MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-04-20
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: April 20, 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, Micheal Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; City Engineer, Mario Gouviea; Jeniffer Fraser, Ana Maria Fuentes, Jose Negrate, Loretta Guerra, Olivia Etchegoinberry, Wanda Breshers, Hortencia Mack & 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
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jennifer Fraser expressed her concern about a six-year-old that stated he wanted to help his parents get out of their environment, he comes from a migrant family and Fraser stated he is scared of the slum lord. Mrs. Fraser stated she doesn’t feel like the city is helping to resolve her reported concerns and ask how she can get help. She will continue to seek help form the city and other agencies and attend City Council meetings to state her concerns until the issues are addressed or resolved.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from April 6, 2026.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting March 1, 2026, and ending March 31, 2026.
March 2026 General Warrants #49144 - #49251 $ 818,261.99 Payroll Warrants #72786 - #72810 $ 198,787.53
Total Warrants $ 1,017,049.52
3. CITY OF FIREBAUGH PROCLAMATION - Autism Acceptance & Awareness Month - April 2026 Motion to pull item # 3 – Proclamation by Council Member Valdez, seconded by Council Member Renteria, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
Motion to approve agenda item # 3 – Proclamation by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
April 20, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
4. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE BUILDING AND HOUSING CODES – FIRST READING.
Hearing opened at 5:38 pm – Jennifer Fraser asked if updating or changing all of the codes allow to condemn a home or building. – Close Hearing at 5:40 pm.
Motion to waive the first reading by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-15 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH REJECTING ALL BIDS RECEIVED FOR THE MALDONADO PARK PHASE III PROJECT, NO. 240005.00 AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING STAFF TO RE-ADVERTISE AND SOLICIT NEW BIDS FOR THE PROJECT.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-15 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
6. RESOLUTION 26-16 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING A DENSITY BONUS (FOR THE PACIFIC WEST COMMUNITIES DOWNTOWN MIXED-USE PROJECT).
Residents: Jennifer Fraser, Bianca Echaveste and Linda Espinoza all expressed their concerns of vandalism, crime, no space for kids and parking issues are all reasons why they are against this project.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-16 by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
7. RESOLUTION NO. 26-17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH SELECTING AND ACCEPTING PACIFIC WEST COMMUNITIES, INC. AS DEVELOPER FOR THE ROUND 10 AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES (AHSC) PROGRAM,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO BE THE JOINT APPLICANT PUBLIC PARTNER TO THE AHSC ROUND 10 PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING PACIFIC WEST COMMUNITIES, INC.
TO BE THE JOINT APPLICANT WITH THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH FOR PURPOSES OF APPLYING TO THE AHSC ROUND 10 PROGRAM.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-17 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
8. RESOLUTION NO. 26-18 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AUTHORIZING THE USE OF REAP 2.0 FUNDING, UP TO FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($500,000.00), TO SUPPORT THE FIREBAUGH DOWNTOWN INFILL INITIATIVE AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT A FUNDING AGREEMENT CONTINGENT ON THE AWARD OF ROUND 10 AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES (AHSC) PROGRAM FUNDS.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-18 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 26-19 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN OPTION TO LEASE REAL ESTATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AND PACIFIC WEST COMMUNITIES, INC.
Motion to approve Resolution No. 26-19 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
April 20, 2026
STAFF REPORTS
Public Works Director, Micheal Molina – Nothing to report Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – April 15th attended training, five (5) EMS core training, 13 properties were issued a weed abatement notice. Will be attending Autism Awareness event on April 25, 2026. City Manager Ben Gallegos – Nothing to report.
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Provided an update on the current projects. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Nick Matoian – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Elsa Lopez - Red Cross Event, would like to honor our own Local Volunteers that enhance whichever programs they support and Volunteer with.
Council Member, Jenkins – Asked for an update about Clyde Fannon project, water park update, and asked Finance Director to provide info and look into consolidating Comcast, AT&T, and any other internet, phone services from all city sites and carriers to reduce cost.
Council Member, Perez – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Renteria – Nothing to report.
Council Member Valdez – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
Motion to enter closed session at 6:27 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: Interim Police Chief.
Motion to enter open session at 6:58 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 6:59 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.