MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-08-03
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: August 3, 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 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; Police Chief, Fernando Campa; City Engineer, Noe Marquez; PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda with an amendment to remove agenda item #3, by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Stephanie Gonzales expressed that she appreciates the City Council’s support of local organizations and believes it is great when organizations come together to support community activities. She inquired about the criteria the City Council uses for waiving facility rental fees, including whether there is a limit on the number of times rental fees may be waived or a maximum amount that may be waived for an organization. She also asked what accommodations the City Council is making regarding the waiver of rental fees.
Raquel Tabares invited and reminded everyone about the Maldonado Run scheduled for August 16, 2026, at 7:00 a.m.
Mr. Martinez asked about the City’s process for filling potholes on City streets and expressed his main concern regarding Main Street/Highway 33 near Subway. He also stated that he had seen the plans for Maldonado Park and thought they were great. He thanked the City for installing the disc golf course, which he recently played and enjoyed.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from July 20, 2026.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
August 3, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
2. RESOLUTION NO. 26-46 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 26-35, 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 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.
Public Hearing open at 5:38 p.m. – No comment given. – Hearing closed at 5:39 p.m.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-46 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
NEW BUSINESS
3. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER THE REQUEST BY FIPOA FOR
THE USE OF THE VFW HALL AND WAIVER OF FEES FOR A BINGO FUNDRAISER TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 19, 2026.
Removed from the agenda
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-45 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY - 1148 O STREET – APN 008-074-17.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-45 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
5. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND DISCUSS CITY FACILITIES RENTAL AGREEMENT FORMS.
Council Member Lopez asked the City Attorney to review the City’s regulations. Council Member Renteria asked staff to standardize all applications, stating that if forms are translated into Spanish, the translations should be completed in proper form and that the entire document should be translated rather than only certain sections. She also agreed with staff’s recommendation to have the forms printed with carbon copies in sets of three.
City Council directed staff to bring back all applications for final review before printing and finalizing.
6. HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR POSITION, INCLUDING JOB DESCRIPTION, SUPERVISION, AND SALARY.
City Council directed staff to continue working on the job description. Council discussed outsourcing the hiring process to a consulting firm; however, not all Council Members were in favor of this approach. Council directed staff to create a recruitment flyer and obtain estimates from HR consultants to provide guidance and support to the City employee who will be responsible for HR duties. Staff will bring the information back to the City Council for further consideration at a future meeting.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief, Fernando Campa – the Records Supervisor has completed the job announcement for the Corporal position and is currently working on the job announcements for the Police Officer and Dispatcher positions.
City Council Minutes
August 3, 2026
Public Works Director, Michael Molina – we had a structure fire, a two-bedroom house; it shouldn’t be a total loss.
The volunteers did a great job and were able to save it. Public Works staff reported that the City has been receiving complaints regarding water clarity and that staff is aware of the issue and has been working to resolve it. Staff has been collecting water samples throughout the day, including at 3:00 am. The State Water Board has indicated that the test results show the water is safe for consumption, although it remains discolored. Residents have expressed concerns about brown water coming from the hydrants when staff is flushing them. Staff explained that the initial brown coloration is caused by the barrel inside the hydrant. When the hydrant is flushed, the water becomes clear. A welder was brought in to repair the drainpipe on the filter that was blown out. Staff have also been checking to see if the issue is within the water system. The system was temporarily shut down to allow staff to inspect the interior before being placed back into service, but staff explained that when the system is temporarily shut down, it causes the water levels to drop; it pulls up all minerals and sediment at the bottom of the well, so the system was flushed at the bottom.
Although the water clears after a backwash, this process significantly drains the well, reducing the City’s available water supply. Staff reported that the final option would be to shut down one of the City’s wells and one of the filters.
However, doing so would affect the entire community’s water supply and could require the City to implement its water conservation plan, which would be challenging for businesses that are currently at the peak of their season. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – Nothing to report.
City Manager, Ben Gallegos - Nothing to report.
City Engineer, Noe Marquez – Working on a report on city projects to present at a future meeting. Deputy City Clerk, Rita Lozano – Nothing to report.
Finance Director, Pio Martin – Nothing to report.
City Attorney, Christina Smith – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Elsa Lopez – Nothing to report.
Council Member, Jenkins – Add City Engineer to agenda. Council Member Renteria – Thanked the staff for addressing the water issues and thanked staff for the late nights. Council Member Valdez – Nothing to report.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY – None
Motion to enter closed session at 6:19 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez.
Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
CLOSED SESSION
7. Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION: City Manager
Motion to enter open session at 6:56 pm 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 6:56 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.