MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-08-05
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: August 5, 2024/5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order by Mayor Lopez at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Elsa Lopez
Council Member Silvia Renteria
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Felipe Pérez
ABSENT Mayor Pro-Temp Freddy Valdez
OTHERS: City Attorney Christina Di Filippo; City Manager, Ben Gallegos, Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; Public Works Director, Michael Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; Gouveia Engineering Rep., Roberto Orozco; Raquel Tabares, Nancy Avila, Fidel Avila & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Public Works Director M. Molina led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Mayor’s Certificate of Appreciation and recognize Alfredo Arambula.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kyle Savage, Field Representative for Congressman John Duarte in the Madera-Fresno Counties. The Congressman wishes to address Vally Fever and the cases in the valley, he is dedicated to improving testing and treatment, along with his colleagues: David Valado, Michelle Steel, Juan Ciscomani, David Schweikert, and Jim Costa by submitting a letter to US Food and Drug Commissioner, urging the administration to include Valley Fever in an existing list of tropical diseases, and to assist individuals that qualify by providing anyone approved vouchers for treatment.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on July 15, 2024.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 24-40 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
CONCERNING MEASURE C EXTENSION LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PURPOSE PASS-THROUGH AND PROGRAM FUNDS ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR FY 2024-2025.
Motion to approve consent calendar by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
3. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH’S CONSIDERATION OF THE 2024 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) APPLICATION AND REVIEW OF ELIGIBLE ACTIVITES/PROJECTS.
Public Hearing was open at 5:33 pm – no comment given – Close Public Hearing at 5:34 pm.
Motion to approve application submittal by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Perez; motion passed by 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
August 5, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
4. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS A POTENTIAL SOLAR PROJECT.
Motion to approve and proceed with the proposed project by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Perez; motion passed by 4-1 vote. Renteria – no.
5. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS RESOLUTION NO. 08- 33 – ESTABLISHING A POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR THE SELECTION OF THE MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM.
Information item only, no direction or no action taken.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE BUDGET.
Information item only, direction to draft a resolution to create a budget line item to save for proposed future restrooms at Dunkle Park, or no action taken.
STAFF REPORTS
Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – included in agenda packet, no additional information to report. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Attended water rescue training. Police Chief Sal Raygoza – included in agenda packet, no additional information to report. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Had a meeting with school Superintendent regarding the K-9, Mr. Mendiola stated the school can’t share the K-9 with the city, the school will need a K-9 dedicated to school only. Roberto Orozco, Gouveia Engineering - HWY 33 Beautification Project update, has a meeting scheduled with Caltrans. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Individuals that are interested in running, can file their candidacy forms with Fresno County at the elections office.
City Attorney, Christina Di Filippo – Nick Matoian will attend the next council meeting in place of Christina.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS – Council Member Valdez requested the restroom to be placed on the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM ONLY
Motion to enter closed session @ 6:04 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
7. Government Code Section 54957
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION: City Manager
Motion to enter open session @ 6:59 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION: Nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn @ 7:02 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.