CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 19, 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 6:06 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 Moy. Councilmember Manveer Sandhu was absent.
C. INVOCATION - Chaplain Bill Limneos of the Fairfield Fire Department Pastor Bill Limneos of Grace Valley Church in Suisun City gave an invocation.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Bertani led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E. COUNCIL REPORTS
Vice Mayor Bertani thanked Paradise Valley Golf Course for hosting a town hall meeting regarding the Vista Ridge project on August 6 at the clubhouse; approximately 300 people attended the meeting. She reported that another town hall meeting on Vista Ridge (hosted by developer Danco) would be held on August 27, 5-7 pm, in Willow Hall at the Fairfield Community Center. Next, she reported that she attended the third annual Chapel Block Party on August 7 at Travis Air Force Base, bringing together Airmen, dependents, and local faith communities to build connections and further strengthen Travis' bond with the community. She stated the Air Force Band performed and that they are first-rate musicians.
Councilmember Panduro reported on a new business in District 5, "Fluff]" Bakery, located at 1731 N. Texas Street. They also have a shop in the Solano Town Center. She shared that she and Mayor Moy attended the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Solano County Chapter 10th Anniversary and Celebration of Young Leaders in Vallejo on August 8, celebrating the summer interns. The keynote speaker was California Senator Christopher Cabaldon. Lastly, she thanked all of the generous community partners who
hosted or volunteered at the various community backpack giveaway events held the past two weeks.
Councilmember Carr reported that he, Councilmembers Tonnesen and Panduro also attended the LOGIC backpack giveaway held on August 9, in addition to the others. He attended the Homeless Roundtable at the Fairfield Community Center on August 13, where 81 providers and 41 agencies were represented. The next HOPE (Homeless Outreach Partnership Event) is scheduled for October 8. Interested service providers can contact Homeless Services Manager Samantha Burrows at [email protected].
Lastly, he reported that Liberty Church will hold a Community Health and Wellness event on August 30, from 10 am to 1 pm. Homeless services will be provided for unhoused individuals.
Councilmember Tonnesen thanked the Fire Department staff for cooking hot dogs at the backpack giveaway at St. Mark's Lutheran Church on August 9. He thanked staff for coordinating,another successful Tomato & Vine Festival August 16-17. He said that Sunday was well attended as the car show is always a hit! Lastly, he invited the community to attend the Fairfield & Suisun Valley Professional Pickleball Association Tournament on August 22-24 at Allan Witt Park sponsored by Caymus Suisun Winery. Huge crowds are expected as there are 500 entries!
Councilmember Williams reported on the Lopes Road informational webinar she hosted on .August 7. Public Works engineering staff provided current status on the project and what to expect moving forward. For those who missed the webinar, visit fairfield.ca.gov/lopes for updates. She shared that she attended a N. Cordelia / Green Valley LLMD Task Force meeting recently that included a tour of landscaping in the area.
The next meeting for N. Cordelia / Green Valley LLMD is August 25, 5-7 pm at Solano EDC (above the Cordelia Library).
Mayor Moy reported that the toll lanes that are currently not active on Eastbound Interstate-80 will be live starting in December. Drivers can use those lanes like the toll bridges in the Bay Area (FasTrak transponders) to pay an electronic fee to use the fast lanes to go around traffic. Next, she spoke about Solano County Water Agency and that the State of California would like to take water from our main water source, Lake Berryessa. She said that she, other elected officials, and staff have been working hard to educate the water agency that the Lake is very different than other reservoirs - there is no snow melt. The only water source is rainfall. Mayor Moy will be testifying in Sacramento in the future regarding the water situation and will keep everyone informed.
F. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager David Gassaway reported that it is Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) 50th anniversary today. He attended a ceremony outside the Fairfield Transportation Center earlier in the day. FAST has been operating since 1975! G. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
2 Assistant City Attorney Abigail Ellerman had nothing to report.
H. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
City Clerk Karen Rees thanked Deputy City Clerk Esther Beavers for covering for her at the August 5, 2025, council meeting.
I. PRESENTATIONS
1.1 Sister City Exchange Program Presentation by Liz Aptekar Assistant to the City Manager Liz Aptekar presented certificates to the Fairfield student ambassadors who traveled to Nirasaki, Japan in July as part of the Sister City program. Student Ambassador Charlotte Bartoo talked about the experience she and her fellow ambassadors had while in Japan, while showing photos of their trip.
1.2 Legislative Update Presented by Liz Aptekar
Assistant to the City Manager Liz Aptekar and Legislative Lobbyist Jason Gonsalves of Joe Gonsalves and Son gave a legislative update.
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kris Garcia and Matt Bidou spoke'about traffic problems at Vanden High School on Markeley Lane.
Phil Bailey spoke about the lack of employee raises and poor morale among City staff.
Courtney Tindall spoke about her fear of speaking her mind at a recent town hall meeting regarding the Vista Ridge project on N. Texas Street.
Leslie Silver spoke about Archway Recovery Services.
George Kennedy spoke about the Professional Pickleball Tournament happening at Allan Witt Park on August 22-24.
Shannon Lovelace White spoke about "Molly's Angels," a non-profit in Napa that assists senior citizens.
Michael Meszaros and Jeff Trager spoke about upcoming events at the Downtown Theatre.
Karen Nemsick spoke about the United Way Bay Area's coordination of affordable housing meetings with Supervisor Cassandra James.
Gordon Hamlin spoke about Republic Services and the recent garbage workers' strike.
Reggie Sironen, Kelsey Morgado, and Laura Kelly spoke about the Vista Ridge project.
Ana Petero thanked Public Works employee Valerie Standfill and Communications Manager Bill Way for the excellent job they do in their respective positions. 3 Jose Carrizales, Ed Rezendes, and Andrew Peterson spoke about the Vista Ridge project.
On Zoom, "Anonymous," Zack Firestone, and Melvin Cowan also spoke about the town hall meeting for the Vista Ridge project.
K. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion carried unanimously (6-0). Item K.6 was approved separately.
Moved by: Vice Mayor Bertani
Seconded by: Councilmember Tonnesen
To approve the consent calendar.
Absent (1): Councilmember Sandhu
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
K.1 CM Approval of Meeting Minutes for July 2025
Approve the meeting minutes.
K.2 Resolution 2025-165 CM Solano County Animal Control Authority Board Designee
Adopt resolution.
K.3 Resolution 2025-166 PW Water System Technical Support Services Adopt resolution.
K.4 Resolution 2025-167 PW Construction Contract for the HSIPSL-5132(060) Kentucky Street & Broadway Street Striping Improvement Project (CPW070095) Adopt resolution.
K.5 Resolution 2025-168 FN Increase Contract Amount for Eide Bailly Agreement and Update the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget
Adopt resolution.
K.6 Resolution 2025-169 PR Downtown Theatre Amendment
Councilmember Williams requested Item K.6 to be pulled, so she could ask staff questions. There were no public comments on this item.
Motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Adopt resolution.
4 Motion Carried
L. NEW BUSINESS
L.1 CM Minute Action Approving the Mayor's Appointments Motion carried unanimously (6-0).
City Clerk Rees administered the Oath of Office to new Measure P Oversight Committee Member Quac Ma.
New members Deana Morad and Richard Romo were absent.
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Approve appointments. Perform oath of office.
Motion Carried
M. PUBLIC HEARINGS
M.1 Ordinance 2025-07 PW Amending Ordinance 2020-04 to Remove the Prohibition of use of Electric Bikes in Rockville Hills Regional Park Director of Public Works Sanjay Mishra gave a brief presentation.
Mayor Moy opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak. Mayor Moy closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to waive the full reading of Ordinance 2025-07, read by title only, and introduce the ordinance for first reading.
The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Hold public hearing; waive full reading, read by title only and introduce ordinance for first reading.
Absent (1): Councilmember Sandhu
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
M.2 Resolution 2025-170 FN Approval of Tax -Exempt Lease Purchase Financing Agreement
Director of Finance John Furtado gave a brief presentation. 5 Mayor Moy opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak. Mayor Moy closed the public hearing.
The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Adopt resolution.
Absent (1): Councilmember Sandhu
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
M.3 Resolution 2025-171 FN Appeal to Determine the Delinquent Transient Occupancy Tax for Motel Located at 2170 North Texas St
Mayor Moy opened the public hearing. City Clerk Rees swore in the following individuals: Attorney for the City of Fairfield David Lim, Attorney Frank Weiser (online) for defendants, John Furtado acting as City Tax Collector, and motel owners Sunny Khatri and Neville Parjanwade.
Mr. Weiser, Mr. Khatri, and Mr. Parjanwade spoke on Item M.3. Mr. Lim asked questions of Appellants.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion denying/overruling the appeal of the interest on the Delinquent Transient Occupancy and Tourism Tax (TOT) for Quality Inn (Previously known as Super 8 Motel).
Vice Mayor Bertani seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Vice Mayor Bertani
Hold a. public hearing and adopt resolution.
Absent (1): Councilmember Sandhu
Motion Carried (6 to 0)
N. ADJOURN
Adjourned meeting at 8:56 pm to Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 6 pm at the Harry T Price Memorial Council Chamber.
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Mayor
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