Meeting Minutes
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 25 / 03-03
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Location of Meeting Andrew Firebaugh community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA. 93622
Date / Time March 03, 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 Brady Jenkins
Council Member Felipe Perez
Council Member Elsa Lopez
Others City Attorney Nick Matioan, City Manager Ben Gallegos, Acting Deputy Clerk Olga Flores, Public Workks Director Michael Molina, Finance Director Pio Martin, Police Chief Sal Raygoza, Battalion Chief Hector Marin PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Freddy Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA with Amendment requested by Council Member Lopez to move items #6 and #7 to the front
Motion to approve agenda as amended by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. City Council Regular Meeting on February 03, 2025
b. City Council Special Meeting on February 18, 2025
Motion to approve the consent calendar by Council Member Perez, seconded by Council Member Lopez, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
2. COMMUNITY MEMBER CRAIG KNIGHT REQUEST THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO ESTABLISH ROD LAKE DAY.
Mayor Freddy Valdez gave direction to City Manager Ben Gallegos to look into establishing a proclamation.
3. COMMUNITY MEMBER CRAIG KNIGHT REQUEST THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO ESTABLISH JOHN BORBOA DAY.
Mayor Freddy Valdez gave direction to City Manager Ben Gallegos to look into establishing a proclamation. 5HWXUQWR$JHQGD
4. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING
BID AND AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO UNITED PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE, INC. FOR THE P STREET ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-04 and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Firebaugh by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote
5. PRESENTATION OF DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AND THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, POST 7380 (VFW), REGARDING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1300 “O” STREET, FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2028.
Mayor Freddy Valdez gave direction to City Manager Ben Gallegos to move forward in executing the Memorandum of Understanding
6. REQUESTING AUTHORIZATION FROM THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FIREBAUGH TO APPLY FOR THE STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) GRANT.
Public comment received by Chris Guttirez – Asking what type of competition it would be going after the grant, Ben answered it will be country wide.
Motion to approve by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
7. MAYOR PRO-TEM SILVIA RENTERIA REQUEST THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER THE CREATION OF A MONUMENT / MEMORIAL TO THE DEDICATED SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF OUR POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL.
Mayor Freddy Valdez gave direction to City Manager Ben Gallegos to present some preliminary designs and to reach out to some community organization who would be willing to donate or be involved and report back to council in a month.
STAFF REPORT – Written and enclosed in the agenda packet. ¾ Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
¾ City Attorney, Nick Matioan – Working on the waiver for the dog shelter. ¾ Acting Deputy City Clerk, Olga Flores – Nothing to report. ¾ City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Coordinating with Cal Trans in regards to HWY 33, lights and sidewalks are mostly done.
¾ City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Submitted 2 applications for street projects for Morris Kyle to Landucci , 13th and “O” Street. Alley projects have started. ¾ Public Works Director, Michael Molina – Getting Dunkle ready for baseball season and the fence is coming down at Maldonado this week.
¾ Battalion Chief Hector Marin- Structure fire on “O” street, thanks to PD and PW for helping out, everyone performed exceptionally.
¾ Police Chief Sal Raygoza – Working 2024 report for council. ¾ Council Member Perez – Comments from residents asking about road lines, residents asking if they could allow the seniors and disable people to wait inside the building during food distribution during cold or hot weather. The road lines by the church also need painting.
¾ Council Member Lopez – Her and Ben meet with the Boys and Girls Club along with Wonderful to start fixing the club so the kids can have a place. ¾ Council Member Jenkins – Nothing to add.
¾ Mayor Pro-Tem Renteria – For next election she would like to start looking into what steps to take to bring a tax for Fire Department.
¾ Mayor Valdez – Express gratitude to public safety teams and city workers, the structure was destroyed they prevented it from spreading.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Pro-Tem Renteria – would like to add for discussion on agenda 03/17/2025 to start looking into what steps to take to bring a tax for Fire Department for the next election.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 6:17 pm by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.