Meeting Minutes
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 25 / 08-18
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Location of Meeting Andrew Firebaugh community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA. 93622
Date / Time August 18, 2025 / 5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL Mayor Freddy Valdez
Mayor Pro-Tem Silvia Renteria
Council Member Felipe Perez
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Elsa Lopez
Others City Manager Ben Gallegos, City Attorney Christina Smith, Interim Police Chief Magda Martinez, Finance Director Pio Martin, Public Works Director Micheal Molina, Battalion Fire Chief Hector Marin, City Engineering Mario Gouveia.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Freddy Valdez
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve agenda by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
• James Anderson said his family came to Firebaugh on July 04, 1946, and he would like to have a street named after his family.
• Raquel Tabares thanked the council members for attending and assisting with the Sixto Maldonado event.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The City Council Regular meeting on August 04, 2025
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period Starting July 01, 2025 ending July 31, 2025 July 2025 General Warrants #47942 - #48103 $1,651,401.99 Payroll Warrants #72583 - #72610 $ 179,842.13
TOTAL WARRANTS $1,831,244.12
Motion to approve consent calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING - None
NEW BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 25-28, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FIREBAUGH PPROVING AND AUTHORIZING INCREASE IN BASE ANNUAL SALARYOF CITY MANAGER BENJAMIN GALLEGOS BASED ON 2024 PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND APPROVING 3% BONUS PAYMENT
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-28 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, the motion passed by a 4-1 vote.
4. SAN JOAQUIN RIVER EXCHANGE CONTRACTORS COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE FUND 2025 APPLICATION
Discussion Item: Mario Gouveia showed council a diagram on how the park would look on 7th St.
He stated the grant application will be turned in on August 19, 2025. Ben gave more detail on the location of the project along the trail.
STAFF REPORTS
City Manager Ben Gallegos – The school district submitted the necessary paperwork to remove them from paying utility users tax due to them conducting a study and findings show them as exempt, they are asking for 3 years retro in the amount of $110,800.73. Finance Director Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
Public Works Director/Fire Chief Michael Molina– Nothing to add to written report City Attorney Christina Smith – Nothing to report.
Interim Police Chief Magda Martinez – Reported she is working on background checks to fill positions needed, one of the SRO’s are leaving, and one officer is in Southern California at a conference.
City Engineer Mario Gouveia – Gave an update on the CBDG project, working on the animal shelter and getting power to it that will take over a year due to what the building requires.
Battalion Chief Hector Marin- Department will be doing a CPR training, and they took part in the Maldonado Walk, which was great.
COUNCIL MEMEBERS AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Valdez – Would like to arrange a meeting with the school superintendent to see how this could be rectified to bring back information to next council meeting. Also thanked Raquel for a well organized event. Thankful for the officers and all the hard work that goes into making these events.
Mayor Pro-Tem Renteria – Bring back school utility users tax for discussion. Bring homeless ordinance for discussion and the trucks parking, would also like to discuss the graffiti. Also thanked Public Works for all the hard work they did on Saturday, also Miss Tabares for the help. Received compliments on the event, parks, and city. Council Member Lopez – Asked Pio to work with the school in regard to the users tax and how it will affect the city.
Council Member Perez – Informational item: Will be having a health fair on 08/28/25. Council Member Jenkins – Bring back school utility users tax for discussion and talk about the details.
CLOSED SESSION
5. GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957
Public Employee Evaluation: City Manager
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM ONLY - None
Motion to enter close session at 5:56 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.
Motion to enter open session at 6:13 pm by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passes by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION - No announcement.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 6:14 p.m. by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.