CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 6, 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
Mayor Catherine " Cat" Moy called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
On roll call were Councilmembers Doug Carr, Doriss Panduro, Scott Tonnesen, and K.
Patrice Williams, Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, and Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy.
Councilmember Manveer Sandhu was absent.
C. INVOCATION Lieutenant Sheryl Flockhart of Salvation Army Lieutenant Sheryl Flockhart of the Salvation Army gave an invocation.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Manager David Gassaway led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Williams thanked the staff and participants who helped coordinate the community meeting regarding neighborhood landscaping in North Cordelia on May 1 at the Fairfield-Cordelia Library. She stated that the group decided they are not quite ready to vote on it, but anyone interested in being on the subcommittee should contact Ms.
Williams.
Councilmember Tonnesen reported that the Farmers Market opened on May 1 and will be open every Thursday from '3-7 pm at the Solano County Green through September.
Regarding the downtown area, he shared that the construction on the 1200 block of Texas Street is nearly completed and that they are now starting on the 700 block of Texas Street.
He thanked everyone for their patience and reminded folks that downtown businesses are still open for business during this time.
Councilmember Carr reported that he would hold a Listening Tour for District 3 on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Mankas Neighborhood Center. He shared that you do not have to live in District 3 to attend. He reported that he attended Parks and 1 Recreation's Junk in the Trunk event on May 3. He also attended the Library Literacy event with Councilmember Doriss Panduro on May 3, celebrating 30 years of literacy in Solano County.
Councilmember Panduro said the literacy event was very inspiring. She thanked the volunteer tutors who gave their time to teach other adults how to read. She said three of the learners shared their personal stories and journeys to becoming literate.
Vice Mayor Bertani thanked those who attended the National Day of Prayer on May 1 outside the Council Chamber. She said it was a lovely day for such a special event. She reported that the Fairfield Clergy Action Network (CAN) will hold its second Fresh Food Festival on May 28 at 1 pm at David Weir K-8 Preparatory Academy. She reported that the Landscape Oversight Committee would meet next on May 22 at 5 pm at the Public Works Corporation Yard, Lastly, she wished everyone a Happy Mother's Day! Mayor Cat Moy passed on giving a report due to a lengthy agenda.
F. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager David Gassaway had nothing to report.
G. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
City Attorney David Lim had nothing to report.
H. CITY CLERK REPORT
City Clerk Karen Rees reported that the Planning Commission has one open seat and to request an application, email [email protected].
I. PRESENTATIONS
1.1 Proclamation Declaring Public Service Recognition Week Presented by Councilmember Doug Carr
Councilmember Doug Carr presented a proclamation to Human Resources Director Farbod Pirouzmand declaring it "Public Service Recognition Week."
1.2 Employee Recognition Ceremony
Human Resources Director Pirouzmand spoke about the Employee Recognition Ceremony that took place earlier in the day at the Downtown Theatre. He thanked the staff for coordinating an excellent event. He said that Fairfield has the best employees that he has had the pleasure of working with and thanked them for their commitment to public service.
1.3 City Manager Commendation Awards
2 City Manager David Gassaway and City Council recognized the following city manager commendation awardees: Fire Administrative Technician Lead Anjurle Duchaussee, Planner Jessie Hernandez, Police Office Specialist Kelli Sievers, and Police Day Team 1 (ChrisTurner, David Neal, Franco Cesar, Frank Piro, Jennifer Cruz - Rios, Jeremy Morgan, Kevin Anderson, Michelle Belyea, Ray Hamilton, Rolando Sanchez, Sarah Hearn, Stephanie Doughty, and Tony Orsi). He congratulated everyone and thanked them for their service.
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jeff Trager spoke about events at the Downtown Theatre.
John Takeuchi shared that Fire Chief John Sturdee gave an excellent presentation about wildfires at the Solano County Republican Women's Club luncheon.
Tracy Nachand spoke about the serious dangers of second hand smoke and of vaping.
Terrence Strong passed out blank cards to council asking them to write a short note of encouragement .to a senior resident.
Carter Anderson spoke about Drag Racing Night on July 25 and invited council and the community to attend.
Milo Trejo (senior at Vanden High School) spoke about tobacco prevention in students.
Celyn Kelley spoke about Tobacco Free Solano Coalition.
K. CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no requests to speak on the consent calendar. The motion carried 6-0.
Moved by: Vice Mayor Bertani
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
To approve the consent calendar.
Motion Carried Unanimously
K.1 CM Approval of Meeting Minutes for March 2025
Approve the meeting minutes.
K.2 Resolution 2025-62 PD Authorization to Purchase and Use Military Equipment Adopt resolution. .
K.3 Resolution 2025-63 CD T Mobile Third Amendment
Adopt resolution.
K.4 Resolutions 2025-64 and 2025-65 PW Monte Verde Subdivision and Landscape Improvements Acceptance
3 Adopt resolutions.
K.5 Resolution 2025-66 PW Citywide Facilities Master Plan Adopt resolution.
K.6 Resolution 2025-67 PW Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Smith Ranch Assessment District Notice of Intent
Hold public hearing and adopt resolution.
K.7 Resolution 2025-68 PW Authorizing the Levy of Special Taxes within Community Facilities District No. 1 for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Adopt resolution.
K.8 Resolution 2025-69 PW Special Inspections for 2030 North Texas Recreation Center
Adopt Resolution.
L. NEW BUSINESS
L.1 Resolution 2025-70 PW Adopting the Public Utility Master Plan There were no requests to speak on Item L.1. The motion carried 6-0.
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Vice Mayor Bertani
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried Unanimously
L.2 CM Introduction of City of Fairfield General Purpose, Transaction and Use Tax (Sales Tax) Rate Increase
Assistant City Manager Savita Chaudhary gave a presentation. John Takeuchi and Steve Vancil spoke on Item L.2.
The council received the report. After a discussion, Mayor Moy appointed Councilmembers Panduro, Tonnesen, and Williams to a subcommittee for the sales tax rate increase.
Councilmember Carr made a motion for staff to proceed with a Request for Proposal. Councilmember Panduro seconded the motion. The motion. carried 6-0.
Receive report, open discussion, and provide direction to staff.
M. PUBLIC HEARINGS
M.1 Resolution 2025-71 HD Fiscal Year 2025-2026 CDBG Annual Action Plan 4 Senior. Project Manager LaTanya Terrones gave a presentation. Mayor Moy opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak or questions from the council.
Mayor Moy closed the public hearing.
Motion carried 6-0.
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Vice Mayor Bertani
Hold public hearing and adopt resolution.
Motion Carried Unanimously
M.2 PW Triennial Water System Report 2022-2024 on Public Health Goals Public Works Assistant Director (Utilities) Michael Hether gave a presentation.
Mayor Moy opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak or questions from the council. Mayor Moy closed the public hearing. No action was necessary by the council. Council received the report and thanked Mr. Hether for the excellent report.
BREAK at 7:57 p.m. Mayor Moy called a 10-minute recess before opening the final public hearing of the evening. The mayor called the meeting back to order at 8:10 p.m.
Hold public hearing.
M.3 Continued Resolution 2025-37 CD Commercial Cannabis - Authentic Fairfield LLC
Council meeting reconvened after a 10-minute recess at 8:10 pm.
Councilmember Scott Tonnesen and Vice Mayor Pam Bertani recused themselves from this item because each received a $5,000 campaign donation from The Bright Spot (Fairfield cannabis dispensary) in 2024. Both Councilmembers left the Council Chamber.
Mayor Moy reopened the continued public hearing. The following individuals spoke on Item M.3: Nicole Phillis (legal counsel for Authentic Fairfield LLC), Aletha Jones, Angelina Rojas, Josh Lewis, Alfredo Delgado, Glenn Loveall, Kimberley Walsh, Caitlin Meyers, Ron Turner, Tak Sato, and Cyrus P.
Attorney Ms. Phillis for Authentic Fairfield, LLC made an offer to the City during her comments offering a $750,000 settlement and reimbursement of legal expenses to defend any subsequent lawsuits in exchange for not pulling the 5 permit of Authentic Fairfield, LLC.
Following all public comments, Mayor Moy closed the public hearing.
City Attorney David Lim recommend that the City Council go into closed session pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(2) (Significant exposure to litigation against the local agency), with the existing facts and circumstances being the settlement offer conveyed by Ms. Phillis during the public hearing (Government Code 54956.9(e)(4) (Statement made by a person in open and public meeting) The City Council agreed to go into closed session. The closed session convened at 8:57 p.m., and everyone left the Council chambers except for councilmembers, City Attorney Lim, City Manager Gassaway, City Assistant Manager Chaudhary, Director of Community and Economic Development Zellers, and City Clerk Rees.
The Council came out of closed session and the public was re -admitted to the Council Chamber. City Attorney David Lim had nothing to report out of closed session.
The City Council deliberated and discussed the matter. Councilmember Panduro made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-37, rescinding the issuance of a commercial cannabis retail business permit to Authentic Fairfield, LLC.
Councilmember Carr seconded the motion.
Roll call vote:
Councilmember Williams - No
Councilmember Carr - Yes
Councilmember Panduro - Yes
Mayor Moy - No
Resolution 2025-37 did not pass, 2-2 (tie vote).
Moved by: Councilmember Panduro
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Hold public hearing and adopt resolution.
Tied
N. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:32 pm to Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 6 pm, Harry T. Price Memorial Council Chamber.
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Mayor City Clerk