CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 1, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
Harry T. Price Memorial Council Chamber
1000 Webster Street, Fairfield, CA 94533 or Via Zoom
A. CALL TO ORDER 6:00 PM
Vice Mayor Pam Bertani called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
On roll call were Councilmembers Doriss Panduro, Manveer Sandhu, Scott Tonnesen, K.
Patrice Williams, and Vice Mayor Pam Bertani. Councilmember Doug Carr and Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy were absent. ,
C. INVOCATION - Minister Loretta Roberson, Bethel Community Church Minister Loretta Roberson of Bethel Community Church led the invocation.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Panduro led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Williams reported that she attended the Archway Recovery Services grand opening on March 26 at St. Stephen's CME Church was well attended. She shared that she enjoyed the employee BBQ. She commented that the ribs and food from Budreaux Cajun Steakhouse were delicious; they are opening soon at 841 Texas Street.
Councilmember Tonnesen reported that Caymus Suisun Winery will be the major sponsor for the Professional Pickleball Tournament (PPA) happening at Allan Witt Park August 22- 24, 2025, at the Allan Witt Sports Center. He shared that more sponsors are needed.
Councilmember Panduro spoke about the new mural, "Fairfield in Bloom," painted by artist Sheree Rayford at 2001 North Texas Street (entrance to Linear Park). She shared that she participated in the Indian celebration of Holi on March 14, the main day of celebration, where people smear colored powders and water on each other, symbolizing unity and joy.
She invited the community to attend the Pinwheels for Prevention event for Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Fairfield Police Department on April 7. 1 Councilmember Sandhu reported that Vanden High School's Academic Decathlon squad won Division 4 honors on March 22 during the Academic Decathlon State Championship in Santa Clara. Sandhu shared that he was on the team when he was a student there. He attended the Solano Family Justice Center's Denim & Diamond fundraiser on March 28 with Police Chief Dan Marshall, and another event honoring the Tuskeegee Airman on March 29 to commemorate and honor the primarily Black pilots and airmen who served during World War II.
Vice Mayor Bertani thanked the Fairfield Clergy Action Network (CAN) for a successful Fresh Food Festival at Anna Kyle Elementary School on March 26. They distributed fresh food, fruits, and vegetables to 250 people. Anna Kyle is in a geographical area described as a "food desert," which means that fresh fruits and veggies are not easily accessible or affordable in that area. She invited the community to attend the National Day of Prayer hosted by the Fairfield CAN on May 1 at 12 p.m. in the Council Chamber.
F. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager David Gassaway reported he would attend a session at the California Legislature on April 2 to give testimony in support of Senate Bill 299, authored by our State Senator Christopher Cabaldon, which seeks to streamline and speed up the zoning ordinance process. He stated there were no changes to the agenda.
G. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney David Lim had nothing to report.
H. CITY CLERK REPORT
City Clerk Karen Rees reported that the Landscape Oversight Committee is still seeking applicants for District 2 (Councilmember Tonnesen's District 2). She stated that April 11 is the deadline for citizens to apply for the Fairfield 101 Civic Academy, which starts on May
7. I. PRESENTATIONS
1.1 Proclamation Declaring Education and Sharing Day Presented by Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy
Mayor Cat Moy presented the Education & Sharing Day proclamation to Rabbi Chaim Zaklos.
1.2 Proclamation Declaring National Volunteer Appreciation Month Presented by Councilmember Doriss Panduro
Councilmember Panduro presented a Volunteer Appreciation Month proclamation to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, VP of Development and Communications, Kim Castaneda.
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J. PUBLIC COMMENTS
John Tomko spoke about drivers speeding on his street, Nottingham Drive.
Jerry Woodrick asked about posting "No Littering" signs on Hilborn Road.
Phadra Ellis Lamkins spoke about the homeless population in the Green Valley area.
K. CONVENE JOINT MEETING OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY
Convened the joint meeting of the Successor Agency at 6:43 pm.
L. SUCCESSOR AGENCY - CONSENT CALENDAR
L.1 Resolution SA2025-01 CD Termination Document for Assessor Parcel Number 0148-540-030
There were no public requests to speak on this item.
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Manveer Sandhu
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried Unanimously
M. RECONVENE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Reconvened meeting of the City Council at 6:44 pm.
N. CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no public requests to speak on consent calendar items. The vote excluded Item N.1, which was pulled by the request of Councilmember Williams for discussion.
Motion carried unanimously (5-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Panduro
Seconded by: Councilmember Williams
To approve the consent calendar.
Motion Carried Unanimously
N.1 Resolution 2025-48 PW Amendment #1 to the Memorandum of Understanding for Cost -Sharing of the Lopes Road and Water Pipeline Reconstruction PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR: Councilmember Williams asked for Item N.1 to be pulled for discussion. Councilmember Williams made a brief comment. No one else wished to speak on this item. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Manveer Sandhu
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried Unanimously
N.2 Resolution 2025-49 PW Fairfield Adaptive System Traffic Signal Improvement Project Acceptance
Adopt resolution.
N.3 Ordinance 2025-03 PD Amending Chapter 12.800, Section 12.804 Infraction to Misdemeanor
Provide second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-03.
N.4 Resolution 2025-50 CM Memorandum of Understanding with Solano County and Solano Land Trust
Approve resolution.
N.5 CM Minute Action Approving Street Naming to Honor Mary Louise Marsh Approve street naming honoring Mary Louise Marsh.
0. NEW BUSINESS
0.1 CM Minute Action Approving the Mayor's Appointments There were no requests to speak on this item. City Clerk Rees administered the Oath of Office to the following: CDBG Advisory Committee Members Verna Brooks, Elaine Clark, DeAndre Richard, Tina Werblin (Harriet Strickland was unable to attend); Landscape Oversight Committee Member Le Troi Smith (District 6); and Youth Commissioners Ariel He -Wang, and Cian Wilson (Laren Dimaisip was unable to attend).
The item was passed unanimously (5-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Williams
Approve appointments. Perform oath of office.
Motion Carried Unanimously
0.2 PW Increasing the Number of At -Large Landscape Oversight Committee Members
4 Vice Mayor Bertani asked for a vote from the council on whether they wanted to increase the number of members for the Landscape Oversight Committee by two.
She voted yes, with Councilmembers Tonnesen, Williams, Panduro, and Sandhu voting no. The motion failed.
Council requested that staff draft an attendance policy for the Landscape Oversight Committee, using the Planning Commission's policy for guidance. Vice Mayor Bertani requested that staff replicate that policy. Public Works Sr. Management Analyst Chris Lewis stated that staff is already working on an update to the Landscape Oversight Committee Guidelines and Duties document and will incorporate the attendance policy as directed by Council.
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
0.3 PW Proposition 218 Balloting Process for Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts
John Takeuchi, Les Johnsen, Ms. Nosizwe Rah 'man, Bret Barrier, Jerry Widrick, Elaine Gatka, Rick Johnson, Carol Haddock, Phil Shoemaker, Bill Mayben, Jessie Bell, and Perry Pattis spoke on Item 0.3.
After a lengthy discussion, the council directed staff to release a Request for Qualifications for an assessment engineering consultant and ask the Landscape Oversight Committee to recommend the three LLMDs that should move forward with a second Prop. 218 balloting process.
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
0.4 Resolution 2025-51 FN City of Fairfield Community Facilities District No. 2016-1 Special Tax Bonds Issuance and Sale
Director of Finance John Furtado gave a presentation. No public speakers requested to speak on this item. The resolution passed unanimously (5-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Manveer Sandhu
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried Unanimously
P. PUBLIC HEARINGS
P.1 Resolutions 2025-52 and 2025-53 CD North Texas Street Business Improvement District
Real Estate Specialist Jennifer Rice gave a presentation.
Vice Mayor Bertani opened the public hearing. There were no public requests to 5 .9
speak. Vice Mayor Bertani closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Panduro made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-52.
Councilmember Sandhu seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimoulsy (5-0).
Councilmember Panduro made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-53.
Councilmember Sandhu seconded the, motion. The motion carried unanimously (5-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Panduro
Seconded by: Councilmember Manveer Sandhu
Hold public hearing and adopt resolutions.
Motion Carried Unanimously
ADJOURN
ADJOURNED MEETING AT 8:45 PM TO APRIL 15, 2025, TO THE HARRY T. PRICE MEMORIAL COUNCIL CHAMBER.
Mayor
City Clerk