MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-04-06
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: April 6, 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 Christine D. Smith; City Manager, Ben Gallegos; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Public Works Director, Micheal Molina; Magda Martinez, Interim Police Chief; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; City Engineer, Mario Gouviea; & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda with an amendment to add a presentation from the Firebaugh Falcon Football team by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Laura Garcia presented on behalf of the Firebaugh Falcon Football team and the Firebaugh cheerleading program, providing information on their non-profit status, number of registered participants, operating costs and expenses, required travel expenses, and the duration of their season.
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Jenifer Fraiser stated concerns and issues in her neighborhood and asked assist on resolving this matter before someone gets hurt, because it’s becoming a dangerous problem. One home was condemned, but the remaining home should be investigated too.
• Ashley Paulson introduced herself, she is running in the 2026 General Election for Fresno County Superior Court Judge. A central valley native, who has spent 11 years as an attorney at the Fresno Co District Attorney’s office.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from March 16, 2026.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Special Meeting Minutes from March 31, 2026.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 26-08 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FIREBAUGH APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY – 1120 “O” STREET, FIREBAUGH, CA.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-09 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY – 1467 11TH STREET, FIREBAUGH, CA.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-10 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT’S CLEAN AIR CENTERS PILOT PROGRAM GRANT.
City Council Minutes
April 6, 2026
6. RESOLUTION NO. 26-13 - A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PROHOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
7. RESOLUTION NO. 26-11 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING AN ADDITIONAL 5% SALARY INCREASE, RETROACTIVE PAY,
AND USE OF A CITY-OWNED TAKE-HOME VEHICLE FOR INTERIM POLICE CHIEF MAGDA MARTINEZ.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-11 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 26-12 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH DECLARING PARCELS OF LAND AS “EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND” PURSUANT TO THE
CALIFORNIA SURPLUS LAND ACT AND AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF SAID PROPERTY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-12 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 26-14 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH RATIFYING THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH’S SUBMISSION OF TWO GRANT APPLICATIONS TO FRESNO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE 2026 MEAUSRE “C” TRANSIT ORIENTED
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, CYCLE XIV, AND AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF GRANT AGREEMENT DOCUMENTS BY THE CITY MANAGER.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-14 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
10. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS INVESTING CITY FUNDS.
Motion to approve and proceed by Consensus of the city council.
11. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS HOW THE ALLOCATED FUNDS COLLECTED FROM THE PUBLIC NUISANCE ORDINANCE WILL BE USED.
Directed staff to provide options setting fees between $50 to $200 by Consensus of the city council.
12. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS A JOINT MEETING WITH THE FIREBAUGH LAS-DELTAS SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR MAY 28, 2026.
Motion to approve date of the joint meeting for May 28, 2026, by Consensus of the city council.
STAFF REPORTS
Interim Police Chief, Magda Martinez – Nothing to report. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – participated with the successful event of the fishing derby and held a presentation at the Middle School Open house.
City Council Minutes
April 6, 2026
Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – Nothing to report City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Test Well 18 is done, the last test was taken today, should be receiving the results soon. Q St & 15th St concrete is complete, will be doing the final walk-through. The TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) grant was submitted, the city submitted two applications, and they received only four applications.
Working with Make Sigala on a grant with the possible funding of $6 to $8 million for access and transportation. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Manager Ben Gallegos – had a meeting with the new reps with the animal shelter, they requested a dog park, medication and funds to neuter or spade dogs.
City Attorney, Christina Smith – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Perez – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Jenkins – Inquired about the top lights that aren’t working at the cross walks, asked for updates of the water park and baseball snack bar. Asked the Finance Director to consolidate services for phones and internet services. Requested a meeting to discuss the completion of the snack bar remold. Council Member, Renteria – meet with the Finance Director on the budget and requested a shade structure at Dunkle Park enclosed area and we spoke about the community center. Asked about hiring a part-time person, and weeds at the AT&T building.
Council Member Valdez – inquired about the earlier comments and the illegal activities at that property. Staff reported one of the properties is in county limits an EPA inspector will be out Fresno County to investigate the matter.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
Mrs. Fraiser reiterated her earlier comments about the dangerous situation at the mentioned property and stated she feels like the cops are addressing her concerns, even after she shared information, surveillances footage with them.
Motion to enter closed session at 6:24 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez.
Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
13. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Interim Police Chief.
Motion to enter open session at 7:11 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 7:12 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.