MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-02-02
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: February 2, 2026/5:30 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 Temp Silvia Renteria
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Felipe Perez
Council Member Elsa Lopez
ABSENT
OTHERS: City Attorney Nick Matoian; City Manager, Ben Gallegos; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Public Works Director, Michael Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; City Engineer, Mario Gouviea; Steve and Stephanie Gonzales, John Patlan, Lupe Flores, Mike Daniel, Chris Gutierrez, Veronica Navarro & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Lupe Flores introduced herself as a lifelong resident of Mendota and a candidate for Fresno County District 1. A graduate of Tranquillity High School and West Hills College, where she received her AA Business Degree. She shared her background and passion for public service, including 21 years on the Mendota Unified School District Board, serving as Board President in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. She retired from public service with the California Labor Commissioner’s Office and the Employment Development Department. She expressed support for the Fresno County Board of Supervisors’ current legislative platform priorities, with particular emphasis on Measure C, water issues, and public safety funding. Mrs. Flores highlighted her family’s longstanding community involvement, including her husband’s two-term service on the Mendota City Council, pastoring at Rivers of Living Waters Christian Church for 15 years, and they have been business operators since 2007.
She emphasized her commitment to family, faith, education, public safety, economic development, and supporting rural communities.
Stephanie Gonzales had a question regarding the city's social media page and why it’s not being maintained by anyone currently. Some council members are doing a great job and provide information on their personal social media, but the city's web page would be a great source to provide residents with local information.
Mike Daniel, 5864 Columbia Road, reported that Cal Ripken and Softball registration will be starting soon. Last year, there were 265 participants, and this year, the league is expecting higher participation. Parents have inquired about the Josh Allen/New Balance grant funding, and which sports organizations will have access to those funds. He stated that they were not notified of the last Parks and Recreation meeting and requested to be informed of any upcoming meetings.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from January 5, 2026.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Special Meeting Minutes from January 21, 2026.
City Council Minutes
February 2, 2026
3. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting December 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025.
December 2025 General Warrants #48655 - #48826 $ 900,415.56 Payroll Warrants #72710 - #72732 $ 189,866.98
Total Warrants $1,090,282.54
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
4. ORDINANCE NO. 25-04 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 16.5 OF THE FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT – SECOND READING.
Opening hearing at 5:42 pm – comment: Stephanie Gonzales, a vacant-lot owner, expressed support for the ordinance’s intent to maintain safe and clean neighborhoods. She emphasized the importance of clarity, consistency, and transparency in enforcement and compliance. Ms. Gonzales recommended providing a plain-language maintenance checklist during registration, establishing clear definitions and visual examples for terms such as “weeds” and “trash,” and sharing general information about inspection frequency. She also suggested sending annual courtesy reminders before the July 1 registration deadline and improving communication about the 10-day appeal period, noting that mailed notices reduce the practical response time for property owners. Public Hearing closed at 5:44 p.m.
Motion to approve Ord. No. 25-04 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 4-0 vote. Council Member Lopez – Abstain.
NEW BUSINESS
5. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO WELCOME AND INTRODUCE THE NEW CITY PLANNERS, PRECISION CIVIL ENGINEERING, INC., AND DISCUSS THE CITY’S VISION, GOALS, AND PROJECT IDEAS.
Informational item only.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 26-01 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING A SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF FRESNO AND THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-01 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 26-02 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING A JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE POSITION OF ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-02 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
8. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH SHALL DISCUSS AND CONSIDER POSSIBLE
ACTION ON THE SALARY FOR THE INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE POLICY CONCERNING TAKE-HOME USE OF A CITY – OWNED VEHICLE.
Item Tabled.
9. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW AND UPDATE FOR FY 2025-2026.
Informational item only.
City Council Minutes
February 2, 2026
10. REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF SHOPPING CENTERS (ICSC) CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, NV, MAY 18, 2026, TO MAY 20, 2026.
By consensus, the City Council approved the attendance of two Council Members and the City Manager at the conference. Council Members Perez and Renteria, along with the City Manager, will attend.
11. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER CITY REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING THE 2026 CONGRESSIONAL CITY CONFERENCE FROM MARCH 14, 2026, TO MARCH 18, 2026, IN WASHINGTON, DC, AND/OR OTHER CONFERENCES.
By consensus, the City Council approved the attendance of two Council Members and the City Manager at the conference. Mayor Valdez and Mayor Pro Tem Renteria, along with the City Manager, will attend.
12. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE POLICE CHIEF POSITION.
By consensus, the City Council approved the advertisement for the publication of the vacant position.
13. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND SELECT AVAILABLE DATES AND TIMES FOR A JOINT MEETING WITH THE FIREBAUGH LAS-DELTAS SCHOOL DISTRICT.
By consensus, the City Council recommended February 17th through February 20th after 5:00 p.m.
STAFF REPORTS
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Nothing to report.
Public Works Director/Fire Chief Michael Molina – Stripping at the school will be done. Hector will look at the vacant lots for weed abatement. The Maldonado Park project will go out to bid this week. City Manager Ben Gallegos will be attending the City Manager’s conference next week. City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Q Street has been paved; however, striping is still pending. All grant funding was utilized for curb and gutter improvements and sidewalk concrete work. Reported that testing for Well 18 is scheduled to begin this month and continue into next month.
Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Christina Smith – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Lopez – don’t forget Form 700.
Council Member, Jenkins – requested an update on the splash park. M. Molina stated the part was replaced, and the equipment will be tested. Council Member Jenkins asked for an update on the Dog Pound. The City Manager replied that the city received a notice from Cal OSHA and is working on a response letter to address their concerns. Thanked Hector and Michael for their assistance with the safety of the kids at the crosswalk. We really appreciate your help. Council Member, Perez – Three seniors knocked on my door, stating the fog had made it difficult to see, and asked if Public Works could strip the street and check streetlights that may not be working. Council Member, Renteria – requested an update on the Fire Tax. The City Manager reported that outreach calls have been made to voters. She also inquired about the status of insurance coverage for volunteers. The City Manager stated that Rita is currently looking into the matter. Additionally, Council Member Renteria requested an update on the homeless ordinance.
Staff indicated that the newly hired Police Chief is expected to work on the ordinance upon appointment and will coordinate with the City Attorney, who had been working on the matter with the former Police Chief.
City Council Minutes
February 2, 2026
Council Member Valdez – a resident reported that a streetlight is not working, the pole number is F3903. Staff will check on it. The Mayor suggested that a Parks and Recreation newsletter be distributed to the public. When the season begins, he will assist Mike Daniel with additional outreach efforts.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
Motion to enter closed session at 8:32 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
14. Government Code Section 54957
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION: City Manager.
Motion to enter open session at 10:26 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Lopez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
Nothing to report
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 10:27 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Lopez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.