SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-08-26
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: August 26, 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
ABSENT Council Member Felipe Pérez
OTHERS: City Manager, Ben Gallegos, Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; Public Works Director, Michael Molina; Celeste Cave, Joel Saldana, Josefina Mora, Joe Baez, Claudia Gutierrez, & 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 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Julie Wiggins, “A volunteer of 5 years at the animal shelter reported a situation of two newborn puppies that died at failures of various city departments including the PD and Public Works, there was no communication, and proper protocols were not followed. As a result, a zoom meeting was held with Janet, City Manager, Public Works Director & I.
During this meeting we expressed this was a severe incident, but I was incredibly embarrassed this was a rescue that I work with, and it reflected badly on me, the city and the organization. Other concerns were reported during the zoom meeting. A dog was at the facility that the organization wasn’t not aware of. An email was sent to the City Manager and Police Chief regarding my concerns. We received a notification from Mr. Molina stating that the pound was closed to volunteers as of Saturday. I believe that is unprofessional and unethical. I spoke with Janet and we both believe that the donor should not be spending over $200,000 on an animal shelter and will probably be having that discussion with him.
The questions were asked how the puppies died. Mrs. Wiggins stated three females’ dogs were picked up placed in the olde shelter because the temporary shelter was full, and the organization was unaware of them. Volunteers took dogs those three and two other large dogs to a rescue in the bay area. Two days later we were notified three new puppies were born, one was already dead, the other two were alive but one died at the rescue, one is still alive.” A local resident has helped the city in the past to get several dogs from a resident to other dog rescues, it’s my uncle who is wanting to donate the shelter. I’m here in Firebaugh, I was one of the original volunteers of this group, I don’t want to be involved but it is highly embarrassing. I’ve had multiple rescues drop us, because they’ve come out and seen what the shelter looks like. A resident complained about a water leak at the housing authority, noticed it on Thursday and was still running on Saturday.
Two city workers were at the leak on Sunday, I asked if they would fix it, and replied they couldn’t (It’s private property), but they did report it. I asked them to report it to their boss. Four days the water ran and I received a letter the water is going to increase.
NEW BUSINESS
1. RESOLUTION 24-44 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT TO STEVE DOVALI CONSTRUCTION, INC. FOR THE
CITY OF FIREBAUGH LAS DELTAS WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS-HUD TANK REPLACEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 24-44 by Council Member Valdez, second Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by 4-0 vote.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn @ 5:57 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Renteria, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.