MEETING MINUTES
The City Council/Successor Agency of the City of Firebaugh Vol. No. 26-09-21
Location of Meeting: Andrew Firebaugh Community Center
1655 13th Street, Firebaugh, CA 93622
Date/Time: September 21, 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 Engineers; Mario Gouveia; Stephanie Gonzales, Wanda Breashears, and Bobby Hogue and others.
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
Mrs. Breashears asked whether the State of the City event would be live-streamed. Bobby Hogue expressed concerns regarding the use of electric scooters and bicycles and asked the Police Department to enforce laws, like helmet requirements. He suggested working with the school to educate the kids on designated areas where kids could ride safely to avoid anyone getting hurt. Mr. Hogue noted that several children have been seen riding on sidewalks. Stephanie Gonzales recommended that State of the City be held after hours for working residents during the peak season. Mark of the Salvation Army thanked the city and City Manager Ben Gallegos for supporting their event. City of Mendota Mayor Pro Tem Jose Alonso stated he will not be able to attend the State of the City, but he worked with the City of Firebaugh, Bem, Pio, and Rita, volunteered at the Firebaugh Senior Center, and added that he appreciated that Ben gave him the opportunity
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Regular Meeting Minutes from August 17, 2026.
2. WARRANT REGISTER – Period starting August 1, 2026, and ending August 31, 2026.
August 2026 General Warrants #49866 - #50039 $ 973,074.37 Payroll Warrants #72922 - #72949 $ 204,175.83
Total Warrants $ 1,177,250.20
3. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND APPROVE CITY FACILITIES RENTAL AGREEMENT FORMS.
Motion to approve Consent Calendar by Council Member Jenkins, seconded by Council Member Perez; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
City Council Minutes
September 21, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
None
NEW BUSINESS
4. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH PRESENTATION ON WATER ISSUE UPDATE.
Informational item only.
5. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVING A
CONTRACT WITH LIEBERT CASSIDY WHITMORE CENTRAL VALLEY EMPLOYMENT FOR RELATIONS CONSORTIUM.
Motion to approve contract by Council Member Lopez, seconded by Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
6. THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FIREBAUGH HUMAN RESOURCE POSITION CLASSIFICATION: CONSIDERATION OF HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR OR HUMAN RESOURCE ANALYST, REVIEW OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS, AND CONSIDERATION OF SALARY SCHEDULE.
Motion for staff to return with HR Analyst job description and salary schedule as a separate agenda item by Council Member Renteria, seconded by Council Member Jenkins; motion passed by a 4-1 vote. Lopez – No.
STAFF REPORTS
Police Chief, Fernando Campa – Invited to Tranquillity, CA, for their Annual Red Ribbon Westside Parade event on October 4, 2026, and invited to speak at an AA Event on October 3, 2026, on education regarding the effects of Drunk Driving. Our SRO will attend e-bike training October 13 to 17, 2026, to educate students and review e-bike legislation.
Battalion Chief, Hector Marin – invited to a Public Safety Luncheon. Public Works Director, Michael Molina – getting ready for the carnival. City Manager, Ben Gallegos - attended the 2nd annual river cleanup event; 64 lbs. of litter was picked up. The program was sponsored by West Hills College. The City Manager thanked Public Works for the bags and bathrooms they provided. City Manager Gallegos and City Engineer Gouveia were successful in getting awarded a $170,000 grant to install two gates along the trail, near Dunkle and at the shop, to assist in closing the trail during flood concerns; it will be an additional improvement to the San Joaquin Trail Rehab grant. Gouveia Engineering and the City Manager were also successful in getting a $2 million grant for a charging station to be installed at the City Hall parking lot, and an over $2 million grant from Measure C funds for Safe Route to School at the schools to install beacons.
City Engineer, Mario Gouveia – Measure C pedestrian sign is about half a million. Work is in progress on the trails. 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 – Asked for the result of the vote on the last two agenda items, since she stepped out. Council Member, Felipe Perez - Nothing to report.
Council Member Jenkins – Nothing to report.
City Council Minutes
September 21, 2026
Council Member Renteria – asked if the city has a city ordinance to enforce kids wearing their helmets and recommended working with the schools to educate the students; suggested officers carry helmets in the patrol vehicles to hand out to kids without helmets. Asked the City Manager and the Finance Director to provide a report of all grants that were awarded, with awarded and remaining balances, and list funds to spend available before they expire. City Manager replied that he emailed Council about grants; one park grant was not awarded to the city. The City held, and Mayor Pro Tem attended, a town hall Mobile Park meeting. Inspector, property management, and residents attended; information was provided to them, and resources, like contact information, were provided. Council Member Valdez – Thanked everyone who attended the council meeting.
COUNCIL MEMBERS AGENDA ITEMS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS ONLY – None
Motion to enter closed session at 6:54 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: Police Chief
8. Government Code Section 54957.6
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS: City Manager Position Motion to enter open session at 7:43 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 7:43 pm by Council Member Jenkins and seconded by Council Member Perez. Motion passed by a 5-0 vote.