MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 25-12-15
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: December 15, 2025/5:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER Meeting was called to order by Mayor Valdez at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Temp Silvia Renteria
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Felipe Perez
Council Member Elsa Lopez
ABSENT Mayor Freddy Valdez
OTHERS: City Attorney Nick Matoian; City Manager, Ben Gallegos; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Interim Police Chief, Magda Martinez; Public Works Director, Micheal Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; City Engineer, Mario Gouviea; John Patlan, Paige, Melanie Martinez, Mayra Arana, & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Renteria led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Meeting Minutes from December 1, 2025.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period Starting November 1, ending November 30, 2025.
November 2025 General Warrants #48528 - #48654 $ 1,359,461.21 Payroll Warrants #72687 - #72709 $ 185,211.32
Total Warrants $ 1,544,672.53
3. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2026 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE.
4. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2026 COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE.
5. CITY OF FIREBAUGH 2026 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE LEASE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA IRRIGATION DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH FOR RECREATION PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ALONG THE POSA CANAL.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 25-42 - A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 25-22 (MOU AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AND ITS NON-REPRESENTATIVE EMPLOYEES) REGARDING LONGEVITY PAY.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar but pull item No. 6 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
December 15, 2025
Motion to approve item No. 6 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
The motion to enter the Successor Agency by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed with a 4-0 vote.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY MATTERS
8. RESOLUTION NO. 25-41 - A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FIREBAUGH
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY APPROVING THE RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUDGET FOR JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 25-41 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
9. HOUSING SUCCESSOR AGENCY SENATE BILL 341 ANNUAL REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25.
Motion to approve SB 341 Annual Report by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
The motion to enter the City Business by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed with a 4-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
10. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER FORMING A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FOR PROJECTED COSTS PURSUIT OF 501(C)3 DESIGNATION, AND CITY OPTIONS.
The City Council reached a consensus and directed staff to proceed with establishing the 501(c)(3) organization.
11. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS THE FIREBAUGH ANIMAL SHELTER – UPDATE ON CURRENT STATUS, WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, AND WHAT REMAINING STEPS ARE NEEDED WITH THIS PROJECT.
Motion to approve and direct staff to proceed with the city’s portion of the project by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 3-1 vote. Lopez – no.
STAFF REPORTS
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Attended the Fresno City College Fire Academy graduation in support of a volunteer.
Mayor Valdez invited Battalion Chief Marin to give a presentation at the Fire Academy’s continuation class. Several students expressed interest in participating in the City’s Fire Volunteer Department; however, new enrollment will be deferred until the end of the school year.
Public Works Director/Fire Chief Michael Molina – Nothing to report, want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Council Member Renteria requested clarification regarding the staff report, specifically asking which employees attended the training, and if employees could be listed by name in future staff reports. City Manager, Ben Gallegos – Reported that the city was awarded a $3.5 million grant to complete the third phase of Maldonado Park and showcase the project. Sometimes, I think we don’t show the great things we're doing for the community. The new phase of the park will include a pickleball court, a tennis court, a soccer field, installation of an allweather track connecting to the trail, and repairs to the basketball court. Staff anticipate going out to bid in February and beginning construction in April. City also received a $200,000 grant to continue the hot meals program. We are planning to provide 200 to 300 meals for residents at our food distribution on Monday. Last year, we were able to remodel Dunkle Park. We work with Fresno County in the adult offender program; they help us clean the city, which makes a difference City Council Minutes
December 15, 2025
when people or new businesses want to come to our town. I am working with Human Resources and department heads to coordinate employee training based on varying job duties and skill needs. I’d like to say thanks for the support I received during this past ordeal, thank them publicly, and report that several companies contacted me to offer assistance with the dog kennel project. Council Member Renteria requested clarification regarding the airport’s unclassified status as referenced in the staff report. City Manager replied that the city is unclassified because we have fewer than 10 planes, which will affect the funding the city receives. West Valley Aviation moved out of its local office, and Colburn sold his plane, which impacted our tax revenue since they’re no longer housed in the city. The city is currently short by two places.
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Reported that CDBG authorized the City to use the remaining funds to fully pave 15th Street from Q Street to Saipan, including curb and gutter improvements. A meeting with the contractor is scheduled for Wednesday. An update on Well 18, noting that testing is scheduled to be completed in January. The sewer plant project has gone out to bid and will be presented before the City Council for approval. Finance Director, Pio Martin – Mid-Year review will be presented at the first meeting in February. City Attorney, Christina Smith – Nothing to report.
Interim Police Chief Magda Martinez – Nothing to report. Council Member Renteria complimented the staff report, stating it reflected the type of information the Council likes to see, and requested information on whether dispatchers have received training and asked that any such training or courses be included in future reports. Council Member, Lopez – working on a responsive email that the council and the city manager received. Council Member, Jenkins – I walked around the new fire station, and I’d like to tell Michael and Hector what a great job they’re doing. The station looks great and is clean. Hector, I appreciated your presentation at the school. You probably should be a teacher. We have a list of all the violations from code enforcement, so if we’re going to address or enforce that, we need to take care of our own city areas, too.
Council Member, Perez – Thank the staff for the job they’re doing. I’m glad Council Member Jenkins mentioned cleaning up city areas, because I’ve been approached with the same concerns from residents. Council Member, Renteria – Thanked the staff for putting on the parade, it was an awesome/ amazing event. People came from Dos Palos and Mendota and reached out to me to tell me we have one of the best Christmas parades, so thank you, staff, for all the work you do; you worked all day, and the next day, everything was cleaned up, as if it never happened. It’s really disheartening what has been put on social media.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
Motion to enter closed session at 6:48 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez.
Motion passed by a 4-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
12. Government Code Section 54957
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION: City Manager.
Motion to enter open session at 7:06 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
Nothing to report
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:05 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 4-0 vote.