MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 22/08-15
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 15, 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; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; 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, Mark Pazin, Wanda Breshears, Marc Benjamin & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE City Manager Gallegos led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Amanda Fleming introduced Mr. Amnon Shor; Mr. Shor is running for 14th State Senate against Senator Anna Caballero. Mr.
Shor an immigrate from Israel moved to the United States in 1980. Mr. Shor as a Rabbi travels the world to help religious institutions in other countries, but raised his family and his business, in the Central Valley for decades over the past 3 years and expressed the country is not the same. As a farmer that had eight acres, water is a necessity but scarce these days. Madera wants to tax farmers, but water is an issue and farmers are ready struggling. Priorities for running this election is protect and provide water for the agriculture industry, support law enforcement and fight crime versus defunding the police and protect the unborn children.
PRESENTATION None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on August 1, 2022.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting July 1 and ending on July 31, 2022.
July 2022 General Warrants #43005 - #43104 $ 1,004,007.86 Payroll Warrants #71824 - #71836 $ 88,697.79
TOTAL $ 1,092,705.65
3. RESOLUTION NO. 22-38 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AUTHORIZING USE OF EMERGENCY REMOTE TELECONFERENCING PROVISIONS.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Sablan, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING None
City Council Minutes
August 15, 2022
NEW BUSINESS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 22-39 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF 14th STREET REHABILITATION, AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO
RECORD A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH FRESNO COUNTY, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE FINAL PAYMENT OF RETENTION MONIES TO AJ EXCAVATION, INC.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-25 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 22-40 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH REINSTATING WATER SERVICE DISCONTINUATION FOR DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-4 by Council Member Lopez, no second motion, Res. No. 2-40 failed.
STAFF REPORTS
Fire Chief John Borboa – last weekend there was multiple vehicle accidents, six lives were lost, it’s harvest season more trucks are on the road. Dept. is re-organizing, two individuals, three apparatus engineers, the number one priority to make sure the city is covered at all times. Council asked about concerns of the community regarding the pictures posted on the webpage from accidents scenes. The Fire Dept’s webpage is a public website, since we are a volunteer fire department, the site has 76,000 likes/hits, and only received three complaints, FOX News asked to use a photo from our site & attorney’s stated pictures posted on the website could be taken/ accessed by anyone passing by, so it’s not illegal. Pictures posted from accidents photoshop/cover faces, licenses plates and all other personal information, photos aren’t immediately posted and could be seen be seen on 11 o‘clock or 10 O’clock news. City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – 8th and 9th alley improvements go out to bid on Sept. 8 for the slurry seal projects. Police Chief Sal Raygoza – seen a lot of accidents outside of the city limits, there was an accident in front of Toma-Tek possibly alcohol related, waiting for the toxicology report, citations may be issued to people at schools, officers have been issuing warning to parents violating traffic regulations. The 1st football is this Friday, National night was a successful event.
West Hills Grand opening will be Sept. 27, 2022at 3:00 pm. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – park restrooms at the park are up and operating, hopefully, there isn’t anymore issues. The utility and surface alley improvement project will go out to bid Thursday, waterlines replacement, replace gutters& curbs. Problem with Sweeper, the starter went out, got it started, but it stopped because the motor went out, no one wants to work on the CNG Sweeper, we’ve been working on it every day. Council Member Valdez asked how much it will cost to get our mechanic certified to work on it, it might be the best option. Council Member Sablan asked for restrooms hours, staff replied 7 am to 10 pm every day.
Acct. Tech Olga Flores – We’ve had personnel helping individuals with outstanding utility bills, we have received checks for payments through the programs being offered. We had people on payment plans, any extra payment goes directly to the balance, no late fees are being charged.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Council Member Sablan and I attended a reception, working on grants, working with staff to get more information.
Council Member Lopez - nothing to report
Council Member Sablan – nothing to report
Council Member Valdez – asked legal presentation to attend council meeting, asked for Attorney’s evaluation under closed session at next meeting.
Council Member Perez – Fresno State – CTF will be at the Senior Center for low-income internet fees of $30 for qualifying individuals, tacos will be provided August 27, 2022, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Council Member Brady Jenkins – nothing to report
CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:36 pm by Council Member Sablan, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.