MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-05-18
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: May 18, 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
Council Member Brady Jenkins
Council Member Elsa Lopez
ABSENT Mayor Pro Temp Silvia Renteria, Council Member Felipe Perez OTHERS: City Attorney Nick Matoian; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Interim Police Chief, Magda Martinez; City Engineer, Mario Gouviea; Raquel Tabares, Elmar O’Brien & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda, with agenda item # 4 and agenda Item # 11 to be tabled, by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from May 4, 2026.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Special Meeting Minutes from May 11, 2026.
3. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting April 1, 2026, and ending April 30, 2026.
April 2026 General Warrants #49252 - #49414 $ 1,368,527.76 Payroll Warrants #72811 - #72851 $ 257,944.37
Total Warrants $ 1,626,472.13
4. ORDINANCE NO. 26-02 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO WAIVE THE SECOND READING AND APPROVING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT NO.
PDP2025-01 TO ESTABLISH SITE-SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 199 N STREET (APNs 007-050-15 AND 007-050-16) – SECOND READING.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-26 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN EASEMENT DEED TO PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY (PG&E) WITHIN OUTLOT A OF TRACT 6477.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
May 18, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
6. RESOLUTION 26-25 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING OF PARTIAL CANCELLATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND CONSERVATION CONTRACT NO. 80 TO REMOVE APPROXIMATELY 30.93 ACRES FROM THE WILLIAMSON ACT PROGRAM.
Hearing opened at 5:42 pm – Raquel Tabares asked what the Williamson Act Contract is. Kelsey George provided a brief explanation of the Williamson Act and what the next steps will be in this process. – Close Hearing at 5:44 pm.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-25 by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW PRELIMINARY GENERAL FUND BUDGET REPORT.
Additional amendments suggested to be added before final approval are $35,000 for the Building Code books and staff training. Mayor proposed a dog part in lieu of the animal shelter this budget.
Informational item only.
8. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW PRELIMINARY SELF-SUSTAINING FUNDS BUDGET REPORT.
Informational item only.
9. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER ESTABLISHING
PARKS AND RECREATION COORDINATOR POSITION THROUGH A FUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FIREBAUGH-LAS DELTAS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Informational item only.
STAFF REPORTS
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Provided an update on two projects that will have open bids mid-June. 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 – Nothing to Report
Council Member, Jenkins – Nothing to Report.
Council Member Valdez – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS - None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
Motion to enter closed session at 6:17 pm by Council Member Jenkins and second by Council Member Lopez.
Motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
May 18, 2026
CLOSED SESSION
10. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: Finance Director
11. Government Code Section 54957
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION/NEGOTIATION: City Police Chief Motion to enter open session at 6:36 pm by Council Member Jenkins and second by Council Member Lopez.
Motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
Nothing to report
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 6:36 pm by Council Member Jenkins and second by Council Member Lopez. Motion passed by a 3-0 vote.