MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 23/03-06
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: March 6, 2023/6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Mayor Perez at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Felipe Pérez
Mayor Pro Tem Elsa Lopez
Council Member Freddy Valdez
Council Member Silvia Renteria
Council Member Brady Jenkins
ABSENT:
OTHERS: City Attorney James McCann; City Manager Ben Gallegos; Deputy Clerk, Rita Lozano; Public Works Director, Michael Molina; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Fire Chief John Borboa; City Clerk, Amanda Fleming; City Engineer, Mario Gouveia; Hector Marin, Kenia Cruz, Forrest Medley, Raymundo Gamino, Salus Gamino, Antonio Verduzco, Felipe Cortes, Efren Mendoza, Maria Mendoza, Fernando Campa, Christian Gutierrez, Maria Gutierrez, Graciela Troncoso, Lupe T., Juan Ramirez, Manuel Ramos, Lorenzo Torre, Roberto Andrade, Juan Trejo& others.
INVOCATION: Pastor Bob of FIREBAUGH-MENDOTA METHODIST CHURCH PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Valdez led pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENTATION: None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on February 6, 2023.
Motion to pulled agenda #12 of the minutes from February 6, 2023, by Council Member Valdez. Council Member Valdez stated his concern with the announcement of agenda #12 at the meeting being different from the presented minutes. City Attorney reported the presented minutes reflects the legal/proper action taken by council at the meeting, according to further research of Robert’s Rules of Order. Deputy City Clerk added, “Minutes are not official until Council approves them.
Motion to approve minutes by council member Lopez, second Council Member Renteria; minutes failed by a 2-3 vote.
Council Members Valdez, Jenkins & Perez – voted no.
PUBLIC HEARING: None
Motion to move agenda item #6 before agenda # 2 and other items by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
Motion to take a recess to relocate meeting to accommodate the present residents @ 6:29 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 4-1 vote. Lopez – no.
Motion to continue to open meeting @ 6:39 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
March 6, 2023
NEW BUSINESS
6. UPDATE ON ORDINANCE NO. 21-04 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH REPEALING SECTIONS 9-1.1, 9-1.2, 9-1.3, AND 9-1.4 OF CHAPTER 9 [TRAILERS AND TRAILER PARKS] OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, REPLACING THE HEADING OF CHAPTER 9 WITH THE TITLE “MOBILE HOME PARKS ACT”, AND ADDING SECTIONS 9-1.1 THROUGH 9-1.11 RELATING TO
THE ASSUMPTION OF RESPONSIBILITY OF ENFORCING THE MOBILE HOME PARKS ACT AND SPECIAL OCCUPANCY PARKS ACT OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE.
Police Chief Raygoza, along with several residents stated their concerns, problems and issues with the City taking over from the State, Code Enforcement matters.
Motion to not continue with the second reading of Ord. No. 21-04 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
Motion to take a recess to relocate meeting to council chambers @ 7:27 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Renteria, motion passed by 4-1 vote. Lopez – no.
Motion to continue to open meeting @ 7:35 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
2. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER USE OF THE RODEO GROUNDS AND
WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES BY FIREBAUGH-MENDOTA METHODIST CHURCH, FOR A DINNER DANCE ON MARCH 18, 2023.
Motion to approve waive of fees, and provide a list required items for facility use, such as: Certificate of Insurance, processing fee, cleaning deposit, alcohol License from Alcohol Beverage Control were announced by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 3-2 vote. Council Members Renteria & Valdez – voted no.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 23-07 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPOINTMENT OF CITY MEMBERS TO THE SPECIAL CITY SELECTION COMMITTEE OF THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-07 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 23-08 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH OPPOSING INITIATIVE 21-0042A1, LIMITS ABILITY OF VOTERS AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAISE REVENUES FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-08 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 23-09 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT TO TERRA WEST CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE 22/23
CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS AND STREET REHABILITATION PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-09 by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS THE DEDICATION OF THE FIREBAUGH FIRE DEPARTMENT TO THE BORBOA FAMILY.
Motion to rescind vote from the previous meeting by Council Member Renteria, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by 5-0 vote. Council’s direction is to present a dedication plaque at a future meeting.
City Council Minutes
March 6, 2023
8. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS THE SELECTION OF A SOLAR COMPANY FOR THE NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE STATION AND VFW HALL.
Presentations by Syserco Energy Solutions, the presenting companies addressed Inc. & SitelogIQ’s Central Valley Local Government Energy Team and any questions or comments.
Consensus of the Council is to proceed with SitelogIQ’s.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – property vandalism is no longer a problem, four vehicle thefts on the northside of town. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – waiting to strip the street as Council Member Perez requested until better weather allows. Street Sweeper is down but should be operating again soon, Eppler’s will place a bid, staff has been monitoring the levees and water release flows & helping with change orders at the new Police Station, to save costs. Zozaya improvements scheduled to be complete by mid-month depending on the weather. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – attending Public Works Conference held by the League of Cities, working on the solar project. Provided staff lunch for Employee Appreciation Day on Friday, invoice should be on next statement. City Engineer Mario Gouveia – bids for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project were higher than Engineer’s Report, city will seek additional funding, project will be in the millions. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Las Deltas School District is requesting a joint meeting, please RSVP to me as soon as possible. Submit your Form 700 before the deadline to avoid fines, members that have served on COG committees, need to complete a Form 700 for each committee served.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – hoping to present audit report March 20th, working on the budget for next Fiscal Year, attended a conference with Acct Tech Flores at the end of January. I would like to take a different staff member for training. City Attorney, James McCann – nothing to report.
Council Member Lopez – nothing to report.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
Motion to enter close session at 9:16 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
9. Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) - Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation Significant Exposure to Litigation - One potential case
10. Government Code Section 54957.6.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS: ALL REPRESENTED & UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES City Negotiator: Ben Gallegos
Employee Organizations: Police & Public Works bargaining units and all unrepresented positions.
Motion to enter open session at 11:55 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION: No action taken, nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 11:57 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.