CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
117 MACNEIL STREET
SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA 91340
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – SPECIAL MEETING 5:00 P.M. (CLOSED SESSION) Mayor Mary Mendoza called the Special Meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: City Manager Nick Kimball and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: Vice Mayor Mary Solorio
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the agenda.
The motion carried, unanimously.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:02 P.M.)
By consensus, Councilmembers recessed to Closed Session.
A) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO G.C. §54957.6:
Designated City Negotiators: City Manager Nick Kimball
Employees and Employee Bargaining Units:
San Fernando Management Group (SEIU, Local 721)
San Fernando Public Employees’ Association (SEIU, Local 721) San Fernando Police Officers Association
San Fernando Police Officers Association Police Management Unit San Fernando Police Civilian Association
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 3, 2025
San Fernando Part-Time Employees’ Bargaining Unit (SEIU, Local 721) All Unrepresented Employees
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1) – CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION:
Case Name: Alexander Garcia vs City of San Fernando
Case Number: 22STCV15175
RECONVENE FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Padilla stated no reportable action as a result of the Closed Session meeting.
ADJOURNMENT (6:03 p.m.)
The City Council adjourned the special meeting to the regular meeting.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Mary Mendoza called the regular meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: City Manager Nick Kimball, City Attorney Richard Padilla, Police Chief Fabian Valdez, Director of Finance Erica Melton, Director of Public Works Wendell Johnson, Director of Recreation and Community Services Julio Salcedo, and City Clerk Julia Fritz
Absent: Vice Mayor Mary Solorio
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE
Councilmember Mary Solorio requested to participate remotely using the teleconferencing rules of AB 2449. By consensus, the City Council approved the request.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 3, 2025
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the agenda.
The motion carried, unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION ON CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 36 BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY NATHAN J. HOCHMAN
B. RECOGNITION TO LOS ANGELES MISSION COLLEGE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF SERVICE C. PRESENTATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO EL BANDOLERO MEAT MARKET IN
RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY
D. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO DON CARLITOS RESTAURANT IN
RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY
E. PRESENTATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION TO QUE RICOS TACOS IN
RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Brent Bell spoke in support of the proposed changes that were made associated with First Street on Agenda Item No. 7.
Maria Luisa Palma advocated for the return of police presence on school campuses.
Myrna Velasquez spoke about concerns and safety for the immigrants in the community.
Flor Sanchez spoke about no-cost income tax preparation services offered at Las Palmas Park through CSUN’s VITA Clinic.
Ester Aviles shared a scripture.
Dora Alvarez spoke regarding student safety concerns at San Fernando Middle School.
Dr. Chavez mentioned she was pleased with the increase in public safety at San Fernando Recreation Park.
Ricardo Benitez submitted an email addressing concerns with Councilmember Fajardo’s comments that were made during the January 21, 2025 Council meeting regarding opposing his application to serve as a potential Commissioner on the Transportation and Public Safety Commission.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Fajardo pulled Item No. 5 and Councilmember Garcia pulled Item No. 6 for discussion.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 3, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1 through 4:
1. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. February 2, 2009 – Regular Meeting
b. December 10, 2010 – Regular Meeting
c. December 2, 2024 – Regular Meeting
2. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WARRANT REGISTER
3. RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS UPDATES FOR ENHANCEMENTS, PROJECTS, AND CITY COUNCIL
PRIORITIES
4. CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE NATIONAL
ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS TO SUPPORT THE MARIACHI MASTER APPRENTICE PROGRAM The motion carried, unanimously.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Mayor Mendoza to approve the 2025 Legislative Platform; approve the 2025 Legislative Appropriation Requests; authorize the City Manager to take certain related actions as provided Legislative Advocacy Policy, as amended to include requests for the San Fernando Post Office to include a drive-thru and facility improvements, and is in support of the Mayor and Vice Mayor to have discussions of proposed requests with State and Federal elected officials:
5. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND LEGISLATIVE
APPROPRIATION REQUESTS
The motion carried, unanimously.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Mayor Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 8362 approving the job specifications for Director of Administrative Services, Human Resources & Risk Manager, Human Resources Technician, and Human Resources Assistant; adopt Resolution No. 8363 amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Salary Resolution to reflect the revised position titles for the Director of Administrative Services, Human Resources & Risk Manager, Human Resources Technician, and Human Resources Assistant; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to make non-substantive corrections and execute all related documents:
6. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS APPROVING TITLE CHANGES FOR THE POSITIONS
OF DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, HUMAN RESOURCES & RISK MANAGER,
HUMAN RESOURCES TECHNICIAN, AND HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT The motion carried as follows:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Fajardo, Solorio, Mendoza - 4
NAYES: Garcia - 1
ABSTAINE: None
ABSENT: None
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 3, 2025
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Items heard out of order
10) CONSIDERATION TO APPOINT AN EDUCATION COMMISSIONER
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report.
Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to appoint Marcela Rodriguez to the Education Commission. The motion carried, unanimously. 11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO UPDATE VETERANS’ CREDIT IN PERSONNEL RULES Councilmember Victoria Garcia presented the staff report.
City Manager Kimball reported that in 2017 the update to the personnel rules for the Veteran’s Credit was approved; however, the personnel manual was not updated at that time.
The City Council directed staff to confirm labor groups’ concurrence with Veterans' credit previously adopted by the City Council in 2017 and amend the personnel manual as applicable.
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at 8:09 p.m. and reconvened at 8:22 p.m. with Councilmember Fajardo absent.
8) RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION ON 2024 CITY CRIME STATISTICS, POLICE DEPARTMENT
ACTIVITY AND OPERATIONS, ENHANCED POLICE PATROLLING EFFORTS, AND SENATE BILL 54, THE “CALIFORNIA VALUES ACT”
Police Chief Fabian Valdez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council received and filed the report and directed staff to return to a future meeting with additional information regarding exploring partnership with State and Federal Elected Officials to potentially provide immigration information at a San Fernando facility; developing a method for monitoring and/or reporting statistics on police patrolling activities; seeking additional funding requests for continued enhanced patrolling efforts; and draft a letter to Los Angeles Unified School District expressing the City’s support of police presence and increased student safety on school campuses. 9) RECEIVE AND FILE AN UPDATE ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS RELATED TO
ENCAMPMENT ENFORCEMENT AND STREET OUTREACH SERVICES
Acting Commander Dominguez and Housing Coordinator Marques presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions. The City Council received and filed the report.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 3, 2025
7) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A SECOND READING TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1728 AMENDING CHAPTER 106 (ZONING) OF THE SAN FERNANDO MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH THE MIXED USE OVERLAY ZONE; AND ORDINANCE NO. 1730 AMENDING THE ZONING MAP TO ADD THE MIXED-USE OVERLAY TO CERTAIN PROPERTIES IN THE C-1 AND C-2 ZONE DISTRICTS AND ADOPT A CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION ADDENDUM City Manager Kimball stated that due to a legal ad publication error in the Sun newspaper following the first reading of the ordinance, the second reading cannot be approved at this time. Staff recommended that the City Council reschedule the approval of the second reading of Ordinance No. 1730 to a specific date at an adjourned regular meeting. The City Council continued the item to an Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting on February 11, 2025.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
None
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Garcia reported she attended the League of California Cities New Mayors and Councilmembers Academy and the Education Commissions Principals’ brunch event.
Councilmember Lopez noted she attended the League of California Cities New Mayors and Councilmembers Academy, mentioned she visited City Departments and various school sites.
Vice Mayor Solorio spoke about a community member, Frank Garcia’s 100th birthday celebration and extended birthday wishes to Mr. Garcia.
ADJOURNMENT (10:08 p.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the meeting in memory of Salvador Ponce to an adjourned regular meeting on February 11, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the February 3, 2025,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of April 7, 2025.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk