MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 22/09-19
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: September 19, 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 Elsa Lopez
Council Member Freddy Valdez
Mayor Pro Tem Felipe Pérez 6:38 pm
ABSENT: Council Member Marcia Sablan
OTHERS: City Attorney James McCann; City Manager Ben Gallegos; Deputy Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; Fire Chief, John Borboa; City Engineer, Mario Gouveia; Gouveia Engineering; Public Works Director, Michael Molina; City Planner, Karl Schoettler; Marc Benjamin (Brian Pacheco’s Office), MLG, Chris D, Hector Marin & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Lopez led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 3-0 vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT None
PRESENTATION None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on August 15, 2022.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting August 1 and ending on August 31, 2022.
August 2022 General Warrants #43105 - #43287 $ 1,773,398.77 Payroll Warrants #71837 - #71855 $ 143,636.00
TOTAL $ 1,917,034.77
3. RESOLUTION NO. 22-41 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AUTHORIZING USE OF EMERGENCY REMOTE TELECONFERENCING PROVISIONS.
Council Member Lopez stated concern of warrants totaling over $1 Million almost $2 Million and caution staff on their spending which many lead to problems later, we shouldn’t be spending because we have it, we may not have it later.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 3-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
September 19, 2022
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 22-42 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT TO VSS INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE 22/23
SLURRY SEAL PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-42 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 3-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 22-43 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE FOR DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-43 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 3-0 vote.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 22-44 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH REINSTATING WATER SERVICE DISCONTINUATION FOR DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS.
Motion to approve Res. No. 22-44 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 3-0 vote.
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE CHAPTER 25 (SECTION ON THE SIGN ORDINANCE) OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE BOOK Mayor asked a presentation to be placed on the October 17, 2022, agenda for review. • Council Member Perez joined the meeting at 6:38 pm via Webex.
STAFF REPORTS
Fire Chief John Borboa – nothing to report.
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – Crime has been quiet, attended a couple of trainings on SB2, which has new requirements for hiring and firing of Police Officers, working with comcast to relocate equipment for the new Police Station. Code Enforcement officers have been busy, we’re hoping to do a presentation in October or November on some of the issues. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – had a couple of water leaks, working with Mario on future projects, construction to begin in spring when we have better weather, the carnival is next week, so we’re working on that. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – working with Craig Knight on assist four businesses that interested in developing their businesses in town. Attending a meeting with San Joaquin Air Pollution on the 26th, attending a breakfast event hosted by the Habitat for Humanity, they’ll be taking over the San Joaquin Villas Project to complete and construct the remaining builds. The deed has been transferred. Attended the League of Cities annual event, the training was very helpful, as well as networking with peers from other cities. Council Member Valdez and I had a meeting with City Attorney James. There are several grants available, but we also have been awarded several grants, so staff has been very busy. Attended meetings with Mario regarding the flood issues along the San Joaquin River, and did an interview with New York Times, since the publishing, we’ve received information about available grants that may help us, we’ll be attending a meeting October 17th in Sacramento.
City Council Minutes
September 19, 2022
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Multi-flood feasibility study in completed, the final report was submitted to the State for review. Most of the study consist of flood reduction, recreation and environmental elements, City priorities are Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water Plant, and the Riverbank erosion because flooding & recreation concerns mostly, very little environmentally purposes are a small matter. Some grant funding is available, city applied last year but was not awarded, the total repairs are estimated at about $146 million, the best option is to apply to grant funding in phases, the last grant and project done along the river was in 2015, it was about $1 million dollar project. Projects today will be much more expensive. City Manager Gallegos added grant funding is also available for drought purposes, just being present at some of the meeting, when invited has made a difference. Working on this project will help the city be prepared for future flooding & possibly avoid a future flood. Engineer Gouveia stated DWR has been very helpful with this process. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – received an email from Las-Deltas School Board, requesting a joint meeting with City Council to be held on October 6, 2022, at the Firebaugh High School at 6:00 pm, please let me know if you are available.
Council Members Lopez, Jenkins, Valdez, and Perez confirmed their availability for the meeting. City Attorney, James McCann – Attorney James Sanchez will be returning, and thanked council, staff and public for the opportunity to work with the City of Firebaugh.
Council Member Lopez - nothing to report
Council Member Sablan – nothing to report
Council Member Perez – nothing to report
Council Member Valdez – reported a briefing of the topics, speakers, training, and classes he attended at the League of Cities, it was very impressing, inspiring, and helpful. Council Member Brady Jenkins – nothing to report
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 6:51 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.