MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-10-21
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: October 21, 2024/5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting was 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 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; City Engineer, Mario Gouveia, Ernesto Martinez, Raquel Tabares, Veronica Navarro & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Jenkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Council Member Valdez moved to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Council Member Jenkins. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Veronica Navarro reported an issue with the time the street sweeper’s scheduled time at Valle De Paz, the street sweeper goes by so early in the morning, cars are still parked on the street so the sweeper can’t sweep, and that area needs it. She requested a time change from 6:00 am to possibly 8:00 am since most people leave for work or to take kids to school.
Mayor Lopez recommends switching the residents and business schedules to accommodate residents. Staff reported that downtown streets must be swept before business opening and operating hours, so a switch sweeper schedule isn’t an option.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on October 7, 2024.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting September 1 and ending on September 30, 2024.
September 2024 General Warrants #46494 - #46666 $ 1,015,018.56 Payroll Warrants #72342 - #72365 $ 219,210.27
TOTAL $ 1,234,228.83
Council Member Valdez moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which was seconded by Council Member Perez.
The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING None
NEW BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 24-49 - A RESOLUTION OF THE 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 Res. No. 24-49 by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
October 21, 2024
4. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW THE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AND THE VFW POST # 7380.
The consensus of the Council is to schedule a joint meeting with the VFW members to discuss the lease agreement, and recommended meeting on their regular scheduled meeting, the second Tuesday of the month.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – The City Attorney is working on an ordinance to address the unhoused. The department has been short-staffed, so Chief Raygoza and Police Sergeant M. Martinez are out on patrol, we only have one reserve officer.
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Reported on Saturday’s fire east of the pumps off the street, the wind blew the fire over to Knight’s property, spoke with the property owner and we were able to control it. There was a structure fire on Allardt and Clyde Fannon Streets, at Rev. Kantor’s building (Church) the fire is under investigation. Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – We made it through Toma Tek season, so we’ll start flushing hydrants soon. Doing repairs at Dunkle Park. The fire department chased fires all weekend, we have a new crew, that worked all day Saturday. We didn’t get home until almost 2:30 am, one structure was lost, but no other structure was lost. A family was having an event at their house across the street from the fire, and they were kind enough to invite all of the firefighters to eat after the fire was out. It was sad to see the church burn, it’s been a part of the community for several years, Fresno County Fire Department helped us out with this fire. Finance Director, Pio Martin – Council Member Renteria inquired about Quarterly reports, I will provide the report in November and report on the Carnival final financials. I will contact the Auditors to begin working on that. Council Member Renteria asked the Finance Director to provide an update on any revenue the city may be receiving. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – With the Mayor, attended a tour of the westside cities and attended CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy) along with representatives from Kerman, Reedley, and others.
Working with West Hills College broadband. An annual conference for EDC. Working on the 1.4% sewer reduction rates, but the Finance Director was attending a conference, so will bring next meeting. City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Provided an update on the HWY 33 Project, some landscape irrigation was damaged, but it will be fixed.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Christina Di Filippo – Nothing to report. Council Member Perez – Reported the last farmers market will be on Thursday, October 31, Halloween.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
Joint Meeting with VFW, Discuss Street Sweeper schedule and consider issuing citations violations to cars parked on the street during scheduled street sweeping days, Wastewater reduction rates.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn @ 6:29 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.