CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 4, 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 Rick Vaccaro called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
On roll call were Councilmembers Doug Carr, Doriss Panduro, Manveer Sandhu, Scott Tonnesen, and K. Patrice Williams, Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, and Mayor Vaccaro.
C. INVOCATION - Youth Pastor Elliot Urbina of Liberty Church Youth Pastor Elliot Urbina of Liberty Church gave an invocation.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Tonnesen led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Williams announced that she wanted to address a growing problem of cyberbullying, doxing, cyberstalking, and online harrassment. She stated that public officials should expect criticism and disagreement, as those are part of public service and the democratic process. However, targeted harassment, threats, stalking, publishing private information, and using Al to create racist and dehumazing images is not acceptable or legitimate. She reported that in recent months she has been the victim of online harassment involving anonymous accounts, fake profiles, false information, digitally manipulated images intended to demean, intimidate and silence her.
Therefore, she has documented everything, filed a police report and requested guidance from Police Chief Dan Marshall and City Attorney David Lim. In light of this, she is planning to convene a community panel on cyberbullying that will help residents recognize online abuse, how to preserve evidence, protect their personal information and report credible threats. She shared that October is National Bullying Month and she plans to hold a live webinar on October 14 (which is National Stop the Bullying Day). For anyone interested in participating or being a panelist, please contact her. 1 Councilmember Tonnesen congratulated the owners of The Archer's Den in downtown Fairfield on their successful grand opening, noting the event was well attended and enjoyable for everyone. He also attended the quarterly downtown business owners meeting at Inventive, another new downtown business, where he learned about the positive momentum and exciting growth taking place in the downtown area. He recognized the opening of Sweet Home and Heart, a new premium assisted living care home in the Wood Creek neighborhood, and attended its ribbon -cutting ceremony. Next, he reported that the Annual Taste of Downtown on July 30 featured 12 participating restaurants and sold out for the third consecutive year, highlighting the event's continued popularity. Lastly, he attended two back -to -school resource events hosted by Bethel Community Church and Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, thanking the sponsors and volunteers for their dedication to supporting local families.
Councilmember Carr reminded folks the walking path around the Octo Inn Soccer fields is open and is a nice stroll in the evenings. He shared that he attended several of the events that were mentioned by his colleagues. Lastly, he announced that he has received positive feedback about his neighborhood from residents (District 3) when he's out walking.
Councilmember Panduro announced her excitement for the grand opening of Robbieburr Berger Park and Recreation Center at 2030 North Texas Street that is expected to open in mid -to -late September. She said the shiny new playground looks like FUN! And the First 5 Children's Center in Fairfield is located adjacent to the site (which is for ages 0-5, early education center). She reported that she attended the Back To School Resource Fair hosted by Fairfield Community Services Foundation, where 242 youth received band new athletic shoes, 51 free professional haircuts, 88 vision screenings, and 225 families received groceries and fresh produce. She thanked staff and community volunteers who helped make it a successful event.
Vice Mayor Bertani wished each and every student of the Travis Unified School District and the Fairfield -Suisun Unified School District a happy and healthy new school year which starts August 12. She wishes everyone a safe and productive year! Councilmember Sandhu gave a shout out to the Police Department for their cool social media post highlighting National Night Out to be held on the first Tuesday of October (October 6) and said he hopes everyone participates!
Mayor Vaccaro shared that he very much enjoyed the Taste of Downtown event on July
30. Next, he read the following statement:
The Fairfield City Council supports the right of individuals to exercise their First Amendment rights to speak on topics that are the business of the Fairfield City Council.
However, as Mayor I feel it is important to let our wider community know that while First Amendment rights give great protection to speakers on a variety of topics, the use of public comment to spew hate filled rhetoric or conspiracy theories against any person or group of people based on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other 2 protected class is abhorrant to the culture of exclusivity and diversity that make our community a wonderful place to live. So while individuals will always have the right to speak on matters protected by the First Amendment, as Mayor I will likewise exercise my right under the First Amendment to speak out against the rhetoric of hate and fear.
F. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager David Gassaway had nothing to report.
G. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
City Attorney David Lim had nothing to report.
H. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
City Clerk Karen Rees did not have a report.
I. PRESENTATIONS
1.1 Valley Strong Business Etiquette Gauntlet Scholarship Presentation to the Police Activities League .
Police Lt. Sam Rowland gave a brief presentation and introduced Michelle Prenez, Field Marketer of Valley Strong, to distribute the scholarships to first place winner, Alex Agustin Gonzalez Fierros, and second place winner Alahna Dotson. Alex was awarded $1,500 and Alahna was awarded $1,000 in scholarship funds for their dedication to service and excellence at PAL.
1.2 LS Power Summer Internship Scholarship Presentation to the Police Activities League
Police Lt. Sam Rowland gave a brief overview and presented a scholarship in the amount of $1,500 to PAL student Israel Jones for his dedication to excellence with his various responsiblities at PAL.
1.3 Sister City Exchange Program Presentation by Assistant to the City Manager Liz Aptekar
Assistant to City Manager Liz Aptekar gave a brief overview of the Fairfield- Nirasaki Sister City Program. Student Ambassador Ryan Lee gave a presentation, highlighting the Fairfield students visit to Nirasaki for two weeks June -July.
S\students are: Drew Davenport, Khloe Lam, King Watson, Ryan Lee, and Sofia Velasco. They were chaperoned by Deborah San Juan and had an amazing trip! Ms. Aptekar presented each member a certificate. For more information, visit fairfield.ca.gov/sistercitV
1.4 4th of July Parade Awards Presented by Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator Juan Segura
Parks and Recreation Program Coordinator Juan Segura presented awards to participants of the July 4 Independence Day Parade during the Fairfield City 3 Council meeting on August 4. The parade, celebrated as part of Fairfield's designation as an America 250 Pledge City, commemorated the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals spoke during public comment: Ryan Messano, Dave Harrison, Adeline Piazza, Adrienne LaCielo, Patrick Williams, Jeann McDouglad, Michael Jefferson, Rhamell Stevenson*, Ruthie Fisher*, Richard Ellison, Bahra Fisher, Lisa Murphy (online) and John Oliver.
* City Attorney David Lim left the dais when Minor MW's family spoke as they are represented by an attorney and are in potential litigation.
K. CONSENT CALENDAR
Monica Brown asked that Item K.5 be pulled for discussion.
After a separate presentation and vote in Item K.5, Councilmember Sandhu made a motion to approve the remainder of the consent calendar, excluding K.5. Councilmember Carr seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Sandhu
Seconded by: Councilmember Carr
To approve the consent calendar.
Motion Carried
K.1 Resolution 2026-161 PW FAST Transit Advertising Services Adopt resolution.
K.2 Resolution 2026-169 PW North Bay Regional Treatment Plant Expansion Bartle Wells Professional Services Agreement for Financial Consulting and Budget Adjustment
Adopt resolution.
K.3 Resolution 2026-170 PW Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Adjustment for the Smith Ranch Assessment District Phase Two Improvement Fund Adopt resolution.
K.4 Resolution 2026-171 PW Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Adjustment for the Storm Drains Maintenance Fund and Additional Contribution to the Vehicle Replacement Fund
Adopt resolution.
4 K.5 Resolution 2026-172 HD Second Amendment to the Development Loan Agreement with 212 E. Tabor Fairfield EAH, LLC and Amending Home and Local Housing Trust Fund Allocations for the Tabor Commons Affordable Housing Project
Monica Brown and Nicole Gordillo asked to speak on Item K.S, so the matter was pulled from the Consent Calendar. Ms. Brown and Ms. Gordillo spoke on Item K.S.
Vice Mayor Bertani made a motion to approve Item K.S. Councilmember Sandhu seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Vice Mayor Bertani
Seconded by: Councilmember Sandhu
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried
K.6 Resolution 2026-173 HD Amendment of the Memorandum of Understanding Renewal for the Provision of Temporary Emergency Shelter Operations Mission Samoa
Adopt resolution.
K.7 Resolution 2026-174 PD Approving Acceptance of the California Highway Patrol Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program 2026-2027
Adopt resolution.
L. NEW BUSINESS
L.1 Resolutions 2026-175 and 2026-176 CM Fairfield City Council in Support of Measures P and Q
Assistant City Manager and Human Resources Director Farbod Pirouzmand gave a brief overview. There were no requests to speak. Councilmember Carr made a motion to approve Resolutions 2026-175 and 2026-176. Councilmember Tonnesen seconded the motion. he motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Carr
Seconded by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Adopt the attached resolutions of the Fairfield City Council supporting Measure P and Measure Q appearing on the November 3, 2026 general election.
Motion Carried
L.2 Resolution 2026-156 PR Golf Volunteer Program
5 M.
City Manager David Gassaway gave a brief presentation. Chris Pedersen, Dennis Spiller, and James Birchall spoke on Item L.2. Vice Mayor Bertani made a motion to ask staff to return with Resolution 2026-156 at the next council meeting, adding the 30 volunteers at each golf course. Councilmember.Tonnesen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).
ADJOURN
Mayor Vaccaro adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m. to Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 6:00 pm, at the Harry T. Price Memorial Council Chamber.
E-SI b k Vaccaro E-S,%� D by K Rees
on 20 1 :fd'GMT on 2 ( �t6 33�NIT
Mayor City Clerk