MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 22/05-16
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: May 16, 2022/6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Mayor Jenkins at 6:03 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Brady Jenkins 6:02 pm
Mayor Pro Tem Felipe Pérez
Council Member Marcia Sablan
Council Member Elsa Lopez
ABSENT: Council Member Freddy Valdez
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 Engineer, Mario Gouveia; Noe Martinez, Gouveia Engineering; Marc Benjamin (Brian Pacheco’s Office); Hector, Chris Gutierrez & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Sablan led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
PRESENTATION
• Jesse Rangle, Protective Security Advisor of U.S. Department of Homeland Security - Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency – works for Central Valley District, provided information on services they provide to assist our communities and businesses for free.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on May 2, 2022.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council & School District special meeting on February 23, 2022.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 22-20 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AUTHORIZING USE OF EMERGENCY REMOTE TELECONFERENCING PROVISIONS.
4. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting April 1 and ending on April 30, 2022.
April 2022 General Warrants #42662 - #42765 $ 673,495.42 Payroll Warrants #71751 - #71773 $ 137,497.98
TOTAL $ 810,993.40
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
May 16, 2022
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
5. RESOLUTION NO. 22-21 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
CALLING AND GIVING NOTICE OF THE HOLDING OF A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN SAID CITY ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022, FOR THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN
OFFICERS OF SAID CITY AND REQUESTING THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY
OF FRESNO TO CONSOLIDATE AND CANVASS THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2022 WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THAT DATE PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10400 ET SEQ.; TO
PERMIT THE COUNTY CLERK/REGISTRAR OF VOTERS OF THE COUNTY OF FRESNO TO
RENDER SPECIFIED SERVICES TO THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH, RELATING TO THE CONDUCT
OF SAID GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10002; AND AUTHORIZING REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS TO PAY FOR SAID SERVICES.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-21 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
6. RESOLUTION 22-22 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH OF INTENT TO LEVY AND COLLECT THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT FOR ASSESSMENT DISTRICT NO. 1 AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING (Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972).
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-22 by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
7. RESOLUTION 22-23 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK PROCLAMATION.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-23 by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 22-24 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH FY 2022/2023 LIST OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS FOR
FUNDING FROM THE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) CREATED BY SENATE BILL 1: ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017 AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO FILE WITH THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION THE PROJECT LIST AND ANNUAL EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR FY 2022/2023 RMRA FUNDING.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-24 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: FY 2020/21 ENTERPRISE FUND PRELIMINARY BUDGET.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – department has been responding to vandalism from mostly markers and spray paint, a few individuals have been arrested. We’re working hard but need to continue addressing traffic issues; wreck less driving, speeding, and racing. There’s been issues at the schools with students and vape pens, so we will meet with school representatives. Recently, a black bear sighting outside the city limits near the Senora Market, so fish and game came to assist us with him. The bear was tranquillized and will be released in the forest, he was about 244 lbs., we nicknamed him ”Gerald”, because he was found on Gerald and Nees. Excited the construction will begin on the new Police Station. City Manager Gallegos reported a few issues during construction with the Library & Architect has been very ill, so it’s holding the project up. Department has received complaints about vehicles not making complete stops. Looking at the numbers this year, shows stats are increasing from past years. A resident reported, people are City Council Minutes
May 16, 2022
smoking marijuana, & vapes pens at the parks, he confronted one individual but avoided getting into a fight; however, a game between Los Banos against individuals from Firebaugh led to a fight that included parents. We understand Cops can’t be everywhere all the time, but it would help if the past by to patrol the parks more often to stop things like this. Staff replied, “It would help if Police Dept. or city were informed of the events, many times people hold the events and don’t inform anyone about them.”
Fire Chief John Borboa – fire activity is up, no nothing else to report. City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – nothing to report.
City Attorney, James McCann – nothing to report.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – we’ve been experiencing high activity of graffiti at the parks, The Wonderful Company & staff volunteered to paint the bleachers at Dunkle Park, the next day, it was vandalized, luckily, they gave us the extra paint, which allowed us to fix it, but this is the most year of graffiti ever seen in working with the city.
Resident asked in the cameras work at the park. Ben replied, “yes, and I will be added more lighting to help.” Resident reported potholes in different areas of town & stated the city has fixed some but there are still others in the same area. Ben responded, he is short staffed, but some of the streets are really bad because the maintenance was not kept up, that is why he is doing slurry seal to the streets, when possible, to avoid these kinds of issues. Potholes on the highway are maintained by Caltrans, and city has reported it to them. Will attend ICSC Conference starting Sunday – May 22.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – in three weeks, I hope to present the remaining funds budget (street, grants, Impact fees) before approval of final budget. Our new hire is Rachel Lopez, she is very friendly & previously worked at Dollar General.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – elections are this year, training to complete form and file are available, working on several Public Request Act we’ve received, RMA cases for liability and worker compensation, recording keeping and processing paperwork for the several grants. Olga & I attended training to be a notary, should receive test results in about three weeks or so.
Council Member Lopez - asked why city is hiring a Public Works Director if Ben can do the job. Attended court and awarded custody of her niece and will be home on Friday. Council Member Sablan – agreed with Council Member Lopez about Public Works Director position, reported on the electronic board, don’t really like to see “Have a nice day”, can we get other information, such as Football games or events in town be placed on the board. Staff reported, yes but city must be informed of events, we aren’t always aware of the events in town and space is limited, so please use the form the city provides which is in the lobby of the city hall and on the city website.
Council Member Perez – nothing to report.
Council Member Jenkins – nothing to report.
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:45 pm by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.