MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 24-12-16
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: December 16, 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 Christina Smith; 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 Rep., Roberto Orosco, RSG Rep., Jenny Benitz, Celeste Cave, Janet Yergat, Paige & Erik, Joel Saldana, Melanie Martinez, Melissa Martinez, Raquel Tabares, & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Perez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Council Member Valdez moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
1. RESOLUTION NO. 24-55 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
CANVASSING AND DECLARING THE RESULTS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024.
Council Member Valdez moved to approve Res. No. 24-55, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
2. SWEAR IN ELECTED OFFICIALS: Council Members Valdez, Jenkins and Lopez.
REORGANIZATION
3. REORGANIZATION OF CITY COUNCIL.
A. Mayor – New Mayor Valdez
B. Mayor Pro-Temp – New Mayor Pro Temp Renteria
PRESENTATION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Janet Yergat and Joel Saldana spoke about the Dog shelter. Issues of concern were the donation of the new animal shelter, the conditions and maintenance of the facilities, and the submitted request form asking for items to be placed on this agenda. They stated the volunteers have assisted with having housed over 100 dogs in the several years they’ve worked with the city, they are against euthanizing dogs and couldn’t in good faith ask the donor to donate the funds for the new shelter without some changes.
City Council Minutes
December 16, 2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on December 2, 2024.
5. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting November 1 and ending November 30, 2024.
November 2024 General Warrants #46838 - #46942 $ 691,803.53 Payroll Warrants #72396 - #72410 $ 172,554.22
TOTAL $ 864,357.75
6. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2025 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE.
7. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2025 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE.
8. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2025 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 24-56 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
None
The motion to enter the Successor Agency at 5:48 p.m. was made by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Lopez, and the motion was passed with a 5-0 vote.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY MATTERS
10. RESOLUTION NO. 24-57 - A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FIREBAUGH
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET FOR JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026.
Motion to approve Res. No. 24-57 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
11. HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY SENATE BILL 341 ANNUAL REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24.
Council Member Jenkins moved to approve SB341, which was seconded by Council Member Lopez. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
The motion to enter the City Council Meeting at 5:58 p.m. was made by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Lopez, and the motion was passed with a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
December 16, 2024
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – Nothing to report.
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Nothing to report.
Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – Nothing to report. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Nothing to report.
City Engineer, Roberto Orosco – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Christina Smith – Nothing to report.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Reminder Employee Appreciation is this Thursday. Council Members – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
None
Council Member Jenkins motioned to enter the closed session, which was seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote at 6:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
12. Negotiators - Government Code §54956.8. Property:
APNs 008-074-04, 18 & 19, located at O Street & 11th Street. City Negotiator: Ben Gallegos. Negotiating Parties:
Phillip Lien, N. F. Davis Drier and Elevator, Inc. Under Negotiation: terms of property purchase, including price.
13. Conference with Real Property Negotiators - Government Code §54956.8.
Property: APNs 008-072-06 located at O Street & 11th Street. City Negotiator: Ben Gallegos. Negotiating Parties:
Phillip Lien, N. F. Davis Drier and Elevator, Inc. Under Negotiation: terms of property purchase, including price.
14. Government Code Section 54957
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION: City Manager.
Council Member Jenkins motioned to enter the open session, which was seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote at 7:30 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
By a 4 -1 City Council vote, the City Manager received a neutral evaluation and will re-evaluate the City Manager in six months, the City Attorney will provide a written roadmap to the City Manager.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:31 pm by Council Member Valdez, and second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.