MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-11-04
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: November 4, 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 Brady Jenkins
Council Member Felipe Pérez
ABSENT Council Member Silvia Renteria
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, Linda Espinoza, Isidro Vasquez, Veronica Navarro & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Council Member Jenkins moved to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Council Member Valdez. The motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Assessor-Recorder CPA, Mr. Paul Dictos to present the newly implemented Fresno County Property Owners Protection Alert (FCPOPA) system. Item was tabled. • Police Department Taser 7 and Axon Body Camera provide a presentation on the new equipment.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ernesto Martinez asked if about possible changes to the Maldonado Park future plans, and what is the city currently doing right now. Staff replied, the park is being re-planted/seeded. Resident inquired about the location of the proposed soccer field and will there be any improvements to the softball fields. Staff answered, “No, softball fields will stay the same.” Linda Espinoza asked if it is possible to spruce up or add more decorations to the Christmas wreathes that are put on the streetlights. Is it just the Christmas committee that are allowed to make decisions? Community individuals would like to donate or help with the Christmas tree also. The trunk or treat turned out very well. Firebaugh Resident asked about the soccer field that is closed right now, will there be improvements to the current field because it looks at its worst. Public Works Director responded, the department leveled the field but can’t keep people off it, so they are causing more ware and tear to the field. It would require people to stay off the field until February to completely repair the field, but staff continues to keep trying.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on October 24, 2024.
Council Member Jenkins moved to approve the Consent Calendar, which was seconded by Council Member Valdez. The motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
City Council Minutes
November 4, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
2. RESOLUTION NO. 24-50 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES WITH RETAIL STRATEGIES, LLC.
Council Member Jenkins moved to approve Resolution No. 24-50, which was seconded by Council Member Valdez. The motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 24-51 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ESTABLISHING A DECREASE FOR THE COST OF SEWER SERVICES.
Council Member Valdez moved to approve Resolution No. 24-51, which was seconded by Council Member Perez.
The motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
4. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH BUDGET UPDATE – QUARTER 1 REVIEW.
Informational Item only.
5. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH CALTRANS UPDATE.
Informational Item only, Caltrans proposed to close sections of the roads two blocks at a time over a time frame of 55 hours to complete road construction. Due to colder weather conditions project may be postponed to springtime to complete project, if necessary.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH STREET SWEEPER SCHEULDE UPDATE.
Informational Item only, Time change from 6:00 am to 7:00 am, will post on website and inform residents.
STAFF REPORTS
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia - Nothing to report.
Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – Fire Department and Police Dept. held a trunk or treat on Halloween Day, has about 300 kids or more attend, and were also provided hotdogs and nachos. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Attended Red Ribbon week at the schools. It was the department’s first trunk or treat and it was very successful.
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – Officer Lee Pao Xiong passed motorcycle school on his first try; it was a two-week class. Department was able to order a new motorcycle from Hollister which was funded through a grant. The grant will fund $50,000 for overtime and $40,000 for other motorcycle expenses. Department will apply for a new grant in December.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Christina Di Filippo – Nothing to report. Council Member Valdez – Asked to invite students to McDonald’s Grand Opening? Staff informed, McDonald’s is hosting and organizing their event, city representatives are merely invited to attend and aren’t participants in the planning of this event.
Council Member Perez – Reported water leaks at the community garden, and plots are being fixed for kids to plant.
City Council Minutes
November 4, 2024
Council Member Jenkins – Inquired why all of the hydrants were all open at the same time. Staff replied, as you’ll recall Council asked staff to flush the hydrants at a previous meeting. We stated we would once the harvest season was over. We have a fairly new crew, and they opened all of the hydrants at the same time which lowered the city’s water pressure, but they were informed to open a few at a time in the future.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn @ 6:49 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.