MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 25/02-03 ______________________________________________________________________ Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: February 3, 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-Tem Silvia Renteria
Council Member Felipe Perez
Council Member Elsa Lopez
ABSENT Council Member Brady Jenkins
OTHERS: City Attorney Christina Smith, City Manager Ben Gallegos, Deputy Clerk Rita Lozano, Finance Director Pio Martin, Police Chief Sal Raygoza, Battalion Chef Hector Marin, Public Works Director Michael Molina Moment of silence in honor of John Borboa and Rod Lake
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Freddy Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda, by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
x Swearing in of Reserve Officer Alex “AJ” Martinez. Alex said he was glad to serve in his community.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items listed on the calendar are considered routine and are acted upon by one motion unless any Council member requests separate action. Typical items include minutes, claims, adoption of ordinances previously introduced and discussed, execution of agreements and other similar items.
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council regular meeting on January 6, 2025.
Motion to approve the consent calendar by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
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 – CONTINUED READING.
The Public hearing opened at 5:41 p.m. - No comments from the public – Hearing closed at 5:42 p.m.
Motion to waive the first reading by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Renteria, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
Recommended Action: Council receives public comment & waives the first reading of Ord. 25-01. 5HWXUQWR$JHQGD
NEW BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 25-01 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO TERRA WEST CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $848,867.00 FOR THE FIREBAUGH ALLEY PAVING 2020, CML-5224(026) PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.
Motion to approve by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 25-02 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT TO EMMETT VALLEY CONSTRUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $273,602.00 FOR THE Q STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.
Motion to approve by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Renteria, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
5. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CITY
REPRESENTATIVE ATTENDING THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS (ICSC) CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, NV, MAY 18TH THRU MAY 20TH, 2025.
Motion to approve by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Renteria, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS THE VFW POST # 7380.
Motion to approve for City Manager to work out the P.G & E and negotiate contract by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER LIVE STREAM OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
The consensus of the council is to continue to research and update in future meetings.
STAFF REPORTS – Written and enclosed in the agenda packet. ¾ Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
¾ City Attorney, Christina Smith – Will be missing the March 3rd meeting due to starting a trial, Nick will likely be attending, and I should be back after that.
¾ Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
¾ Public Works Director MichDHl Molina - Thankful for the flowers and to PD for everything the City did for his father in law. February 6th FD will be in procession for Chief Borboa to the cemetery, the city will be covered by Fresno County at station here in the city responding to calls. ¾ City Engineer Rep., Roberto Orosco – HWY 33 is still in going. ¾ City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Reminder that he will not be here the rest of the week, due to a conference for City Managers. Starbucks was supposed to break ground but due to rain it will wait until next week. ¾ Battalion Chief, Hector Marin –February 06, 2025, is Chief Borboa’s funeral at 10:00 a.m. ¾ Police Chief Sal Raygoza – Nothing to report.
¾ Council Members – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro-Tem Renteria:
1. Would like to discuss what to do with the area between PD and FD, would like to see a memorial similar to what VFW currently has.
2. Small memorial plaque on both FD and PD for John Borboa and Rod Lake to acknowledge them and their family.
3. Discuss contract for the building for the dog kennel.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S) ONLY
NONE
Council Member Lopez motioned to enter the closed session, which was seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote at 6:43 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
8. Government Code Section 54957.6.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS: ALL REPRESENTED & UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEES City Negotiator: Ben Gallegos
Employee Organizations: Police & Public Works bargaining units and all unrepresented positions. Council Member Lopez motioned to enter the open session, which was seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote at 7:47 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
No action to report at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:48 pm by Council Member Perez, and second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.