Meeting Minutes
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 25 / 06-16
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Location of Meeting Andrew Firebaugh community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA. 93622
Date / Time June 16, 2025 / 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
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 Manager Ben Gallegos, City Attorney Christina Smith, Police Chief Sal Raygoza, Officer Kevin Gillum, Acting Deputy Clerk Olga Flores, Finance Director Pio Martin, Battalion Fire Chief Hector Marin, Gouveia Engineering Rep. Noe Martinez, and others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Freddy Valdez
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Lopez seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 4-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Proclamation Presentation of Rod Lake was read and presented by Mayor Valdez to the Lake Family on behalf of the City Council and Staff.
• Gang and Drug presentation was given by Police Chief Sal Raygoza and Officer Kevin Gillum. • 2024 Annual Report was presented by Police Chief Sal Rayoza
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council Regular meeting on June 16, 2025
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting May 01 and ending May 31, 2025 May 2025 General Warrants#47612 - #47780 $1,635,852.94
Payroll Warrants #72534 - #72555 $ 197,711.34
TOTAL WARRANTS $1,833,564.28
Motion to approve consent calendar by Council Member Perez, seconded by Council Member Lopez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 25-15 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FIREBAUGH CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT OF ANNUAL LEVY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 FOR LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 (PURSUANT TO THE
LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972)
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-15 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 25-16 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF THE Q STREET IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE CITY CLERK TO RECORD A NOTICE OF
COMPLETION WITH FRESNO COUNTY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO MAKE FINAL PAYMENT OF RETENTION MONIES TO EMMETT VALLEY CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-16 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 25-17 - A RESOLUTION OF TIIE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FIREBAUGH AMENDING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
FIREBAUGH AND MADERA COUNTY FOR AUTOMATIC/MIUTUAL AID
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-17 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 25-18 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADOPTING ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-18 by Council Member Perez, seconded by Council Member Lopez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 25-19 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH’S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-19 with an amendment made to allocate up to $35,000.00 using impact fees for an impact fee study by Mayor Valdez, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
8. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF
REGARDING ESTABLISHING A PARTNERSHIP WITH UC MERCED TO BRING
RESOURCES AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR COMMUNITY
MEMBERS
Council Direction to City Manager is to get together with UC Merced and gather information regarding the possibility of making compost at the community garden site.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief Sal Raygoza – A search warrant was served at the 1400 block of “P” Street early this morning that was related to gang activity.
Finance Director Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Manager Ben Gallegos – Will be off Wednesday – Saturday. Public Works Director/Fire Chief Michael Molina– Nothing to add to his written report. City Attorney Christina Smith – Extended an invitation on behalf of Griswold Lasalle to their open house celebrating 80 years of service.
Acting Deputy City Clerk Olga Flores – Nothing to report. City Engineer Noe Martinez – Nothing to report.
Battalion Chief Hector Marin- First car show was held Saturday; he extended his gratitude to Nick Molina for doing an incredible job.
Mayor Valdez – Received positive feedback from the car show and appreciates the hard work and effort that was put into it. He would also like to look into code enforcement for vacant lots and work on creating a fee structure.
Mayor Pro-Tem Renteria – Thanked Fire Department for putting on a great event in regard to the car show. She stated she received positive feedback. She also spoke about looking into the large trucks parking along HWY 33 coming into town and the religious signs hanging from businesses.
Council Member Lopez – Nothing to report.
Council Member Perez – Measure C meeting will be held at Community Center on June 23rd from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
CLOSED SESSION
9. GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
Government Code Section 54957.6 - Conference with Labor Negotiator Agency Designated Representatives: Christina D. Smith, City Attorney and Ben Gallegos, City Manager Employee Organizations: Firebaugh Police Officers Association, Public Works, and Unrepresented Groups.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM ONLY
None
Motion to enter close session at 7:29 pm by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
10. GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
Government Code Section 54957.6 - Conference with Labor Negotiator Agency Designated Representatives: Christina D. Smith, City Attorney and Ben Gallegos, City Manager Employee Organizations: Firebaugh Police Officers Association, Public Works, and Unrepresented Groups. Motion to enter open session at 8:05 pm by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 4-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
No announcement.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. by Council Member Perez, seconded by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.