MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-11-18
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: November 18, 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
ABSENT Council Member Felipe Pérez
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; City Engineer Representative, Roberto Orozco, Isidro Vasquez, Fernando Campa & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Renteria led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Council Member Valdez moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on November 4, 2024.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 24-52 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FIREBAUGH APPROVING SEPARATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY AND ANTHONY FRIAS.
Council Member Jenkins moved to approve the minutes, pulled Res. No. 24-52 which was seconded by Council Member Valdez. Motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
Brief explanation was provided by the City Attorney, stating this agreement ends all claims with a $90,000 settlement to the officer, and is paid with the Police Department general fund.
Council Member Valdez moved to approves Res. No. 24-52 which was seconded by Council Member Jenkins.
Motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
City Council Minutes
November 18, 2024
NEW BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 24-53 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE RESIDENTIAL WATER DISCONTINUATION POLICY.
Council Member Valdez approves Resolution No. 24-53, which was seconded by Council Member Jenkins. The motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
STAFF REPORTS
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Commended city staff, McDonalds sent an email full of positive comments about all of the departments they worked with during the beginning to the end of the construction of their building, they stated staff was responsive, helpful and they had no incidents of vandalism or theft throughout the process, which is very rare. They gave a special thanks to Michael and Isabel, along with the outsourced inspection staff as the main contacts over the past 6 months. Working to set a joint meeting date with the VFW members regarding the lease.
Wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Thanksgiving. Mayor reported a leak at the VFW building, City Manager replied Public Works looked into it, it was the back flow device, and they turned off the irrigation. City Engineer Rep., Roberto Orozco - Provide updates on the following projects: HWY 33, city is working on the sidewalks, but project is being impacted by the lane closures from Caltrans project. Caltrans has another scheduled lane closure from 8th to 12th Street, businesses were notified this morning. Once the finish with closures, the city will continue with the sidewalk work for the beautification project. The city was able to get an additional half million in funding for streetlights to be installed but the Caltrans project is impacting the time schedule of the city project. Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – Mayor sent a picture of a damaged streetlight, Public Works Director repaired damaged light, by replacing the bolts to the base. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – department has new volunteers. Police Chief Sal Raygoza – working with the City Attorney on updating sections of the municipal code, Dog/animal policy, Code Enforcement, and unsheltered ordinance. City has about 11 unsheltered individuals. Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Nick Matoian – Nothing to report.
Council Member Renteria – inquired about the report on the motorcycle, asked if the chief will be looking for more motorcycle officers. Chief Raygoza reported Officer Lee Xiong is already certified, the motorcycle has been ordered, so department is waiting for it to be delivered to Hollister to pick it up. Chief will continue to seek funding to certify additional officers and plans to apply for an upcoming grant. Thanked Micheal and Isable once again on the positive feedback received from McDonalds company, you guys don’t go unseen or unheard, and I just wanted to thank you personally for all the work you guys are doing. Thanked the Police Dept. and Fire Dept. for the work on the trunk-or-treat event. It was great, there’s nothing better than to see our agencies working together and the community seeing that and giving them the opportunity to see talk with the departments, if we can continue having more events like that. Wish everyone a week of giving and thanks to everything you personally give thanks to. Council Member Valdez – I want to echo what Council Member Renteria said, in terms of Michael and Isable, but want to add the note, that the Officers really provided a safe working environment for them, once of the statements was that never in city, they have ever been in, have they never had vandalism at their work site, this is the only town were they had no vandalism. Those types of comments and of collaborations with our city staff is vital to the work that council dose when they attend conferences seeking new business opportunities and brining that up at the ICSC is vital in keeping these types of projects going. We are thankful for everything you guys do, and I’d like to wish everyone in the community and the staff a very Happy Thanksgiving, may you spend a lot of family time. Council Member Jenkins – nothing to report.
City Council Minutes
November 18, 2024
Council Member Lopez - I want to say Congratulations to us, and you all for want you guys do and want you to know that we appreciate everything you guys do.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
Council Member Renteria- look at the collection agency, if it’s worth it, and update on dog pound project.
Council Member Valdez – Christmas light decoration, is the city purchasing or updating them, city manager can report on staff report.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn @ 5:56 pm by Council Member Valdez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.