MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-07-20
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: July 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 Elsa Lopez
Council Member Felipe Perez
ABSENT
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; Borboa, Campa, Chacon Family, Kevin Romero Chris Gutierrez & 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 the ceremonial Pinning of Police Chief Campa, by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
Ceremonial Pinning of Police Chief Campa
PUBLIC COMMENT
Kevin Romero congratulated Chief Campa on his appointment, stating that Chief Campa has demonstrated dedication to both the Police Department and the community throughout his years of service. Mr. Romero expressed his support and said he was excited for Chief Campa in his new role. Chris Gutierrez stated that he had spoken with Ben regarding a traffic safety concern in front of the Full Gospel Church. He requested that the curb be painted red or that "No Parking" signs be installed, explaining that diesel trucks have been parked in the area and obstructing visibility when entering and exiting the church parking lot.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from July 6, 2026.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting June 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2026.
June 2026 General Warrants #49561 - #49697 $ 904,181.92 Payroll Warrants #72869 - #72893 $ 201,528.27
Total Warrants $ 1,106,710.19
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PUBLIC HEARING
None
City Council Minutes
July 20, 2026
NEW BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION NO. 26-40 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH'S APPLICATION TO THE FRESNO
COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (FRESNO COG) MEASURE C NEW TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM FOR
THE SCHOOL ROUTE ITS SAFETY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTAL.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-40 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-41 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION FOR THE SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAM AND DESIGNATING THE CITY MANAGER AS THE DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-41 by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-42 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING AND DESIGNATING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY FOR, SIGN REQUIRED
ASSURANCES, AND ADMINISTER CERTAIN LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS,
PROJECTS, AND GRANTS FOR THE ZERO-EMISSION LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT (ZELE) VOUCHER PROGRAM.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-42 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 26-43 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A LOCAL AUTHORITY RECOMMENDATION TO THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR OPPORTUNITY ZONE
2.0 DESIGNATION OF ELIGIBLE CENSUS TRACTS WITHIN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-43 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
7. RESOLUTION 26-44 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO TAYLOR BACKHOE SERVICE, INC. DBA TBS CONTRACTORS IN THE AMOUNT OF TWO MILLION, THREE HUNDRED
THIRTY-TWO THOUSAND, TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX DOLLARS AND NINETY-FOUR CENTS ($2,332,226.94) FOR THE MALDONADO PARK PHASE III PROJECT Motion to approve Res. No. 26-44 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
STAFF REPORTS
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Reported it was busy, with at the river. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – Nothing to report. City Manager, Ben Gallegos - Nothing to report.
City Engineer, Noe Marquez – Nothing to report.
City Council Minutes
July 20, 2026
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 Renteria – Asked Molina is his department is starting work earlier to avoid the high temperatures.
Molina replied, “Yes, we’re starting at 6:30 am.”
Council Member Valdez – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS - Requested a 10-minute recess.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY – None
Motion to enter closed session at 6:20 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez.
Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
8. Government Code Section 54957
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EVALUATION: Police Chief.
Motion to enter open session at 7:18 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 7:18 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.