MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 22/08-01
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: August 1, 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
Council Member Marcia Sablan
Council Member Elsa Lopez
Council Member Freddy Valdez
ABSENT: Mayor Pro Tem Felipe Pérez
OTHERS: City Attorney James McCann; City Manager/Acting Public Works Director, Ben Gallegos; Finance Director, Pio Martin Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; Fire Chief, John Borboa; Acct. Tech II, Olga Flores; City Engineer, Mario Gouveia; Public Works Director Michael Molina, Rayan Gonzalez, Matthew Garcia, Chris Gutierrez, Wanda Breshears, Amanda Fleming, Hector & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Police Chief Raygoza 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
Amanda Fleming introduced Mark Pazin and expressed her support for Mr. Pazin, who is running for State 27th Assembly in the November 8, 2022-General Election. Mr. Pazin presented the issues he plans to fight for such as: Keeping people safe by fighting “Defund the Police”, protecting people from sex offenders. Cutting taxes and fighting inflation by opposing new or higher taxes, protecting Prop 13, reduce cost of food, gas, & fixing supply chain problems. Working to reduce homelessness and cleaning up homeless camp sites by working with the state to require individuals who are mentally ill or drug-addicted to get long-term treatment. Protecting water and jobs, to make sure farmers and families get the needed water, reducing unfair taxes and regulations on small businesses to create and keep more jobs.
PRESENTATION None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on June 20, 2022.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on July 18, 2022.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING None
City Council Minutes
August 1, 2022
NEW BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 22-35 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH SUPPORTING THE MEASURE C RENEWAL EXPENDITURE PLAN.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-35 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 22-36 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
CONCERNING MEASURE C EXTENSION LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PURPOSE PASS-THROUGH AND PROGRAM FUNDS ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR FY 2022-2023.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-36 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 22-37 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A PROPERTY TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT WITH THE FRESNO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-37 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
STAFF REPORTS
Fire Chief John Borboa – nothing to report.
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – nothing to report.
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – did some outreach to the homeless living near the river and did some clean-up at the river with the public works department. Code enforcement reached out to business re handicap parking, and asked them to re-pain the parking, if they did have handicap parking, businesses were asked to install or designate a parking spot for handicap parking. Some businesses have already started working on it, there has been a lot of graffiti throughout town, officers have been addressing the issue, the department will be applying for a grant. Would like to invite everyone to attend National Night Out, August 11, 2022, at Maldonado Park. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – removed some trees at Dunkle park by Gomez Tree Service, they did a good job, ordered hand dryers and soap dispensaries for the parks. Installed new water line near Rubi Gardens area, if council has any recommendations, please let me know. Mike & Ben looked it to the concerns mentioned by Mayor Jenkins at the VFW, state law requires some clearance, so they have access to the backflow for repairs and replacement, so staff has a couple of recommendations but are limited also. Also looked at the planting area, Mayor Jenkins stated the plants are too small, so a higher fence should’ve been installed, staff responded the plants will grow taller and resolve the concern, but the plants were designed to improve the appearance of the building, verse the look of a fence, which was selected during the design process and approved by council. Other issue of concern is the northside is electrical and the baller on the southside, staff will be happy to meet the Mayor to explain and discuss further. Mayor Jenkins reported he has received complaints of flooding at the boxes at the Maldonado Park. Public Works Director Molina replied some boxes are low, so if the area is over watered, it will get flooded, public works staff will be asked to reduce the watering, we only have one week left before school starts and PAL activities finish, & the city will have additional help from Workforce Connections to assist us soon.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – glad we did repairs and removed trees at Dunkle Park, some could’ve fallen, so it was necessary, will work with Tree Fresno for new trees. Will start working on the new CIP, we completed about 70% of the listed projects from the current CIP. We must be careful, when we list projects on the CIP, water and sewer rates go up based on the projects listed, however, if we don’t list the projects we would like to see happen, the city can’t apply for grant funding on projects not listed in the CIP. Michael came on as the PW Director at the perfect time, we are looking at handicap slops, lights and other things that need to be corrected, he’s doing a great job, and has answered several calls we recently have had, including water leaks and waterline breaks. City sent out flyers offering assistance to residents that need help with rent or utility bills, there’s additional funding from a different source for utility bill payments, I recommend the city re-instate shut offs again to get the outstanding utility bills paid down, high amounts City Council Minutes
August 1, 2022
make it harder for the residents to pay down and city carries the outstanding debt. Working with Habitat of Humanity to finalize the transfer of the property deed and finish the San Joaquin Villas project. A new business is looking to relocate to Firebaugh, so we are working with them, a proposed business would like to develop their glass company operation at Lake JoAllan, but the area is a residential zone, not a commercial zone. Toma-Tek is in full operation, they are doing a good job on water usage, so they haven’t had to use the additional land near the sewer plant, so we are looking to work with another business for that area near the wastewater treatment plant. Attended a zoom meeting with Council Member Perez & Sablan on a proposed project, we need more homes & we have the infrastructure, but the prices of homes with the high interest rates have made buying a home very expensive. There’s been a few issues with the installation of the restrooms, so additional repairs have been made, the restrooms will be lifted for the repairs to be done then the restrooms will be re-opened.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Mayor Jenkins asked how much money the city received over the past 20 years from Measure C and where the city has spent the money? Finance Director reported the city has received $3.5 million in revenue and $3.2 million in expenditures over the 20 years. A small amount is used for salaries with most of the funding is used for street repairs, both the city and measure committee complete audits for this funding. The city hall front ADA door was installed today, the electronic will be installed tomorrow. Additional flyers will be sent out regarding the utility assistance funding that are available, but the people must apply, we can’t force them to use the programs.
City Attorney, James McCann – nothing to report.
Council Member Sablan – asked for an update on the dog issue discussed at the last meeting, City Manager Gallegos reported individuals brought blankets, about 10to 15 bags of dog food and the AC is working, and staff is looking for available grant for purchase or build new pound, would like to a brick building, but don’t have an estimated cost. Council Member Lopez - So glad to see P Street re-opened, the road looks a little narrower, but it looks nice. Council Member Valdez – inquired about the street sweeper. PW Director Molina replied, a complete motor re-build was done, so it should be back and running this week. City Manager Gallegos added, repairs cost about $50,000 for the street sweeper, parts have been very difficult to find, as well as finding a service place or person to do the work Even when the sweeper was taken to the dealer, they weren’t able to find the problem. Council Member Valdez suggested a service log be used to keep record of cost and how often equipment is being done. As for shut-off, we need to find a way to connect with the residents to fill out the forms, then the city will directly receive payment, instead of payment plans or doing shut-offs. City Manager Gallegos said he will contact the County of look for a company that offers services or individuals to assist the residents with the forms if they don’t trust staff. Council Member Felipe Perez – agrees with council member Valdez. Council Member Brady Jenkins – asked why the building paperwork and applications so difficult. City Manager asked, “That anyone who was an issue or complaint, be referred to him or have them contact him to discuss and resolve the matter.” Staff explained many times the individuals pull building permits and/or applications, because it is cheaper for the owner to requests a permit instead of a contract, but they aren’t the ones doing the work, so the don’t have the knowledge or information to complete the permit because they don’t know how to build the project. Matt Garcia replied, if the resident asked a contractor or handyman to fill out the permit application they could be charged. The complaint is the forms are too complicated to complete. Staff explained the forms are available on the city website and most building permit forms provide examples, guides, and site plans, of what and where the information should be provided. Councilmember Lopez added, she has pulled permits and stated they aren’t difficult to complete.
Councilmember Valdez suggested staff how complete the applications for the residents. Staff’s response is, if the individuals pulling permits don’t what the need, and staff doesn’t know the measurements of the project or parcel, there are too many unknow information to complete, not to mention it would make the city liable for complete incorrect information.
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn at 7:22 pm by Council Member Perez, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.