MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-03-02
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: March 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 Christina D. Smith; City Manager, Ben Gallegos; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Public Works Director, Magda Martinez, Interim Police Chief; Michael Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; City Engineer, Mario Gouviea; Jarrett Martin, Chris Gutierrez, & 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
A representative from Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria’s office provided a brief presentation on California state laws and bills the Assemblywoman has enacted, introduced, and supported. The representative also informed the Council and the public about the services their office offers to our community and the surrounding communities.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from February 2, 2026.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Special Meeting Minutes from February 19, 2026.
3. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting January 1, 2026, and ending January 31, 2026.
January 2026 General Warrants #48827 - #48999 $ 1,503,662.44 Payroll Warrants #72733 - #72756 $ 201,345.61
Total Warrants $1,705,008.05
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-03 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION AND ADOPTING THE PLHA PLAN AND INCOME REUSE PLAN FOR THE PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION PROGRAM.
Opening hearing at 5:39 pm – No comment was given. Public Hearing closed at 5:40 p.m.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-03 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
March 2, 2026
NEW BUSINESS
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-04 – A RESOLUTION THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADOPTING THE REVISED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AMONG THE DELTAMENDOTA SUBBASIN GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY AGENCIES.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-04 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 26-05 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH PROVIDING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION COVERAGE FOR NON-SAFETY CITY VOLUNTEERS Motion to approve Res. No. 26-05 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
7. 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.
The City Council reached a consensus to approve the use of a City vehicle for the Interim Police Chief. The motion passed by a unanimous 5–0 vote.
8. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO APPROVE A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH PAUL MAURER SHOWS FOR THE FIREBAUGH ROUNDUP.
Motion to approve a three-year contract renewal with Paul Maurer Show for three years by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
9. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 26- XX - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADDING CHAPTER 13-5 AND CHAPTER 13-6
RELATING TO CAMPING AND STORAGE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY, TO THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE.
Informational
STAFF REPORTS
Interim Police Chief, Magda Martinez – A School Resource Officer (SRO), is currently attending training. We’re hoping to have another SRO attend the training later this year. Two of our Supervisors are attending training in Milpitas for DUI checkpoints, so they will be certified. The department has hired Bee Vang as a Reserve Officer. We’re hoping to hire three more reserve officers in the future. We applied for the Office Traffic Safety (OTS) grant, funds for a year of weekend DUI checkpoints, distracted-driving enforcement campaigns, public safety presentations at schools, and office training in DUI detection. We’ll be having our 1st DUI checkpoint soon. We held a migrant parent meeting, and Officer Albarran provided information.
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – started with weed abatement, notices are sent to property owners, and a follow-up is done 20 days later to see if the issue has been resolved.
Public Works Director/Fire Chief Michael Molina – Attended the League of Cities Public Works Conference last week. City Manager Ben Gallegos – submitted application for One Voice but decided not to go, since projects have been selected already. We were hoping to address flood management with COG. Working with Michael Sigala on the downtown project and working to acquire more properties to assist with bringing potential businesses. Working with Mario for proposed projects around proposed projects. Have meetings set up for possible funding for the Fire and Police departments. Opening bid was held for the Maldonado Park phase III project. The city is in great shape, and the bids were under the Engineer’s estimate of about 1 million dollars.
City Council Minutes
March 2, 2026
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – a larger portion of sidewalk, curb, and gutter improvements has been done. Will do preliminary work through Measure C funding; the FY 26-27 grant is due tomorrow, with construction estimated to be done in the next CMAQ for FY 27-28. Del Rio is the main focus; $1.4 million is available. The Test Well project is still ongoing; Q St and 15th St are done; the city still needs to do a walk-through, and acceptance of the project should be in April. WWTP update: We’re still waiting for the State to approve the FBA approval, possibly in the spring, but the city project was approved.
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 – ask staff to take into consideration the wet ground when addressing the weed abatement enforcement. Inquired about the Senior Center roof replacement. Staff replied, " It’s been completed.” Council Member, Perez – Mexican Consulate will be at Del Bosque Farms to hold a lunch giveaway. We are trying to open the Outside Market in the last week of the month, but it will depend on the weather. Council Member, Jenkins – inquired about clean-up at Father Craig Street area. Asked if the city has to take the lowest bid for a project. Staff replied, “Yes, unless the bidder is disqualified.” Council Member, Renteria – Thanked everyone for their hard work and asked everyone to keep the military and their families in your prayers.
Council Member Valdez – provided additional information regarding One Voice, stating the city project is one of nine projects selected with COG.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
Motion to enter closed session at 6:29 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
10. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: City Manager.
11. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: City Finance Director.
12. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: City Police Chief Motion to enter open session at 7:27 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
Table the Finance Director Evaluation.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:28 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.