CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
January 20, 2026, 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 7:21 pm, as the prior closed session meeting ran long.
She asked City Attorney David Lim to report out on the closed session held just prior to the council meeting on January 20, 2026, at 4 p.m. Mr. Lim reported on Item F.2, City Council continued conference with legal counsel on anticipated litigation pursuant to Gov.
Code 54956.9 (d)(2)-(4) to March 10, 2026 at 4:30 pm in the Harry T. Price Memorial Council Chamber on the matter, which is the continued investigation into potential quo warranto process regarding Mayor Catherine Moy. The point of contact for this item will be Attorney Gary Winuk, as City Attorney David Lim must recuse himself due to a conflict of interest.
B. ROLL CALL
On roll call were Councilmembers Doug Carr, Doriss Panduro, Manveer Sandhu, Scott Tonnesen, and K. Patrice Williams; and Vice Mayor Bertani. Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy was absent.
C. INVOCATION - Pastor Karen Stetins of St. Mark's Lutheran Church There was no invocation. Pastor Stetins of St. Mark's had another meeting to attend - as the council meeting started one hour and 20 minutes late due to closed session running late.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Sandhu.
E. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Sandhu reported at the end of December 2025, he toured Potrero Hill Landfill for the first time. He said the experience was eye-opening. He asked everyone to try to produce a little bit less trash. On January 19, he had the privilege of attending the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn, and later also visited the PAL Center and saw first-hand Kaiser Permanente staff painting the walls and helping to 1 beautify the site. He thanked them for their dedication to our community. He later attended the MLK Jr. Day 6th annual celebration in Vacaville where California State Senator Christopher Cabaldon spoke. Lastly, he attended the MCE meeting (the meeting ended at midnight).
Councilmember Panduro wished everyone a Happy New Year and said she looks forward to a successful 2026. She announced that January 22 at 6:30 p.m. is the first CAP Solano JPA meeting of the year. Every year the board chairs and vice chairs are rotated from the seven cities in Solano County. This year it is Fairfield's turn to serve as chair so Councilmember Panduro will serve in that role, and a representative from Rio Vista will serve as Vice -Chair. Councilmember Carr is an alternate on the board. Public is welcome to these monthly meetings - the third Thursday of the month at the Solano County Event Center.
Councilmember Carr reported that volunteers are needed for the Point In Time count (PIT) to count homeless individuals in the community the morning of January 29, 2026.
Anyone interested, please email Samantha Burrows at [email protected]. He also reported that he attended the MLK Jr. Breakfast, which he said is always a special event.
Lastly, he announced the next Homeless Roundtable would be held on April 22 at Willow Hall. More information will follow.
Councilmember Tonnesen announced that a new wine bar and grill "The Main Grape" is open in downtown on 721 Texas Street. It is the second location for the owners as they also own "The Main Grape" on Main Street in Vacaville. He encourage folks to patronize businesses in downtown and shared that businesses are open despite the construction - which he said should be completed by July.
Councilmember Williams announced she is always proud to attend the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast hosted by the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) - Fairfield, Suisun, Vacaville Section. She reported that the NCNW was founded in 1935 and today has over four million members! She said that Keynote Speaker Assemblymember Lori Wilson did an excellent job and was very inspirational. Assemblymember Wilson spoke of the MLK's "Urgency of Now" and her words truly resonated with Councilmember Williams. Next, she invited the community to attend the City Council Retreat this weekend.
Vice Mayor Bertani said she would forego a report due to the late start, but wished everyone a very Happy New Year 20261
F. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager David Gassaway announced the Council Retreat which is scheduled for Friday, January 23, from 5-8 pm and Saturday, January 24, from 9 am to 3 pm and that it is open to the public. He said people can view the meeting online on Zoom. Next, he reported that the State of the City event and breakfast will happen February 19, 2026, from 8 am to 10 am at the Hilton Garden Inn, hosted by the Fairfield -Suisun Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are on sale at www.fairfield.ca.gov/tickets . 2 Regarding the agenda, Mr. Gassaway stated that in the interest of time, Items L.2, L.3, and L.4 under New Business would be brought back at a future meeting due to the lengthy closed session held prior to the council meeting.
G. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
City Attorney David Lim reported that in Workers Compensation matters of Brett Morris v. City of Fairfield, Workers Compensation Appeals Board cases ADJ18896472, Council authorized an award to be made on November 3, 2025, and in the case ADJ 18896494, Council authorized an award to be paid on October 18, 2025. The full amount and details can be found on the Workers Compensation Appeals Board website.
G.1 Settlement in Workers Compensation matters of Brett Morris v. City of Fairfield, Workers Compensation Appeals Board cases ADJ18896472 (Award made 11/3/2025) and ADJ 18896494 (Award made 10/18/25)
H. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
City Clerk Karen Rees did not have a report.
I. PRESENTATIONS
1.1 Proclamation Declaring Martin Luther King Jr. Day Presented by Vice Mayor Pam Bertani
The President of the Tri-City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Nikila Walker Gibson was not in attendance, so Vice Mayor Bertani did not present the proclamation. City Clerk Rees stated she would see that Ms.
Gibson received it.
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS
E.J. Johnson spoke about upcoming events at the Downtown Theatre.
K. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve the consent calendar (excluding Item K.7, which was voted on separately). Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
To approve the consent calendar.
K.1 CM Approval of Meeting Minutes for December 2025
Approve the meeting minutes.
Motion Carried
3 K.2 Resolution 2026-01 CM Amendment 9 Legislative Consultant Services Solano Transportation Authority and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP Adopt resolution.
K.3 Resolution 2026-02 PD California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program Grant
Adopt resolution.
K.4 Resolution 2026-03 PW Agreement with Fairfield -Suisun Sewer District for Solano Bayshore Resiliency Project
Adopt resolution.
K.5 Resolution 2026-04 PW Amendment No. 1 to Land Acquisition for Train Station Specific Plan Planning Area 1 Development
Adopt resolution.
K.6 Ordinance 2025-13 PW Repeal and Replace Chapter 22 of the Fairfield Municipal Code
Waive full reading, provide second reading by title only, and adopt Ordinance 2025-13.
K.7 Resolution 2026-05 PR Approving City Sponsored Special Events Calendar Councilmember Williams asked for Consent Item K.7 to be pulled for clarification.
Staff answered her question.
Councilmember Williams made a motion to approve Item K.7. Councilmember Tonnesen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Williams
Seconded by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried
K.8 Resolution 2026-06 FN Investment of Fairfield Public Financing Authority Monies into Local Agency Investment Fund
Adopt resolution.
K.9 Resolution 2026-07 FD Type I Pumper Truck Purchase and Budget Increase Adopt resolution.
K.10 Resolution 2026-08 FD Tablet Command Software Renewal Adopt resolution.
4 L. NEW BUSINESS
L.1 Resolution 2026-09 FN Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the Draft Schedule of Expenditures for Federal Awards Report Director of Finance John Furtado gave a presentation. There were no requests to speak.
Councilmember Panduro made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-09.
Councilmember Carr seconded the motion.
The motion carried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Panduro
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried
L.2 Resolution 2026-10 CD North Texas Street Revitalization Program Due to the late start of the council meeting, Item L.2 will be continued to a future meeting.
Adopt resolution.
L.3 Resolution 2026-11 PR Naming Rights
Due to the late start of the council meeting, Item L.3 was continued to a future meeting.
Adopt resolution.
L.4 Resolution 2026-12 HR Authorizing and Adopting Changes to City Manager's Compensation and Benefits
Due to the late start of the council meeting, Item L.4 was continued to a future meeting.
Adopt resolution.
M. PUBLIC HEARINGS
M.1 Resolution 2026-13 and Ordinance 2026-01 CD Housing Element Compliance Senior Planner Vicrim Chima gave a presentation.
Vice Mayor Bertani opened the public hearing. Mike O'Hara spoke on Item M.I.
Vice Mayor Bertani closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-13.
Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). 5 Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Hold public hearing; adopt resolution; waive full reading, read by title only and introduce ordinance for first reading.
Motion Carried
M.2 Resolution 2026-14.PW Annexing Territory (Courage Investments Warehouse) to CFD 2012-2 and, Resolution 2026-15 Declaring Results of Special Election Management Analyst Valerie Standfill gave a brief presentation.
Vice Mayor Bertani opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak.
Vice Mayor Bertani closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-14.
Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. The motion caried unanimously (6-0).
City Clerk Rees opened the ballot and read that it was 4 yes votes, in favor of annexation.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-15.
Councilmember Panduro seconded the motion. The motion caried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Hold public hearing and adopt Resolution 2026-14.
Amendment:
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Panduro
Hold public hearing and adopt Resolution 2026-15.
Motion Carried
Motion Carried
M.3 Resolution 2026-16 PW Annexing Territory Archway Recovery Services to CFD 2012-2 and Resolution 2026-17 Declaring Results of Special Election Management Analyst Valerie Standfill gave a brief presentation.
Vice Mayor Bertani opened the public hearing. There were no requests to speak.
Vice Mayor Bertani closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Carr made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-16.
Councilmember Tonnesen seconded the motion. The motion caried unanimously (6-0).
City Clerk Rees opened the ballot and read that it was 2 yes votes, in favor of annexation.
Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-17.
Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. The motion caried unanimously (6-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Carr
Seconded by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Hold public hearing and adopt Resolution 2026-16.
Motion Carried
Amendment:
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
Hold public hearing and adopt Resolution 2026-17.
Motion Carried
N. ADJOURN
Vice Mayor Bertani adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. in memory of former Councilman Jack Batson, who served on council from 1999 to 2007 and was a dedicated teacher at Armijo High School for 30 years. Jack died recentlyfrom metastatic cancer. The Vice Mayor and others said they will miss Jack and thanked him for his many years of service to Fairfield. The flag at City Hall has been flying at half-staff in Jack's honor. The next council meeting is Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 6 pm at the Harry T. Price Memorial Council Chamber.
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