MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 22/06-06
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: June 6, 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 Marcia Sablan 6:02 pm
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; Gouveia Engineering; Marc Benjamin (Brian Pacheco’s Office); Matthew Garcia, Ryan Gonzalez, Linda Espinosa, & 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 Lopez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Matt Garcia, VFW Manager, ask for Council to give City Manager permission to purchase tables & chairs from lifetime, because it’s taking a toll on renting the VFW, & give permission to the City Manager to adjust the rates, the lease agreement included waiver of community events such as the Firemen’s Dance, which VFW can’t afford, so we would like to ask for reimbursement of the cost of PG&E during events, other events held at the building include the Blood Drive for the school, library event, and other events. Adjusting the rates will help us from being in the negative with additional costs, so if the City Manager can re-negotiate the agreements for these events, it would be helpful. Charles Fleming stated with fires at the river as far as cleanup there and problems with Fish & Game, Madera had a house burn down & they asked to be able to cleanup, maybe the city can possible reach out to Madera Co to assist with cleanup in the area and with the homeless encampment. Dos Palos has done cleanup along their riverbed. If we could look into cleaning along the homes near the river to avoid them from burning down as a preventative. Wanda Breshears (via email), “I am not able to attend tonight’s meeting, but I wanted to express my appreciation, & thank you to our Fire Department, and our Police Department for your quick response to the recent fires, for your priority for the safety of the residents of our city. We are to pray for all those in authority! ����� To our police officers, our firemen for their dedication and commitment in keeping our city safe and peaceful. To our Mayor, City Councilmembers, City Manager for wisdom in making right decisions for our great city. Thank you, God Bless you all! Wanda Breshears.” Linda Espinoza – “I want to say, thank you to the Police Dept. and the Fire Dept., it was scary & traumatizing with the kids in school. Thank you, because it was very scare, if we can cleanup that area, I agree with BJ. Other concern, in government camp area there’s been gang activity, two guys have jumped others and/or are harassing others. My Mother lives in that area, she’s 84 years old, so I ask if the police department can do more, there’s a lot of elderly people living there. People are driving fast, speeding or racing, gang activity, I wish to tackle the problem now, before it gets more serious.”
PRESENTATION
Part-time Dispatcher Ana Santos and Reserve Officer Leo Pao Xiong were sworn in.
City Council Minutes
June 6, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on May 16, 2022.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
2. ORDINANCE NO. 22-03 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADDING A NEW SUBSECTION TO SECTION 2-4 OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING POLICE ACQUISITION AND USE OF “MILITARY EQUIPMENT” – SECOND READING.
Motion to continue Ord. No. 22-03 to June 20, 2022 & allow a 30-day posting of the policy for public review by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 22-25 - A RESOLUTION CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO FROM THE 2021-2022 FUNDING YEAR OF THE STATE CDBG PROGRAM.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-25 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 22-26 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
ACCEPTING THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF HVAC UNITS, SMART
THERMOSTATS, AND SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
RECORD A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH FRESNO COUNTY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO RELEASE THE FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE BOND AND LABOR & MATERIAL BOND FOR SAID IMPROVEMENTS.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-26 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 5- 0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 22-27 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH COMPLETE STREET PLAN – SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES COMPETITIVE – COMMUNITY CONNECTIVITY AND DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION STUDY PROJECT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-27 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
6. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT: FY 2022/23 STREET & IMPACT PRELIMINARY BUDGET.
Finance Director Pio Martin presented the preliminary budget of the Street & Impact Funds.
STAFF REPORTS
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – 14th Street Rehab update. Fire Chief John Borboa – recent fire at the bottom of the riverbed was the largest fire Firebaugh has had, we dodged a bullet, if the wind was blowing in a different direction, we may have lost city homes. Two homes were lost on the Madera County side, because of the recent fires in that area. Madera has cleaned up the river on their county side. There is potential to loss homes if the city can’t clean up that area. Working on the finishing touches to the Mutual Aid Agreement with Fresno County, there will be an increase for provided services. Linda Espinosa thanked John and the Fire City Council Minutes
June 6, 2022
Department for everything they did, it was very scary, especially for the kids in school. Everyone agrees no one wants to harass the homeless but we need to provide help or assistance to relocate them, because we can’t allow them to put our community in danger & kids will start participating in the River Camp group in that same area. BJ Fleming’s wife works with the Madera Sheriffs, maybe she can ask them for help with the homeless encampment or any kind of help to assist them. Fire Chief Borboa added the homeless has been doing open cooking and have fire to keep them warm in the winter, which a potential to start a fire & they have been seen urinating in the river, where many community members go to for fishing and swimming. Locals refer to the area as the “Firebaugh Beach”. The last two fires in that area, started on the Madera County side but jumped to the city limits. City Manager and Police Chief are working on setting appointments with Madera County representatives to discuss this matter. Council Member Valdez asked what the Police Department is doing about the know issues. Police Chief Raygoza stated Officers have been enforcing laws, which is why the individuals are moving to the Madera County side, but the department can’t just throw the people out of the area, because there are rules that must be followed. Fire Chief Borboa stated where the city limit property line is and where Madera County property line begins. Anyone who witnesses an issue was asked to notify the Police Department. Mr. Mark Benjamin of Board of Supervisor Brain Pacheco’s Office – stated he is willing to reach out to have someone assist and work with the city regarding this matter. Fresno County has programs to help the home individuals. Bethany Matos, Associate Dean of North District Center – nothing to report, registration is open for people that are looking for college classes, construction is going well, and the college is looking great. Police Chief Sal Raygoza – working on the homeless issue, Fire Chief and Police Chief may disagree on the property lines of the city limits and Madera County but an appointment with representatives from Madera County has been made to discuss. PD will start enforcing the laws and issues at the river, but those individuals will be pushed to other areas and be spread out elsewhere, it is an endless battle. The city has issues with gang activities at the government camp, an arrest has been made, so we are hoping it will help reduce activity, since he was one of the leaders. The suspect had plans to commit a crime, a juvenile with a gun, we’ve had people coming from other communities. Speeding is an issue, PD has issued over 100 speeding tickets, this year …, not sure what’s going on, but this year has been difficult, crime has increase in several different areas. Council Member Sablan added, hopefully, the task force that Mr. Benjamin suggested should be a lead in the matter of the homeless and mental health, trying to get them help and assisting them. Police Chief reported the drone was helpful with the fire because it was able to provide information and assist on the direction the fire was going, BJ Fleming agreed, getting homeless individuals help or placement where they can’t do harm to themselves and other would be great. Linda Espinoza recommended speed bumps be placed near the housing authority and Maldonado Park before someone gets hurt, & asked what the Housing Authority is doing, since the gang problems are taking place at their facility and area. Police Chief replied, they have a new manager and she’s working on the matter. Finance Director, Pio Martin – final Budget will be at the next meeting. New employee Rachel is working out great, she a quick learner.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – De La Rosa has come out to work with our homeless. I heard a lot of thank you’ s to the fire department & police departments, and I want to thank the School District, their employees were helping with the fire and put their lives in danger to assist us, when they didn’t have too. Thursday, June 9, 2022, interviews will be held for the Public Works director position. Planning a two-day vacation starting Friday, emails were sent to notify council. 14th Street Rehab project will begin soon as Mario has reported. City Attorney, James McCann – nothing to report, if any assists are needed from our office with homelessness or to just brainstorm the office is available.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – nothing to report.
Council Member Sablan – asked if the city or anyone is interested in acquiring back the property at 11th & O St, the City Manager stated he will be meeting with property owner to discuss the possibility. Council Member Valdez – Attended the ICSC, meet with several businesses, we would like to bring them to our city, the problem is, once the property owners that own empty lots find out the businesses are willing to work with the city, the property owners what millions of dollars for the businesses to purchase the property, so the businesses go to Mendota.
Reach out to individuals on solar for the new buildings, City Manager stated he is working on it already City Council Minutes
June 6, 2022
Council Member Lopez - nothing to report
Council Member Perez – nothing to report.
Council Member Jenkins – requested to be invited he be at the meetings the City Manager mentioned during earlier.
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 8:06 pm by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.