and at 25 mile per hour speed limit and under.
PRESENTATION
• Downtown Revitalization Workshop – Michael Sigala, the goal of the program is to identify sites where mixed-use development is possible, establish a façade improvement program, encourage merchants to form an association or improvement district to promote the downtown area. Some parcels were proposed in the PowerPoint presentation for some development options to allow traditional mixed-use concept, affordable housing concept and community serving buildings
• Workforce Connection presentation given by Martha Espinoza, regarding the program and services they provide, which include scholarships for no cost schooling or vocational training, job placement assistance, which could be help with clothing and transportation. These services are for young adults ages 14-24, in or out of school, & dislocated workers or adults ages 18 and over, that are unemployed or underemployed. • Firebaugh Micro Business Grant - Sergio Martinez of Workforce Connection on outreach provided to inform business in the community, to apply for a $7,500 grant. Only one business has been issued the funding so far.
Many businesses have applied but are missing information on the application or documentation. Sergio has offered to assist them and is in the City Hall a few hours a week, reached will continue to inform businesses of the grant. Council Member Lopez joined the meeting via Webex at 6:28 p.m.
City Council Minutes
April 18, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on April 4, 2022.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting March 1 and ending on March 31, 2022.
March 2022 General Warrants #42512 - #42661 $ 895,843.00 Payroll Warrants #71722 - #71750 $ 141,791.11
TOTAL $ 1,037,634.11
3. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER USE OF THE RODEO GROUNDS
AND WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES BY FIREBAUGH POLICE ACTIVITIES LEAGUE (PAL), FIREBAUGH
POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, FIREBAUGH COMMITTEE OF POLICE PERSONNEL (COPP) &
FIREBAUGH RESERVE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, FOR A DEMOLITION DERBY AND FIREWORK SHOW ON JULY 2, 2022.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 4-0 vote. Council Member Lopez – no response, due to audio issues.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 22-17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF FRESNO RESOLUTION REGARDING HOMELESSNESS PRIORITIES.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 22-17 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 4-0 vote. Council Member Lopez – no response, due to audio issues.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 22-18 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH & ADAMS ASHBY GROUP FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR STATE GRANT ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 22-18 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 4-0 vote. Council Member Lopez – no response, due to audio issues.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: FY 2022/23 GENERAL FUND BUDGET PRELIMINARY PRESENTATION.
Information item only.
STAFF REPORTS
Fire Chief John Borboa – regarding the ladder fire truck, during the design stage of the new fire station we included two sets of doors, which one set of doors is 14 feet high by 12 feet wide to allow a ladder fire truck. Finance Director, Pio Martin – working on the next preliminary budget – Water and Sewer, there is a 2% salary increase for all employees on July 1, 2022, per approval of the MOU. Police Chief Sal Raygoza – held a recognition for employees over 10 years for services, officer attending SB2 training & submitting information to POST & reports to the State. City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – nothing to report.
City Council Minutes
April 18, 2022
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Wonderful employees will be painting the Fonseca Building aka Dino’s on Wednesday.
Received grant funding for Dunkle Park, so new equipment and redo the concrete of the basketball court, currently, there is a lot of cracks on the court. We are looking for shade structures, but we may not have funding to purchase, we are not sure yet. Reminder, I will be out of the office this Thursday & Friday and out of town for daughters’ graduation. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – This year is an election year, Fresno County Elections Office will be holding classes, if anyone would like to attend. I placed the information in your mailboxes at City Hall and posted flyer in the lobby. City Attorney, James McCann – nothing to report, looking forward to working with everyone. Bethany Matos, Associate Dean of North District Center – The façade of the building is changing a little bit, construction is on time. Open registration has started, next Wednesday & Thursday, students were able to see an advisor, get financial aid questions answered & class information for the FY 22-23. Fire Chief Borboa asked, “What the timeline is to open P Street again?” Ms. Matos will look into it. Council Member Valdez – Toma Tek asked to meet regarding fees, they stated the fees here are higher than fees they pay in Los Banos, regarding impact fees. They also inquired, how they can save money and about the rate study.
Firebaugh lost one of our greatest leaders in our community, Gilbert Coelho, family asked if they could use the community center for free. City Manager Gallegos informed council the services are on the same day Salvation Army serves dinner to the community, so staff is trying to figure out a solution or cancel the dinner. Council Member Jenkins – nothing to report.
Council Member Sablan – nothing to report.
Council Member Perez – nothing to report.
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 8:46 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passes by a 4-0 vote. Council Member Lopez – no response, due to audio issues.