MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-08-19
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: August 19, 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
Mayor Pro-Temp Freddy Valdez
Council Member Silvia Renteria
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Felipe Pérez
ABSENT
OTHERS: City Attorney Nick Matoian; 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, & 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 Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Raul Garcia provided a presentation regarding California Pesticide Reform (CPR), how pesticides can drift for miles and weeks after application and are often highly hazardous and toxic to humans, which is a major issue in the central valley that in mostly ag communities. Studies have shown that prenatal exposure to tiny amounts of pesticides over time is links to higher incidences of nerve damage, ADHD, IQ loss, Autism, lung damage and cancers. As a result, Pesticides laws or regulations have been put in place, No drift-prone pesticides are allowed within ¼ mile of schools between 6AM through 6PM, and dozens of school districts and several cities have Roundup bans on public property.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Isidro Vasquez, lives on Cardiel, reported when planes fly over the homes in that area to spray, it seems like they don’t close their hatch on time, because the debris and chemicals are getting dropped on the homes and cars, the chemicals are killing the flowers and plants at the homes. The planes mostly fly or spray at night, when the fly over our homes. Raul Garcia with CPR added residents can report and contact the Ag Commission to report this issue, any drift of the chemicals is illegal.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on August 5, 2024.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting July 1 and ending on July 31, 2024.
Julu 2024 General Warrants #46152 - #46329 $ 1,246,095.62 Payroll Warrants #72308 - #72322 $ 111,284.70
TOTAL $ 1,357,380.32
3. RESOLUTION NO. 24-43 - A RESOLUTION OF CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDING AND THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT AGREEMENT AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO FROM THE 2024 FUNDING YEAR OF THE STATE CDBG PROGRAM.
Motion to approve consent calendar by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2024
PUBLIC HEARING
4. RESOLUTION NO. 24-41 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCY ADOPTING THE DELTA-MENDOTA SUBBASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN.
Public Hearing was open at 5:53 pm – Jarrett Martin provided a brief update on this matter and answered all questions, he stated the City of Firebaugh is one city of 23 agencies. City wanted to maintain our own water wells and maintain all of our water supply; GPS lists requirements the city is taking to do things sustainably. A resident asked the relationship to the previously mentioned water increase rates and this agenda item. City Manager replied this are two separate matters, if this resolution isn’t approved the state will determine how much water the city is allotted. Council Member Renteria asked if Mr. Martin see any concerns at the wells. Mr. Martin replied, yes, from a water quality perspective, absolutely. Council Member Renteria inquired if the city should react now before the issue is more serious or has to counter react. Mr. Martin stated there no pending fire in a matter of years, but it will be in a matter of decades, or within the next 10 years there should be a study. – Close Public Hearing at 6:01 pm.
Motion to approve application submittal by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Perez; motion passed by 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
5. RESOLUTION NO. 24-42 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF SB1/MEASURE C PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH FRESNO
COUNTY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE FINAL PAYMENT OF RETENTION MONIES TO HENSLEY’S PAVING & GENERAL ENGINEERING, INC.
Motion to approve Res. No. 24-42 by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Perez; motion passed by 4-1 vote. Jenkins – no.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH – POLICE CHIEF RAYGOZA TO PROVIDE UNDATE ON UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS.
Information item only, no direction or no action taken.
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS RESTROOMS AT DUNKLE PARK ENCLOSED AREA.
Motion to approve allocating future impact fee for the proposed new Dunkle Park Restroom at the enclosed area by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Perez; motion passed by 5-0 vote.
STAFF REPORTS
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – Department has been busy, served several warrants, dog did a great job detecting drugs, there’s an open vacant full-time officer position, so the department will go to the academy to start recruiting. Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – Nothing to report. Mayor Pro Temp Valdez asked about draining the hydrants, because there have been complaints about milky water. Molina replied, the department will drain hydrants during the off-peak water use season, the milky looking water means there is air in the line. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Department participated in National Night Out, everyone had a good time. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Good departments did a great job, the kids were excited to received fire hats. Council may need to hold a special meeting regarding the HUD Tank. An email was sent to Council inviting them to Habitat for Humanity luncheon September 18 at 11:00 am, please reply if you plan on attending.
City Council Minutes
August 19, 2024
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
Roberto Orozco, Gouveia Engineering – Attended a COG meeting with Ben to seek additional funding for the HWY 33 Beautification and received the funding so the city can reinstate the lights to project. City Attorney, Nick Matoian – Nothing to report.
Council Member Jenkins - Nothing to report.
Council Member Renteria – Thanked the PD and Fire Departments for National Night Out, it was a great event. Would like to have an update on the Dog Kennel project. City Manager replied, he and the Molina had a meeting with them today, they didn’t like the proposed design, so they requested more windows, so were waiting for the plans. Once we received the plans, it will be submitted to the Building Department for review and approval, before we can move forward.
Council Member Valdez – I would like to echo what Council Member Renteria said about National Night Out, it’s been a well-attended event and it’s grown, it’s not because of any other reason than your commitment of given back to the community. Thank the PD & Fire Departments so their hard work, please continue and let council know if there’ anything they can help with anything. Attended a few meetings in regard to a large Solar project that is happening in Westlands parcel. Assemblywomen is fighting for the public benefit part of it, the project will negatively impact our residents on the westside, it’s really important the westside cities remain united to fight for our communities’ benefits Council Member Perez – I missed Thursday event but would like to thank all of you for all the work you are doing.
Working together and would like to bring everyone together to the Market. Council Member Lopez – Raquel is doing a good job by working with Fresno County Library and Reading Hearts – a book donation program. They brought their mobile vehicle that has books, games, tv’s and other things for kids to do. A story is played on the tv, and books are outside if you want a book, I believe it’s a family ran trailer. Woman helping Woman also participated in the event, they’re a non-profit organization that works to prevent gender-based violence and empowers all survivors. Raquel Tabares that the Fire Department for working with and joining the Police Department for this event, about six bikes with helmets and six life preservation devices along with school supplies and backpacks were handed out to kids. Lieutenant Maldonado also donated additional bikes to give to the kids in our community, so a special thanks to him.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS – None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM ONLY
Motion to enter closed session @ 6:40 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
8. PROPERTY ACQUISITION – Pursuant to Government Code Section #54956.8 Designative City Rep. City Manager Ben Gallegos
Motion to enter open session @ 6:57 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION: Nothing to report.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn @ 6:58 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.