MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 25-01-06
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: January 6, 2025/5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order by Mayor Valdez at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Freddy Valdez
Mayor Pro Temp Silvia Renteria
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Felipe Perez
Council Member Elsa Lopez
ABSENT
OTHERS: City Attorney Christina Smith; City Manager, Ben Gallegos, Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Police Chief, Sal Raygoza; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; City Engineer Rep., Roberto Orosco, D. Borboa, Joel Saldana, Maria Cruz, Ernesto Martinez, Chris Gutierrez, Linda Espinoza, Stephanie Nunez, & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Jenkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to amend the agenda to table “Recognition of Sharanjit Singh and add Officers Recognition”, by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Billie Hansen, Recycling Programs Manager of Mid Valley Disposal to provide an annual update and present the Recycler of the Year award to the recipient “Antojitos Guanacos”. • Recognition of Sharanjit Singh for annual support of the Police Department toy giveaway. – Item Tabled • Swear-in Officer Jesus Molina, Reserve Officer Victor Albarran, and Dispatcher Angel Cruz.
PUBLIC COMMENT
E. Martinez reported the street sweeper didn’t come for two Saturdays, and when it did come it came by at 4 a.m. instead of the new time of 8 a.m. Santa Ceja complained about dogs being dumped at “T” Road, entering her neighborhood, destroying yards/landscape, and they’re making a mess. There are two big dogs and two little dogs, the little dogs seem to be more aggressive. Chris Gutierrez reported potholes at 12th St and Washoe near the bridge, there seems to be a lot so if the city can get them filled that would be great. Blanche an animal advocate her whole life stated that she has been following the law and respects everyone but explained cities are governed by Legislation and State laws, their hands are tied by the laws that come from the top level and trust the PD that often handles the animal control also have to follow the law. The concerns with stray animals are animal bites, insect infestation, and diseases, among other issues. I have animal traps that could assist in capturing the stray animals, if anyone would like to borrow them and say thank you to the volunteers. One focus to assist is micro-shipping but not all pet owners activate the chips.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on December 16, 2024.
Motion to approve the consent calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Renteria, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
January 6, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
2. ORDINANCE NO. 25-01 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH UPDATING LANGUAGE OF CHAPTER 6 ENTITLED ANIMAL REGULATIONS OF FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE – FIRST READING.
The Public hearing opened at 6:11 pm - Comments were provided by Joel Saldana, a volunteer at the animal shelter, along with comments of other volunteers, who submitted several comments in writing about city procedures of meetings, public forms and gave recommendations on the animal shelter, animal control, and public engagement.
Wanda Breshears inquired if feral cats were considered in the ordinance because she has a lot at her home. Staff replied, “Yes, all animals are covered in this ordinance”. Linda Espinoza reported there are a lot of cats at the Housing Authority, her mother feeds them, so they are multiplying. Linda added that she has taken in 11 cats at a time but knows the cats will continue to return if her mother feeds them. – Hearing closed at 6:20 pm.
Motion to continue the hearing to the next council meeting by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
3. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS THE APPOINTMENT OF THE CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER POSITIONS AND PROCESS.
The consensus of the council is to leave both positions vacant until the positions are needed to be filled.
STAFF REPORTS
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Christina Smith – Will provide online training for AB 1234 – Ethics, Sexual Harassment, Brown Act, and Public Records Act on January 24th.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
City Engineer Rep., Roberto Orosco – gave an update on HWY 33 Beautification project, and reported Caltrans will keep the two lanes closed.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos – The City will have a bike lane from Morris Kyle to Saipan, eastside to the northside, the construction will probably not continue until March 2025, because of the weather. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Last month PD allowed the FD to be a part of the toy giveaway, they had Santa there, and it was a great event.
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – We gave over 500 toys to about 500 kids at the giveaway, Ben was there for about three hours. We ran out of sweet bread and hot chocolate. I’m missing my staff report this week. Council Members – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Valdez – the topic of live streaming, sounds simple and we are not trying to hide anything.
Council Member Renteria – ICSC attendees going in February 2025 City Council Minutes
January 6, 2025
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
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 7:13 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
No action is to be reported at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:14 pm by Council Member Jenkins, and second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.