CITY OF FAIRFIELD
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
August 18, 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 (online), Scott Tonnesen, K. Patrice Williams, Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, and Mayor Rick Vaccaro.
C. INVOCATION - Pastor John Reed of Fairfield Church of Christ Pastor John Reed of Fairfield Church of Christ gave an invocation.
D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Carr led the Pledge of Allegiance.
E. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Williams thanked her community and support -system during a barrage of hostile attacks online against her. She especially thanked the Solano-Napa Chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), Emerge Career Solano County Workforce Board, other local elected officals, neighbors, and labor and trade groups, who have all reached out to offer support and to make certain she is okay. This has made her think of how love equals community. That even if people disagree about the vision of Fairfield, people can do so with respect.
Councilmember Tonnesen reported that he attended several backpack giveaways recently, including one at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, which served 700 hot dogs at its event. The ever -popular Kid Day 707 event at Laurel Creek Park celebrated its 10-year anniversary. NorthBay Church hosted a car wash, and the 35th Annual Tomato & Vine Festival featured a competitive tomato -eating contest between the Fire and Police Departments. Lastly, he thanked Solano County for renovating its building at 701 Texas Street, noting that the exterior looks great.
1 Councilmember Carr stated he would like to see the Tomato & Vine Festival expanded next year. He reported that the next Homeless Outreach Partnership Event (HOPE) would be held on September 30 in Willow Hall at the Fairfield Community Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He asked Mayor Vaccaro if he could adjourn the meeting in memory of his mother- in-law Lynn Pile, who passed away last week.
Councilmember Panduro reported she attended the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) 2026 Annual Conference, themed "Rooted in Resilience," August 5-7 in Napa, as a member of the Fairfield -Suisun Sewer District Board. She and her colleagues leared about wastewater infrastructure funding, regulatory updates, circular resources and other key topics. She wished all students and teachers a safe and productive school year. Lastly, she stated publicly that she condemns the hateful rhetoric and social posts aimed at her colleague, Councilmember K. Patrice Williams and others, and says she stands with them in solidarity.
Vice Mayor Bertani reported that she attended the Youth Empowerment event on August 13, hosted by Leaders of Men Inc. Executive Director Anthony McDonald in partnership with St. Stephen CME Church. The event focused on mentorship, leadership, character - building, and self -management for African -American youth and teens. Participants completed a summer -long life skills program and received certificates recognizing their commitment and dedication. Mayor Vaccaro also spoke at the event. Next, Vice Mayor Bertani added that, in the words of her kids, the Tomato & Vine Festival was "lit!" Lastly, she announced her attendance at the Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee meeting at the Vacaville Veterans Hall and it was fantastic, as the veterans prepared a home - cooked meal for attendees.
Councilmember Sandhu thanked Visit Fairfield and the Suisun Valley Vintners & Growers Association for the work they continue to do to support the region. He and several colleagues had the privilege of attending their annual dinner and commended their efforts to make the region special and support the local ecosystem. He and Councilmember Panduro also attended the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) Solano County Chapter's 11th Anniversary & Internship Fundraising Awards Gala, "Celebration of Young Leaders," on August 7, which he described as a great event. He thanked them for highlighting the civic engagement of young people.
Mayor Vaccaro said he always enjoys attending backpack giveaway events as a lifelong educator. He wished all returning students a wonderful and safe school year. He also praised Anthony McDonald and Leaders of Men, Inc. for their excellent work, noting that the hard work of the young men who completed the life skills summer program was evident in their accomplishments. Lastly, he reminded everyone to slow down and drive carefully now that school is back in session.
F. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
2 Assistant City Manager Farbod Pirouzmand announced that Item L.1 (Firefighter Overhire) was pulled and would be returned to council at the September 1, 2026 meeting.
No other changes to the agenda.
G. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
City Attorney David Lim reported that during the closed session held on August 4, 2026, concerning Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 regarding a workers' compensation claim filed by Kevin Carella (Claim No. FFL1900080), the City Council approved a compromise and release settlement in the amount of $150,000.
Councilmember Carr made the motion to approve the settlement, which was seconded by Council member Tonnesen. The motion carried unanimously, 6-0, with Councilmember Sandhu absent.
The settlement was subsequently approved by the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board under Case No. ADJ122-73535. As the matter is a public record, additional details are available through the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
H. CITY CLERK'S REPORT
City Clerk Karen Rees reported that Human Resources is currently recruiting for several open full and part-time positions. Interested parties can visit fairfield.ca.gov/jobs. She announced that the Landscape Oversight Committee currently as two open positions, one for District 2 and one for District 4. People can email [email protected] for an application.
I. PRESENTATIONS
1.1 Legislative Update Presented by Assistant to the City Manager Liz Aptekar Assistant to the City Manager Liz Aptekar and Partner and Legislative Advocate Jason Gonsalves of Joe Gonsalves & Sons gave a legislative update.
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals spoke during public comment: Ryan Messano, EJ Johnson, Dr.
Latressa Wilson Alford, Caroline Kelleher, Rita Urshaw, Ana Petero, Patrick Williams, Michael Jefferson, Jeann McDougald, Elease Cheek, Rhamell Stevenson, Andrea Lair, Andrea Shaw (online), Alicia Minyen (online), and Diana Solis (online).
As some public speakers spoke against building a data center in Fairfield, City Attorney Lim issued a statement clarifying that the comments appear to stem from an August 17, 2026, article in the Vallejo5un regarding a commercial real estate company and developer seeking investors to develop a 300-acre industrial campus in northeast Fairfield. The proposed campus would include a 150-megawatt data center, with the potential for future expansion.
The proposed site is located between Vanden Road and North Gate Road, within Fairfield's northeastern boundary and near residences at the outer edge of Vacaville. 3 City Attorney Lim clarified that this proposal has not been presented to the Fairfield Planning Commission. At this time, the data center is only a concept being considered by the developer and is not a project before the City for review or approval.
K. CONSENT CALENDAR
City Clerk Rees stated that resident Charlie Stoehr would like to pull Item K.2 and Councilmember Williams announced that she would like to pull K.4 for discusson.
There were no requests to speak on the remaining items (K.1, K.3 and K.5). After council voted on Items K.2 and K.4 separately, Councilmember Tonnesen made a motion to approve the remainder of the consent calendar. Vice Mayor Bertani seconded the motion.
By a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Tonnesen
Seconded by: Vice Mayor Bertani
To approve the consent calendar.
Motion Carried
K.1 CM Approval of Meeting Minutes for July 2026
Approve the meeting minutes.
K.2 Resolution 2026-156 PR Golf Volunteer Program
Item K.2 was pulled for discussion. The following individuals spoke on Item K.2:
Charlie Stoehr, Ron Collins, Chris Pedersen, and Carol Haddock. Vice President of Operations for Kemper Sports James Birchall (online) and Parks and Recreation Administration Division Manager answered questions from councilmembers.
After a lengthy discussion, Councilmember Williams made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-156. Councilmember Sandhu seconded the motion. By a roll call vote, the motion carried 4-3, with Mayor Vaccaro, Vice Mayor Bertani, and Councilmember Tonnesen voting no.
Moved by: Councilmember Williams
Seconded by: Councilmember Sandhu
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried
K.3 Resolution 2026-177 PW Vision for our Water Future
Adopt resolution.
2 L.
M.
K.4 Resolution 2026-178 PW Authorizing Amendment #1 to the Engineering Design Services Agreement for the Lopes Road Emergency Storm Damage Repair Project
Councilmember Williams asked for Item K.4 to be pulled. She asked Assistant Public Works Director Michael Hether to give an update on Lopes Road.He shared that anyone wanting more information on Lopes Road should subscribe to the web page at www.fairfield.ca.gov/lopes .
There were no requests to speak. Councilmember Williams made a motion to approve Resolution.2026-178. Councilmember Panduro seconded the motion. By a roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Moved by: Councilmember Williams
Seconded by: Councilmember Panduro
Adopt resolution.
Motion Carried
K.5 Resolution 2026-179 PW Awarding Construction Contract for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Rancho Solano Pavement Maintenance Project
Adopt resolution.
NEW BUSINESS
L.1 Resolution 2026-180 FD Firefighter Overhire
As Assistant City Manager Pirouzmand stated in his report, Item L.1 is continued to the September 1, 2026, council meeting.
ADJOURN
Mayor Vaccaro adjourned the meeting at 7:56 p.m. in memory of Councilmember Carr's mother-in-law Lynn Pile, who passed away last week, to Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 6 p.m., in the Harry T. Price Memorial Council Chamber.
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Mayor
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City Clerk