MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 23/12-18
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: December 18, 2023/6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Mayor Perez at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tem Elsa Lopez
Council Member Freddy Valdez
Council Member Brady Jenkins
ABSENT: Mayor Felipe Pérez, Council Member Silvia Renteria
OTHERS: City Attorney Christina Di Filippo; City Manager, Ben Gallegos, Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Public Works Director, Michael Molina; Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin, & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Jenkins led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 3-0 vote.
PRESENTATION - None
REORGANIZATION
1. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL.
A. New Mayor Elsa Lopez
B. New Mayor Pro-Temp Freddy Valdez
PUBLIC COMMENT Amanda Fleming, asked everyone to please check out the movie” Leave the World Behind.”
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on December 4, 2023.
3. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting November 1 and ending on November 30, 2023.
November 2023 General Warrants #45119 - #45224 $ 855,944.48 Payroll Warrants #72149 - #72178 $ 226,949.67
TOTAL $ 1,082,894.15
4. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2024 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE.
5. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2024 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE.
6. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2024 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT.
Motion to accept consent calendar with the amendment to minutes of December 4, 2023 - change motion to enter closed session by Council Member Sablan to Council Member Valdez and open session from Council Member Sablan to Council Member Perez by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 3-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
December 18, 2023
PUBLIC HEARING
7. ORDINANCE NO. 23-02 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AMENDING SECTION 4-2.6.1 OF THE FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ITINERANT BUSINESSES – FIRST READING.
Public Hearing open at 6:09 pm – no comment given - close hearing at 6:10 pm.
Motion to waive the first reading of Ord. No. 23-02 by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 3-0 vote.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 23-51 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING BUSINESS LICENSE FEES AND ITINERATE BUSINESS LICENSE FEES.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-51 with an amendment of $500 fee annually for local itinerant business, all other fees remain the same by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 3-0 vote.
OLD BUSINESS
9. REVIEW AND CONSIDER A WATER / WASTWATER RATE STUDY COMPLETED BY TUCKFIELD & ASSOCIATES.
Motion to approve and proceed with Prop 218 process by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 3-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
10. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE ELEMENT 7.
Motion to approve Element 7 proposal and waive the distribution fees by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Lopez; motion passed by 3-0 vote.
11. RESOLUTION NO. 23-52 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING A 5% INCREASE IN THE BASE ANNUAL SALARY OF CITY MANAGER BENJAMIN GALLEGOS BASED ON 2023 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND APPROVING A 3% BONUS PAYMENT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-52 by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Lopez; motion passed by 2- 1 vote. Jenkins – No.
12. RESOLUTION NO. 23-53 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING A LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION (CALTRANS) AND THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH RELATED TO IMPROVEMENTS ALONG STATE ROUTE 33.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-53 by Council Member Jenkins, second Council Member Valdez; motion passed by 3-0 vote.
13. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE TIME CHANGE OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
Motion to change the meeting time from 6:00 pm to 5:00 pm and adjust the 2024 schedules to reflect a new time by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Lopez; motion passed by 3-0 vote. Motion to enter Successor Agency business at 7:17 pm.
City Council Minutes
December 18, 2023
SUCCESSOR AGENCY MATTERS
14. RESOLUTION NO. 23-54 - A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FIREBAUGH
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR JULY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET FOR JULY 1, 2024, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2025.
Motion to approve Res. No. 23-54 by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 3-0 vote.
15. HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY SENATE BILL 341 ANNUAL REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-23.
Informational items only.
Motion to enter City Council business at 7:17 pm.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – it’s been one week at our new location, invited council members to make an appointment for a tour of the new police station. Made a call for service twice to have working phones. Mayor Lopez asked about a Caltrans bill and camera system. Chief Raygoza reported half the camera system is working and it has been useful in detecting a stolen sign.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – going after grant funds, Council Member Renteria sent her apologies for not being able to attend luncheon and serving, and asked if anyone can attend to serve staff at the luncheon. Every year each department has their own Christmas lunch separately, so City Hall will be closed at 1:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 21st. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – working on daily operation, putting in a new playground at Dunkle Park, scheduled to be shipped by the end of January. Holding a bid opening on Thursday for the dance area of Dunkle Park is estimated to cost about $130,000 to $170,000. Wanted to give a big thanks to the PD Dispatchers, with all the issues they had, they stepped up and did a great job.
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – received (12) twelve new breathing apparatus equipment, the guys are very excited with the new equipment. Fire Chief Molina stated that the are a high-pressure system, with speakers so the fire fighters can hear each other and breathe better. The department has our own system to refill the breathing apparatus. Finance Director, Pio Martin – starting to work on the audit, won’t be ready until February, reminder, city will start collecting late fees Jan. 1st.
City Attorney, Christina Di Filippo – nothing to report. City Clerk – Amanda Fleming – wished everyone a Merry Christmas, stated, “I know I come off strong but just passionate.”
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – will provide training for the staff & Council Members that missed the AB1234, Form 700 are due April 1, 2024, some of you may need to submit multiple Form 700 to different agencies. Council Member, Jenkins – nothing to report.
Council Member Valdez – will not be able to attend the staff luncheon, will be attending a funeral. Council Member Lopez – will not be able to attend the staff luncheon.
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn@ 7:40 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passes by a 3-0 vote.