MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-06-01
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: June 1, 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 Elsa Lopez
Council Member Felipe Perez
ABSENT
OTHERS: City Attorney Christina D. Smith; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Public Works Director/Fire Chief, Michael Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; Interim Police Chief, Magda Martinez; City Engineer, Mario Gouviea; Raquel Tabares, Mike Daniels, 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, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jennifer Fraser provided an update and stated her concerns on 9722 N. Dos Palos, stating a family has been evicted from that location, since council is looking for money, why not go after property owners that have penalties and fees from property/building violations. It would solve the city’s problem and the public nuisance. Stephanie Gonzales thanked staff for getting the splash park repaired and running, her family visited the park, along with other families that really enjoyed it and created memories with their families. Mike Daniels, President of the Cal Ripken Baseball, reported they had a successful year with the baseball league done and now switching over to softball. This year over 100 girls have signed up.
Mr. Daniels expressed their appreciation to the city grounds crew and Public Works Director Molina for maintaining the fields. The league had a huge tournament over the weekend. Mr. Molina prepped the field on Saturday and Sunday, the league wasn’t expecting him to do that and really appreciated it and thanked him and his department again. Mr. Daniels reported that the Firebaugh 11-year-old team were the Division IV Champions. Stephanie Gonzales inquired about the funding contribution awarded to Cal Ripken and the softball program and asked for an update on the concession stand project.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from May 18, 2026.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Lopez, second by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
City Council Minutes
June 1, 2026
NEW BUSINESS
2. BRYANT JOLLEY, CPA OFFICE TO PRESENT THE ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE PERIOD FY 2024-2025, ENDING JUNE 30, 2025.
Motion to accept the audit by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
3. RESOLUTION NO. 26-27 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
ADOPTING A POLICY FOR DISRUPTION OF REMOTE PARTICIPATION DURING A COUNCIL MEETING.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-27 by Council Member Jenkins, second by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-28 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT OF ANNUAL LEVY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FOR LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1 (Pursuant to the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972).
Informational item only.
5. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW PRELIMINARY COPS, PUBLIC SAFETY, SOLID WASTE, SEWER, AND WATER FUNDS BUDGET REPORT.
Informational item only.
STAFF REPORTS
Interim Police Chief, Magda Martinez – Have two officers and dispatchers attending training. One officer is training a reserve officer, the department may be losing an officer, who applied for Fish & Game and is currently going through the background check. Graduations will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – We have three cadets graduating, we’re preparing for the Car Show on June 27, 2026. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – Working on day-to-day operations, water plants, fertilized the parks, installed new pump at the water site, still waiting on parts from the splash park. The splash park hours will be extended during summer and extreme heat, as a cooling center option. Fire Department has been working on fires along the river for the past five days, and new hoses have been ordered. The City purchased a meal one day and parents cooked on another evening.
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Provided updates on the trails project bid, and the FCTA New Tech funds grant. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Christina D. Smith – Nothing to report. Council Member, Elsa Lopez – inquired about an update of the proposed tax measure for the fire department. Council Member, Jenkins – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Perez - UC Merced will host approximately 40 youth, ages 10 to 18 years old, participate in an extreme heat program academy.
City Council Minutes
June 1, 2026
Council Member Renteria – Thanked the Fire Dept., stating it is intense see the firefighters go out, added these young men need to be fed, please donate. Thanks to everyone for their support, including Mr. Molina, for helping Mr.
Daniels. Through the Park and Rec committee the city was able to help Cal Rip Kin and other organizations through grant funding to keep costs low or free for the kids’ sports activities in the community. Attended ICSC, there were four businesses that are interested in coming to our community. Council Member Valdez – provided a snack bar update, Council Member Jenkins and Public Works Director Molina are working together to complete the project. Allocated grant funds that were awarded to the city helped keep costs low or free for the kids’ sports activities in the community.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS - None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
No comment given
Motion to enter closed session at 6:36 pm by Council Member Jenkins and second by Council Member Lopez.
Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
6.Government Code Section 54957.6
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS: Finance Director
7.Government Code Section 54957.6
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS: City Police Chief
8.Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(2)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION – ONE (1) CASE
9.Government Code Section 54956.9 (d)(1)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Ozburn v City of Firebaugh et.al.
Motion to return to open session at 7:21 p.m. by Council Member Jenkins and second by Council Member Perez.
Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
Nothing to report
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:22 pm by Council Member Jenkins and second by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.