CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, MARCH 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 5:00 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio and Councilmember Patty Lopez
Staff: City Manager Nick Kimball and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: Councilmember Victoria Garcia
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the agenda. The motion carried, with Councilmembers Joel Fajardo and Victoria Garcia absent.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:01 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 CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting March 3, 2025
San Fernando Police Civilian Association
San Fernando Part-Time Employees’ Bargaining Unit (SEIU, Local 721) All Unrepresented Employees
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(2) – CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:
One (1) Matter
RECONVENE FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Padilla mentioned that Councilmember Garcia arrived into Closed Session at 5:21 p.m. and stated there was no reportable action as a result of the Closed Session meeting.
ADJOURNMENT (6:05 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 6:06 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio, and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo (via teleconference), Victoria Garcia (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), and Patty Lopez
Staff: City Manager Nick Kimball, City Attorney Richard Padilla, Police Chief Fabian Valdez, Deputy City Manager/Economic Development Kanika Kith, Director of Administrative Services Erica Melton, Director of Public Works Wendell Johnson, Director of Recreation and Community Services Julio Salcedo, and City Clerk Julia Fritz
Absent: None
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE
Councilmember Joel Fajardo requested to participate remotely using the teleconferencing rules of AB 2449. Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve Councilmember Fajardo’s request. The motion carried, with Councilmember Garcia absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting March 3, 2025
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the agenda. The motion carried, with Councilmember Garcia absent.
It was noted that Councilmember Victoria Garcia arrived in the meeting at 6:10 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION AND UPDATE FROM METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT BOARD CHAIR ADAN ORTEGA
B. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO CITY EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR JANUARY 2025 WIND STORM AND CRITICAL FIRE EVENT RESPONSE EFFORTS C. CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO THE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 2025 GREATER LOS
ANGELES HOMELESS POINT-IN-TIME COUNT IN SAN FERNANDO
D. ANNUAL RECOGNITION
• WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH – MARCH 2025
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Miguel Montanez spoke regarding concerns related to increased gang graffiti activities throughout the city.
Tomik Hakoopian spoke regarding an accident near Brand Boulevard and talked about traffic safety concerns.
Liz Castaneda spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
Maria Luisa Palma spoke about concerns with student safety at Los Angeles Unified School District campuses and is in support of Agenda Item No. 5.
Lupita Gonzalez spoke in opposition of Agenda Item No. 12.
Hector Perez spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
Rob spoke in opposition of Agenda Item No. 5.
Caller ID 4366 spoke about student and campus safety at Los Angeles Unified School District schools and is in support of Agenda Item No. 5.
Christina Bernal spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting March 3, 2025
Priscilla Estrada spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
Danara Castaneda spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
Natasha Sanchez-Brooks spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
Zayurit Gadillo-Lopez spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
Ricardo Benitez spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 11.
Claudia Martina Morva spoke in general on Agenda Item No. 12.
David Calero spoke in general on Agenda Item No. 12.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Fajardo pulled Item No. 5 for discussion; and Councilmember Garcia pulled Item No. 4 for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve Item nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7.
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. May 11, 2009, 6 p.m. – CC Special
Meeting
d. June 1, 2009 – CC Special Meeting
b. May 11, 2009, 7 p.m. – CC Special
Meeting
e. December 9, 2024 – CC Special Meeting
c. May 26, 2009 – CC Special Meeting
2) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WARRANT REGISTER 3) RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS UPDATES FOR ENHANCEMENTS, PROJECTS, AND CITY COUNCIL
PRIORITIES
6) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING GRANT FUNDS FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATIONS OF GOVERNMENTS’ REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM 2.0 GRANT, AND APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RINCON CONSULTANTS INC. TO IMPLEMENT THE GRANT PROGRAM
7) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A SECOND READING TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1731
ADOPTING A MILITARY EQUIPMENT USE POLICY GOVERNING THE USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO ASSEMBLY BILL 481
The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting March 3, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to:
4) CONSIDERATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025; AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MID-YEAR PROPOSED BUDGET The motion carried, unanimously.
5) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY LETTER FROM THE SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL TO LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 6 BOARD MEMBER
KELLY GONEZ, IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING POLICE PRESENCE AND PARTNERSHIPS ON
SCHOOL CAMPUSES
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to invite Board Member Gonez to provide a presentation on school safety. The motion carried, unanimously.
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio to table sending advocacy letter to the April 7, 2025 City Council meeting, pending Councilmember meetings with Board Member Gonez to discuss school safety policy and proposed collaboration efforts related to safety on school campuses. The motion carried by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Fajardo, Solorio, Mendoza - 4
NAYES: Garcia - 1
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item heard out of order
12) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO CO-SPONSOR AND USE OF CITY SEAL
FOR CELEBRATION EXPO AND CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO CO-SPONSOR THE SAN
FERNANDO OUTDOOR MARKET HOSTED BY THE MALL ASSOCIATION
Deputy City Manager/Economic Development Kith presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the Celebration Expo and waive city fees. The motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the request from the Outdoor Market to use the city seal on the printed material and social media, to co‐sponsor and waive 50% of fees and utilize the Business Improvement District account to pay remaining 50% for the April 26, 2025 Outdoor Market event; refer future Outdoor Market fee waiver requests to the Ad Hoc Committee to develop fee waiver recommendations; and invite ICON CDC to provide a presentation to the City Council on merchant survey results. The motion carried by the following vote:
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting March 3, 2025
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Fajardo, Solorio, Mendoza - 4
NAYES: Garcia - 1
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at 9:32 p.m. and reconvened at 9:45p.m. 10) RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION ON THE CITY’S EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN AND
MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Commander Chiasson presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions. The City Council received and filed the presentation.
The City Council directed staffto send information on upcoming CERT training opportunities to Councilmembers, City Staff and the public; provide Councilmembers with information on their roles in responding to emergencies; follow up with Los Angeles Fire Department to provide information to residents on how to "Harden their Home" on proactive fire preventative measures; and to potentially host a workshop at City Hall on same.
It was noted that Councilmember Garcia left the meeting at 10:46 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
8) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE ALLOCATION OF YEAR 5 PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027-2028
Mayor Mendoza opened the public hearing.
Director of Community Development Ramirez and Housing Coordinator Marquez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Mendoza opened public comments, there being none, the public comment period was closed.
Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to adopt Resolution No. 8370 approving the allocation of Permanent Local Housing Allocation Funds for Fiscal year 2027-2028, in the amount of $79,615; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to submit documentation conveying the City Council’s Resolution to the Los Angeles County Community Development Authority for approval. The motion carried, with Councilmember Garcia absent.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting March 3, 2025
9) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 106 (ZONING) OF THE SAN FERNANDO MUNICIPAL CODE Mayor Mendoza opened the public hearing.
Director of Community Development Ramirez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Mendoza opened public comments,
The following submitted a speaker card and spoke:
Brent Bell
Miguel Montanez
Mayor Mendoza closed the public comment period.
The City Council continued the hearing to a date certain of April 7, 2025.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING HOSTING AN IMMIGRATION EVENT Item was continued to the March 17, 2025 City Council meeting. 13) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REQUESTING A REPORT ON THE CONDITION AND REPAIR PROGRESS OF THE CESAR E. CHAVEZ MURAL
Item was continued to the March 17, 2025 City Council meeting. 14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING LEGAL PROCESSES FOR COMMISSIONER
NOMINATIONS
The Item was continued to the March 17, 2025 City Council meeting.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
None
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES None
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting March 3, 2025
ADJOURNMENT (12:01 a.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the meeting to the regular meeting on March 17, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the March 3, 2025,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of June 2, 2025.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk