MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 23/08-21
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: August 21, 2023/6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Mayor Pro Perez at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Felipe Pérez
Mayor Pro Tem Elsa Lopez
Council Member Silvia Renteria
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Freddy Valdez
ABSENT:
OTHERS: City Attorney Christina Di Filippo; City Manager, Ben Gallegos, Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Public Works Director, Michael Molina; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; City Clerk, Amanda Fleming; Gouveia Engineering, Roberto Orozco, Ramiro Rodriguez & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Renteria led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Renteria, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Armin Garcia of Sien, Inc. – Firebaugh Community Solar & Battery Proposal • Bill Pham of Cenergy Solar
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on August 7, 2023.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting July 1 and ending on July 31, 2023.
July 2023 General Warrants #44581 - #44713 $ 1,834,800.68 Payroll Warrants #72064 - #72086 $ 160,318.50
TOTAL $ 1,995,119.18
Motion to approve consent calendar by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Renteria; motion passed by 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
August 21, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING
3. ORDINANCE NO. 23-01 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH, COUNTY OF FRESNO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 359, OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH,
RELATING TO THE CLASSIFICATION OF THE ZONE OF PARTICULAR PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY – SECOND READING.
Public Hearing open at 6:45 pm – no comment given - close hearing at 6:46 pm.
Motion to approve Ord. No. 23-01 by Council Member Lopez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 23-42 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
TO APPROVING AND RENEWING THE PROCLAMATION OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY ISSUED ON MARCH 11, 2023, BY THE FIREBAUGH DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND DECLARING A CONTINUING LOCAL EMERGENCY.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-42 by Council Member Lopez, second Council Member Valdez; motion passed by 5-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 23-43 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADOPTING POLICY AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO PAY FOR COUNCILMEMBERS’ HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS AND/OR MONTHLY SALARY AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 17-04.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-43 by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 4-1 vote. Lopez-abstained.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS CITY VOLUNTEER FORM AND BACKGROUND CHECK DISCLOSURE – AUTHORIZATION FORM.
Council Member Renteria recommend the following changes: 1) add Saturday and Sunday, 2) list who is in charge-name the supervisor/Department, 3) volunteers that are under the age of 18, parents must sign a waiver for the background, 4) list the term of service and 5) create a confidentiality form, approved by the consensus of the council.
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS CITY BUSINESS LICENSE FEES.
Informational item only.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – nothing to report.
Public Works Director, Michael Molina - The trail at the park is open, we will try to replace some of the tables, having interviews on Friday to fill vacant positions, and getting ready for the carnival. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin - Attended an event at the High School, recruited three students, and one adult, two adult volunteers have returned to the department, we have been busy with call outs. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Habitat for Humanity will hold an event, the city will have a table at the event. The Mayor Pro Temp and City Manager will attend with additional staff members since the City of Firebaugh will be showcased at their event. Lunch will be held at 11:30 am. Attended Brownsfield Conference in Detroit, it was very educational, and was unaware of all the services they provided, other than dealing with hazardous issues. Working on an ECAA loan to fund the solar project for the Fire Station and Police Department, funds will not be available for possibly another year.
City Council Minutes
August 21, 2023
Gouveia Engineering Rep. Roberto Orozco – CMAQ funding for sidewalk repairs, deadline is next month. 8Th Street and 9th Street alley improvement is complete just checking water meters for any issues. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – nothing to report.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – hoping to have a new recording system installed in the council chambers, we are still waiting for some of the equipment to come in.
City Attorney, Christina Di Filippo – Will host a happy hour for cities with the firm at the League of Cities. Council Member Lopez – Did an interview at the Habitat for Humanity event, was very nervous but did it. Council Member Renteria - asked PAL soccer was a success. Chief replied yes, had about 260kids turn our and sign up. PD is preparing for National Night Out. Inquired if the city is allowed to trim the trees along the trail, now that is open? Asked Hector Marin about the first aid and CPR class held for the fire department and how it went. Battalion Chief Marin responded, “Fire Chief Molina put it together for the fire department, so the volunteer fire fighter could be certified.”
Council Member Valdez – nothing to report.
Council Member Perez – asked the City Manager to find a “Buy Local” Program, like the previous one the city had in the past. City Manager Gallegos stated the previous ”Buy Local” program was funded by a grant. Council Member Jenkins exited the meeting at 7:20 pm.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
Motion to enter closed session at 7:51 pm by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Lopez; motion passed by 4-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
8. PENDING LITIGATION GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – one case
CSPA v. San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority et al. (Stanislaus Superior Court Case No. CV-20-001748) Motion to enter open session at 8:06 pm by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Lopez; motion passed by 4-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
No Action taken, no reportable action.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 8:07 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.