MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-06-15
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: June 15, 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; City Manager, Ben Gallegos; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Public Works Director/Fire Chief, Michael Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; City Engineer, Noe Marquez; & others.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to pull agenda item #14, approve the agenda, by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Mr. Richie M Sayavong of the California Department of Insurance provided a presentation regarding Recent State Insurance Legislative Updates.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jennifer Fraser provided an update and stated her concerns at 9722 N. Dos Palos, stating she was hoping for some resolution.
Maria Pacheco, City of Kerman Mayor, expressed her appreciation for the support she received during her campaign for the District 1 Board of Supervisors seat. She also congratulated Mr. Perez on his participation in the election.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from June 1, 2026.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting May 1, 2026, and ending May 31, 2026.
May 2026 General Warrants #49415 - #49560 $ 1,060,5669.61 Payroll Warrants #72852 - #72868 $ 119,819.86
Total Warrants $ 1,180,386.47
3. 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.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-30 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADOPTING ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27.
City Council Minutes
June 15, 2026
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-34 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT AND AGREEMENT OF PIO MARTIN AS FINANCE DIRECTOR AND ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
6. 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).
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-28 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER USE OF THE VFW HALL AND
WAIVER OF RENTAL FEES BY FIREBAUGH FALCON FOOTBALL FOR DINNER DANCE FUNDRAISER ON JULY 11, 2026.
Motion to approve waiver of fees, except for the required Insurance & cleaning deposit by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
8. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE RENTAL APPLICATIONS OF THE VFW HALL AND ANDREW FIREBAUGH COMMUNITY CENTER.
Council Members requested that additional information be included on the rental application, including key pickup and return times, a walkthrough checklist, established fees for failure to clean the facility, clarification of cleaning requirements, and the name and phone number of a contact person available during the rental period.
9. RESOLUTION 26-29 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH FY 2026/2027 LIST OF ELIGIBLE PROJECTS FOR FUNDING
FROM THE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) CREATED BY SENATE BILL 1: ROAD REPAIR AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017, AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO FILE WITH THE CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION THE PROJECT LIST AND ANNUAL EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR FY 2026/2027 RMRA FUNDING.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-29 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
10. RESOLUTION NO. 26-31 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF THE WELL NO. 18 TEST WELL PROJECT, AUTHORIZING THE
DEPUTY CITY CLERK TO RECORD A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH FRESNO COUNTY AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE FINAL PAYMENT OF RETENTION MONIES TO QUALITY WELL DRILLERS, INC.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-31 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
11. RESOLUTION 26-32 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ADOPTING A POLICY OF A
SCHEDULED DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTAL OF CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEMS PRIOR TO ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING.
No motion, resolution failed.
City Council Minutes
June 15, 2026
12. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS AND REVIEW PRELIMINARY AIRPORT, STREET, AND LANDSCAPE FUNDS BUDGET REPORT.
Informational item only.
13. RESOLUTION NO. 26-33 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH’S BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 – 2027.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-33, with an amendment to include a Full-time Police Officer and a Full-time Public Works employee by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Jenkins, motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
14. RESOLUTION NO. 26-35 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH CALLING AN ELECTION IN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE CITY’S NEXT GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026 AND SUBMITTING TO THE
ELECTORS A BALLOT MEASURE TO IMPOSE A SPECIAL PARCEL TAX FOR FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE BY ADDING CHAPTER 11.5 (SPECIAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
TAX) TO THE FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE, ESTABLISHING THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
FOR SUCH AN ELECTION, REQUESTING THAT FRESNO COUNTY PROVIDE ELECTION SERVICES, AND DIRECTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS.
Agenda Item pulled.
STAFF REPORTS
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Had a structure fire that is under investigation at a vacant home. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – The streetsweeper is down, we’re waiting for parts. Working on the day-today operation. The Splash Park is running; our younger guys did an amazing job at the fire. The Car Show is scheduled for June 27, 2026. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m., with awards expected to be presented at approximately 3:00 p.m.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos - Nothing to report.
City Engineer, Noe Marquez – Nothing to report.
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 – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Perez - It’s been dark at Maldonado Park, so the Firebaugh Regional Council is willing to purchase and donate solar lights. City needs to look at the parking lights at Mills School and Dunkle Park; the street needs to be stripped in that area, also. Staff reported that the city doesn’t maintain the streetlights at that location. The Mexican Consul is scheduled to use the VFW from August 10th through the 13th. Council Member, Jenkins – Inquired on how old the street sweeper is and how much a new one will cost. Staff replied that our is about 10 years old, it was purchased with grant funding at a cost of about $400,000 at the time. Council Member Renteria - stated the Interim Police Chief is not present, but that was an incident in Firebaugh and thanked the Police and Fire staff for their quick response. Council Member Valdez – Thanked staff, asked for the Splash Park to be open during the heat spikes. The Public Works Director will work on the proposed hours of operation.
City Council Minutes
June 15, 2026
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS - None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
Mrs. Navarro asked if the city wants to purchase property. Mrs. Gonzalez wants to know what the intent is for the property purchase. Council replied that the intent is for mixed-use development.
Motion to enter closed session at 7:33 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez.
Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
15. Conference with Real Property Negotiators - Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: APNs 008-074-04, 18, located at 1148 O Street (between 11th Street and 12th Street).
City Negotiator: Ben Gallegos. Negotiating Parties: Rose L. Urias Family Trust. Under Negotiation: terms of property purchase, including price.
16. Government Code Section 54957.6
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE NEGOTIATIONS: City Police Chief
Motion to return to open session at 7:55 p.m. 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 7:56 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.