Docusign Envelope ID: FDB88268-0939-87AA-8156-10568B71DDFF J
CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
May 5, 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
Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
On roll call were Councilmembers Doug Carr, Doriss Panduro, Manveer Sandhu, Scott Tonnesen, K. Patrice Williams, Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, and Mayor Moy.
C. INVOCATION - Pastor Oneal Young, Jr. of Greater Purpose Church Pastor Oneal Young, Jr. of Greater Purpose Church provided an invocation.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Panduro led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember K. Patrice Williams reported on wishing her son Myles a happy 24th birthday. When Myles was an infant, she wrote him a letter to live fearlessly and never hold back. She realized she was not living fearlessly and is holding back. Councilmember Williams reflected on law school and becoming a community leader.
Councilmember Scott Tonnesen reported on attending the League of California Cities where he shared ideas with other cities' mayors and councilmembers.
Councilmember Doug Carr reported on the H.O.P.E. event taking place on May 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Liberty Church located on 2461 N. Texas Street. There will be resources on food, clothing, showers, and much more. Councilmember Carr also spoke about the Travis Air Force Base (TAFB) Air Show and how wonderful it was but it was very windy. He also stated that May 7 is his wife's birthday and wanted to wish her a happy birthday.
Councilmember Doriss Panduro also reported on the TAFB Air Show and saw the Thunderbirds. Councilmember Panduro spoke that a home town hero Fire Captain Francisco Trujillo was selected to ride in Thunderbird #8. She spoke about how CAP Solano 1 Docusign Envelope ID: FDB88268-0939-87AA-8156-10568B71DDFF is in the process of searching for an executive director. They are also in the process of conducting an RFP for a coordinated entry system called Abode. FSUSD quarterly meeting.
August 8 is the Back to School Resource Fair at St. Mark's from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and they are accepting volunteers, donations, and sponsors. She stated that today is Cinco de Mayo which commemorates the Mexican army's unexpected 1862 victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla.
Vice Mayor Pam Bertani reported that the Fairfield CAN is having a National Day of Prayer event on May 7 from 12-1 p.m. in the courtyard area in City Hall. There will be a Public Table event on May 9 at the Mankas Neighborhood Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is a Juneteenth event on June 19 from 4-7 p.m. on the County lawn. There will also be a Band of Belivers Unity in the Community event on July 26, from 5 -7 p.m. in the civic center.
Councilmember Manveer Sandhu reported on the League of California Cities where he had the chance to speak with Assemblymember Lori Wilson about passing a state credit income tax credit for veterans so they can claim up to $20,000 and he also attended the TAFB Air Show.
Mayor Cat Moy had no report.
F. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager David Gassaway reported on Public Employee Recognition Week.
G. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
City Attorney David Lim reported at the April 21, 2026, City Council meeting, the City Council had discussions and provided direction to staff regarding the future state of the Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts (LLMD) assessment refunds and that the discussion was held with a waiver of the attorney client privilege in open session. At that time, the councilmembers voted 6-1 with Councilmember Sandhu voting "no" to set the assessment rates for the upcoming 2026-2027 years for eight LLMDs to the 1996 levels.
The council discussed how much if any refunds for those eight districts which are LLMDs 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 13. The council deadlocked at that meeting 3-2-2 whether to pay a refund of the difference of the four years from the 1996 levels, a difference of the one year from the 1996 levels, or to issue a full refund. At 11:30 p.m., the council voted 7-0 unanimously to continue the item to the May 5, 2026, City Council meeting, but also instructed the city attorney to set the matter for close session on May 5, 2026, at 5 p.m.
At 5:00 p.m. the City Council met in closed session and had a discussion to continue to see if they could break the deadlock on how much to issue for the refund on a vote of 5-2 (Mayor Moy and Vice Mayor Bertani voting no) with a motion by Councilmember Tonnesen, seconded by Councilmember Carr, the motion provide a refund difference of four years from the current levels minus the 1996 assessment levels. To clairfy that the refund difference that the council authorized is going to be automatic. There is not going to be a need for any residents in those eight LLMDs to submit any requests for a refund.
They will receive the difference for the four years of the current rates for those years 2 Docusign Envelope ID: FDB88268-0939-87AA-8156-10568B71DDFF minus the 1996 assessment levels.
Mayor Moy stated that item M.3 is pulled because it was resolved in closed session. She also stated that if residents applied to receive the full refund, they will receive the full refund, but residents will automatically receive the full refund. There will also be a simple form to fill out on the City's website along with FAC[s.
H. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
Deputy City Clerk Esther Beavers reported that there are currently three seats open on the Planning Commission and encouraged residents to apply. The deadline is June 5, 2026.
There is also a seat open for District 2 on the Landscape Oversight Committee and several seats open on the Youth Commission. Please apply at fairfield.ca.gov/apply. Deputy City Clerk Beavers also mentioned that May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the first week of May is Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
I. PRESENTATIONS
1.1 Employee Recognition Ceremony Presented by Assistant City Manager/Human Resources Director Farbod Pirouzmand
Assistant City Manager/Human Resources Director Farbod Pirouzmand provided a presentation on the Employee Recognition Ceremony.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rick Johnson spoke about the Vista Ridge Debt Structure.
Patrick Williams spoke about Councilmember K. Patrice Williams.
Sahej Takar spoke about the Tobacco Retail License Resolution.
K. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Carr made a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. Councilmember Panduro seconded it. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Carr
Seconded by: Councilmember Panduro
To approve the consent calendar.
Motion Carried
K.1 Resolution 2026-67 HD Committing $850,000 in HOME funds and Increasing Housing Trust Fund Commitment from $1,000,000 to $1,150,000 for the Tabor Commons Project
Adopt resolution.
Docusign Envelope ID: FDB88268-0939-87AA-8156-10568B71DDFF K.2 Resolution 2026-68 CD Operating Memorandum No. 1 with One Lake Holding, LLC for Vanden Road Improvements
Adopt resolution.
K.3 Resolution 2026-69 PW Canon Station Planning Area 5 — Neighborhood J & K-2 Subdivision Acceptance
Adopt resolution.
K.4 Resolution 2026-70 PW Construction Contract for the East Tabor Avenue/Tolenas Road Safe Routes to School and Sidewalk Gap Closure Project Adopt resolution
K.5 Resolution 2026-71 PW Markeley Lane Reconnection Project PSA Amendment No. 2 for NEPA Clearance
Councilmember Sandhu asked to pull Item K.S. Item K.5 was pulled from consent calendar and considered separately.
Councilmember Sandhu requested this item to be pulled out of the Consent Calendar. He asked about the status of the Markeley Lane Project. Public Works Director Sanjay Mishra stated that the next step is land acquisition and environmental study. Councilmember Sandhu asked about the timeline of completion of this project and Public Works Director Mishra responded that the environmental study typically takes about 6-8 months and land acquisition is dependent on the land owners. Mayor Mot spoke about the importance of this project and needing it to be completed for emergencies.
Councilmember Sandhu made a motion to approve the resolution. Mayor Moy seconded it. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Sandhu
Seconded by: Mayor Moy
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried
L. PUBLIC HEARINGS
L.1 Resolution 2026-72 HD Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan Management Analyst Miesha Garnett provided a presentation on the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan. Mayor Moy opened the Public Hearing. There were no public comments. Mayor Moy closed the Public Hearing.
4 Docusign Envelope ID: FD888268-0939-87AA-8156-10568B71 DDFF Vice Mayor Bertani made a motion to approve the resolution. Councilmember Sandhu seconded it. Motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Vice Mayor Bertani
Seconded by: Councilmember Sandhu
Hold a public hearing and adopt resolution.
Motion Carried
M. NEW BUSINESS
MA CD Contract Negotiations with the Downtown Theatre Foundation for the Arts Director of Community and Economic Development Dave Zellers provided a presentation. There were no public speakers.
Councilmember Carr made a motion and Councilmember Panduro seconded for the Downtown Theatre Foundation for the Arts to have a three year contract with an option for two 18 months extensions with detailed annual reports. Motion carried 6-1 with Councilmember Williams voting "no."
The council unanimously agreed to have two City staff become members of the DFTA board and report back to council.
M.2 PW Proposition 218 Balloting Process in Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District No. 13 — North Cordelia and Recognize the Green Valley Community Landscape Group as a Primary Community Liaison
Senior Management Analyst Chris Lewis provided a presentation.
Nora Dizon spoke on this item.
Motion by Williams, Second by Bertani to support efforts of Green Valley Community Landscape Group. Motion carried unanimously (7-0). The council unanimously applauded the success of the Green Valley Community Landscape Group as a primary community liaison.
M.3 Continuation from April 21, 2026: CM Discussion and Direction Regarding the Future State of Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance Districts and Assessment Refunds
This item was pulled as it was resolved during Closed Session and announced out during City Attorney reports.
M.4 Receive and File Presentation on Vista Ridge Appraisal Director of Housing Services LaTanna Jones provided a presentation. 5 Docusign Envelope ID: FDB88268-0939-87AA-8156-10568B71DDFF Rick Johnson, Elaine Gatka, Nora Dizon, Sue Campbell, and Carol Haddock spoke on this item. City Attorney Lim recused himself from the chamber pursuant to State Bar Rule 4.2 during comments by Ms. Haddock since she is Plaintiff in active litigation against the City.
Vice Mayor Bertani stated that the appraisal is new information that was important to the vote that was made in November 2025 City Council meeting and requested that the vote for Vista Ridge need to be reconsidered by the council.
City Attorney Lim warned council that the City is currently in active litigation in regards to Vista Ridge under the matter of Tan vs Haddock vs the City of Fairfield and urged the council to table this matter and go into closed session.
Mayor May is agendizing the reconsideration of the Vista Ridge project in a future City Council meeting.
The City Council went into closed session at 8:30 p.m. and came out of closed session at 8:56 p.m. and the city attorney had nothing to report out.
Mayor May is agendizing the reconsideration of the Vista Ridge Project and reviewing all the new material that was released in a future City Council meeting.
She also submitted a Public Records Act (PRA) request for the bod cam footage of the code enforcement officer who attended the inspection at the Sure Stay Hotel before it was appraised or during the time it was appraised.
N. ADJOURN
Mayor Moy wished her daughter Zen happy birthday. Mayor Moy adjourned the meeting at 8:59 p.m.
Signed by:
W81 �
9A7D7D04C9C4E3... Mayor
6 JSigned by:
822�/RAW---
95809D83042B... City Clerk