MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-08-17
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: August 17, 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; Noe Marquez and Danny Reed of City Engineers; Gouveia Engineering;
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Valdez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Motion to approve the agenda, by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
PRESENTATION
Gouveia Engineering – Provided an update on street improvement and grant projects.
PUBLIC COMMENT
A resident asked when the street sweeper goes by A.E. Mills because there is a lot of debris when he walks around the school; he’s tried to clean up the area himself. Raquel Tabares thanked everyone who attended the Sixto Maldonado run; there was a big turnout.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from August 3, 2026.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting July 1, 2026, and ending July 31, 2026.
July 2026 General Warrants #49698 - #49865 $ 1,772,275.37 Payroll Warrants #72894 - #72921 $ 203,815.88
Total Warrants $ 1,976,091.25
3. RESOLUTION NO. 26-22 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING EXTENSION OF DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH AND ELEMENT 7 FIREBAUGH LLC - REVISED DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT.
4. RESOLUTION NO. 26-48 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
CONCERNING MEASURE C EXTENSION LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PURPOSE PASS-THROUGH AND PROGRAM FUNDS ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR FY 2026-2027.
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 17, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
5. RESOLUTION NO. 26-47 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH
APPROVING THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BETWEEN THE CITY OF
FIREBAUGH AND OPTIMIZED INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC FOR INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES.
Motion to approve Res. No. 26-47 by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS PRE-NEGOTIATION TERMS RELATING TO POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH NUG, INC.
Information only.
7. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO CONSIDER THE CITY ISSUING A REQUEST
FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR CITY ENGINEERING SERVICES.
Information only. Discussion of cost and what the city is looking for.
8. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO DISCUSS A JOINT MEETING WITH THE FIREBAUGH LAS-DELTAS SCHOOL DISTRICT- SCHOOL RECOMMENDED SEPTEMBER 24, 2026.
Council consensus was that they could not commit to the proposed date, as it coincides with the first day of the annual carnival.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief, Fernando Campa – reported on the results of the DUI checkpoint. Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – participated in the Sixto Maldonado run event. Adam Gray was at the Fire Station today (August 17, 2026).
Public Works Director, Michael Molina – a Fire patrol vehicle is out of commission, with water in the motor; will be seeking repair quotes and/or new purchase quotes. Received repair quotes for the water issue from Filltronics; it will take about three to five days to repair. Everything will need to be disinfected to pass. Concern is that Toma Tek is working until the 1st week of October. Don’t recommend doing repairs now; the well won’t be able to sustain the city's water operations for the city. The crew is doing daily testing, and testing shows a decrease in the water issue. City Manager, Ben Gallegos - Starting construction soon on the Maldonado Park Phase III expansion. Working with Tesla on charging stations and to receive some compensation. Working with a company for pre-construction on the wastewater project. Ben and Hector attended a webinar with Wonderful and are seeking their support to get a new brush truck.
City Engineer, Noe Marquez – Working on coordinating with the Water District Board to start construction on the Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is a grant project over $ 20 million. 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 – wanted to emphasize to the employees a thank you for all they do; it can be stressful.
City Council Minutes
August 17, 2026
Council Member, Felipe Perez - “I agree. Thanks to all of you, I appreciate what you are doing at the outdoor market, people really, very happy because they have someone local and speak the language. They can ask and make the question, and you are open to them. They are really, really to you and the kids too. Thank you very much.” Council Member, Jenkins – Thanked the staff, keep the hard work up, and let us (council) know about the truck. Council Member Renteria – Asked for an update on the new hires for Public Works, Police Dept., and Human Resources. City Clerk responded, stating the Public Works advertisement is prepared and will be emailed to council for approval for publishing. The Human Resources job descriptions have also been emailed to council for review and direction regarding whether the City should pursue a Human Resources Director or Human Resources Analyst position. The City Clerk noted that the information was provided in advance due to the amount of material required review and that no feedback or comments had been received. The City Clerk also reported that quotes are being obtained from Human Resources consultants to provide training and guidance to the new Human Resources employee, as needed. The City Manager stated that staff will return with the requested information at the second City Council meeting in September, consistent with direction provided at the previous meeting. The Police Chief reported that the Records Supervisor is preparing Police Department job advertisements for publication. Mayor Pro Tep Renteria thanked everybody who was out there, a special thanks to Public Works. They were out there by 5:00 in the morning to clean and set up. I received a lot of compliments on how great the park looked, and excited and interested in Phase III.
Council Member Valdez – We’ll be looking at September 23, 2026, for the State of the City; hopefully the flyer will be out soon. In November, the EDC would like to host a meeting in Firebaugh to showcase the downtown infill project.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY – None
Motion to enter closed session at 6:34 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 8:27 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER CLOSED SESSION
City Council announced that, after deliberation, Council has given the City Manager an unsatisfactory evaluation, with no raise. We will begin the solicitation process for a new City Manager by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 4-1 vote. Lopez - no.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn at 8:28 pm by Council Member Jenkins and second by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.