MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-09-16
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: September 16, 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, Mario Gouveia; Raquel Tabares, Isidro Vasquez, Veronica Navarro & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Valdez led pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Terry Ogle, Executive Director of Fresno County Transportation Agency to provide a Measure C Update. • Firebaugh Community Connectivity and Downtown Revitalization Study. • Presentation and Recognition to Stamoules Produce Company for their donation towards K-9 Program.
PUBLIC COMMENT
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on August 19, 2024.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council Special meeting on August 26, 2024.
3. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting August 1 and ending on August 31, 2024.
August 2024 General Warrants #46330 - #46493 $ 1,564,316.16 Payroll Warrants #72323 - #72 341 $ 168,468.31
TOTAL $ 1,732,784.47
Motion to approve consent calendar by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Valdez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
City Council Minutes
September 16, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 24-45 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH SIGALA, INC. FOR INFILL DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING SERVICES AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR DOWNTOWN FIREBAUGH, REAP 2.0 AND AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 24-45 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 24-46 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING CERTAIN CITY PROPERTY AS SURPLUS EQUIPMENT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 24-46 by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS DOG KENNEL UPDATE.
STAFF REPORTS
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Good news, the planning committee approved the tentative amp for a proposed new housing development, about 120 homes near Diaz Street. It will be a busy week next with the carnival. Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – Nothing to report. Police Chief Sal Raygoza – Nothing to report.
Marion Gouveia, City Engineering – Update on HWY33, driveways are done, so some driveway approaches will be open for access to businesses and residences.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Will be out the office between Sept. 23 to Sept. 27, 20024. Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Nick Matoian – Council Member Renteria at the last meeting asked Attorney to work an anticamping ordinance, legal counsel is working on drafting an ordinance, based on what other cities have done and are working on synthesizing and meshing various ordinances together, expected to provide a drafted copy to police chief within next 2 weeks.
Council Member Jenkins - Nothing to report.
Council Member Renteria – Informed Public Works they’re doing a great job at the dog pound. I’ve received updates and want them to know the council is hearing the staff and don’t want volunteers to taking thing out on staff that should be to council. If they have issues they should bring to council and not taking it out on staff, staff didn’t sign up for that and we need to take into consideration what the staff is going through and what is being reported, because the are working in the heat and maintaining the dog kennel. I just want to make sure we take care of our staff.
Council Member Valdez – As Mr. Terry Ogle mentioned Measure C had a project that the didn’t proceed with, so funds are available and asked how it can be used in our local area to be used with HWY 33. They are considering passing lanes between Firebaugh to Mendota, and Mendota to Kerman. Even with proposed passing lanes, there is still possible funding available to our communities. The city is presenting projects that lead to HWY 33, and other projects that need improvement such as: Diaz St., 13th and N St., so there’s a lot of different areas the city can use the funds to access HWY 33, so we’re looking forward to capturing the dollars and keeping the on the westside. The city had the grand opening of the outdoor equipment, it was a great partnership with the Girl scouts, along with some City Council Minutes
September 16, 2024
local businesses to raise the funds. The city is one of 5% that access these types of grants. It’s a wonderful addition to our trail. Overall goal is to continue bringing great opportunities and collaborations to community. Council Member Perez – Thank the city, they helped with having an event at the Senior Center with EYI for free air purifier program for residents. Friday, 10 people attended and Saturday, 20 people attended, they all applied for free purifiers on Valley.org, everyone that lives in this area can apply, available for the next 6 to 8 weeks. Asked the City Manager for an update on “buy local “campaign. City Manager reported, staff is promoting the program with posters, and Facebook, Council Member requested about the raffle from businesses, but businesses stated they’re struggling a little bit and aren’t able to donate at this time. Council Member Perez asked for more promotion for the campaign. Council Member Perez asked about the city sidewalk space in Del Rio, people have been asking if the city can go clean. City Manager replied five feet, there’s some safe route to school and CMAQ funding. may be available. Public Works was asked to open water hydrant for two or three minutes, because Biola flushed their hydrant, everything was working fine, and six months later there was an issue that cost them over $60,000. City Manager replied the city checks our hydrants in the winter when water usage is low to avoid added stress to the water plants /system when all of the industrial users are in season. Council Member Lopez – Want to report some good news, Ben & I meet with the Housing Authority about a month ago regarding a rumor the Boys and Girls Club possibly not receiving their funding from the Housing Authority, so we met with them this pass week at the Boy & Girls Club, which isn’t really efficient for them. We walk to the Housing Authority’s old office, which they aren’t currently using, and they were able to work an arrangement out and move the Boys & Girls Club into that office Housing Authority. Everyone was happy and provides more space for the club. The Boys and Girls Club was really excited, the Housing Authority happy that the building wasn’t just sitting vacant. I’m looking forward to their ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome more kids.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS – None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM ONLY
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION:
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn @ 6:55 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.