MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-07-06
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: July 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 Elsa Lopez
ABSENT Council Member Brady Jenkins, Council Member Felipe Perez OTHERS: City Attorney Nick Matoian; City Manager, Ben Gallegos; Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano; Finance Director, Pio Martin; Public Works Director/Fire Chief, Michael Molina; Battalion Chief, Hector Marin; Police Chief, Fernando Campa; City Engineer, Noe Marquez; John Patlan, Raquel Tabares, Stephanie Gonzales, 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 Lopez, seconded by Council Member Renteria; motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from June 15, 2026.
2. RESOLUTION NO. 26-36 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH APPROVING THE APPOINTMENT AND AGREEMENT OF FERNANDO CAMPA AS POLICE CHIEF.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Renteria; motion passed by a35-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
• Swearing in of Police Chief Fernando Campa.
• Investments 101 Presentation, presented by Optimized Investment Partners
PUBLIC HEARING
3. 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.
Open Hearing at 5:55 pm- Chris Gutierrez asked what the proposed tax amount would be, whether this was the only option available to assist with funding, and if grant opportunities had been considered. Staff responded that the proposed tax would range from approximately $75 to $200, depending on the size of the property owner's parcel. The tax would be collected through the property tax system and used to help fund the Volunteer Fire Department.
Stephanie Gonzales inquired about the results of the community survey. The City Manager responded that the survey results indicated the community was in favor of the proposed tax. - Close Hearing at 6:00 pm City Council Minutes
July 6, 2026
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-35 by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Lopez, motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-37 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ESTABLISHING VACANT LOT REGISTRATION FEES PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 16.5 OF THE FIREBAUGH MUNICIPAL CODE.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-37 by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Valdez; motion passed by a 2-0 vote. Lopez - Abstain
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-38 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH ACCEPTING COMPLETION OF THE Q STREET & 15TH STREET STORM DRAIN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT NO. 23A-CDBG-20006 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 UNITED PAVEMENT MAINTENANCE, INC.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-38 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Renteria; motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
6. RESOLUTION 26-39 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
ACCEPTING THE BID AND AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF
THREE HUNDRED FOURTEEN THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED ELEVEN DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS
FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN RIVER TRAIL PROJECT AND THE SHELTERED REST AREA PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-39 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Renteria; motion passed by a 3-0 vote.
7. HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR POSITION, INCLUDING JOB DESCRIPTION, SUPERVISION, AND SALARY.
Council directed staff to obtain quotes from human resources consultants and recruitment firms, and to prepare a flyer or advertisement for the HR position announcement.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief, Fernando Campa- Reported that several individuals were cited on the 4th of July for illegal fireworks. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Reported on the 2nd Annual Car Show. Chief Molina did an excellent job, and the event brought in new faces. The 4th of July holiday week was busy, with an increase in callouts. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – Nothing to report. 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, Nick Matoian – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Elsa Lopez – Nothing to report.
City Council Minutes
July 6, 2026
Council Member Renteria – Requested an update and review of the following forms: the Volunteer Form and the check-off list form for the Facilities Rental Application. Commented that it was a great car show and a great event for the community. Thanked staff and volunteers for their efforts. Council Member Valdez – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS - None
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY
CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 6:37 pm by Council Member Lopez and seconded by Council Member Renteria. Motion passed by a 3-0 vote.