CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
117 MACNEIL STREET
SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA 91340
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, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio, and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, 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
None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the agenda. The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 17, 2025
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2025 • Lorraine Aceves • Carmen Godinez
• Elsa Ofarrill • Querubina Haydee Aguilar
• Patricia Garcia • Juana Trejo
B. CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION CELEBRATING ANGELINA PEREZ’S 100TH BIRTHDAY C. ANNUAL RECOGNITION
• CESAR CHAVEZ DAY – MARCH 31, 2025
D. INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEES
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Juan Mena offered a prayer.
Bolveci Aravjo played a song for the City Council.
Elizabeth Gonzalez spoke about parking issues and is opposed to the brand boulevard project on Agenda item no. 9.
Joel Gonzalez submitted a card regarding parking issues and is opposed to the brand boulevard project on Agenda item no. 9.
Mary Carmen Eusebio spoke about climate change.
Natalie Jimenez spoke about climate change.
Gus Villela Field Representative from Assemblymember Rodriguez’s office spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 10.
Ricardo Benitez spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 14.
Maria Luisa Palma spoke about public safety issues on school campuses of Los Angeles Unified School District.
Yolando Haro spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 14.
Teresa Mendez made comments regarding general traffic safety concerns.
Mayor Mendoza made a statement regarding Councilmembers’ decorum and order.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 17, 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Garcia pulled Item Nos. 3, 4 and 6 for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. April 7, 2008 - Special CC Mtg g. June 8, 2009 - Special CC Mtg b. April 7, 2008 - Regular CC Mtg h. June 15, 2009 - Special CC Mtg c. April 21, 2008 - Special CC Mtg i. January 10, 2011 – Special RDA Mtg d. April 21, 2008 – Regular CC Mtg j. January 10, 2011 – Special CC Mtg e. March 9, 2009 – Special CC Mtg k. January 6, 2025 - Special & Regular CC Mtg f. March 30, 2009 – Special RDA Mtg
2) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WARRANT REGISTER 5) CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT PROJECT COMPLETION AND AUTHORIZE THE RECORDATION OF A NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR PHASE 3 OF THE ANNUAL STREET RESURFACING
PROJECT
7) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH HABITAT FOR
HUMANITY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES TO ADMINISTER THE CALHOME-FUNDED
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE AND OWNER-OCCUPIED REHABILITATION PROGRAMS 8) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE SAN FERNANDO MUNICIPAL CODE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2023 EDITION CITY OF LOS
ANGELES BUILDING AND FIRE CODES AND SETTING A DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING The motion carried, unanimously.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to approve:
3) RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS UPDATES FOR ENHANCEMENTS, PROJECTS, AND CITY COUNCIL
PRIORITIES
4) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE PUBLIC RELEASE AND CIRCULATION OF REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS FOR LABOR ATTORNEY SERVICES
The motion carried, unanimously.
6) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A COMPREHENSIVE TREE
PRESERVATION POLICY
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 17, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to adopt Resolution No. 8371 and amended the Tree Policy as follows: 1. Under section "Non‐ Emergency Removal Criteria" to delete bullet point 6 "The tree is not a good candidate for relocation"; and revise bullet point number 7 to read: "The tree has been approved for removal as part of a City Council approved public improvement project that has already gone through the established public process and is not a good candidate for relocation"; and 2. Under section ‐ "Notification Requirements for Non‐Emergency Removals" ‐ change noticing from fourteen (14) days to twenty‐one (21) days. The motion carried, unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING
9) A CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE APPEAL FILED BY THE APPLICANT, MIDLAND CONTRACTORS, INC., OVERTURNING THE PLANNING AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION’S DENIAL OF SITE PLAN REVIEW NO. 2024- 001 AND ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF USE TO ALLOW FOR A 3-STORY, 10-UNIT TOWNHOUSE
STYLE RESIDENTIAL MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AND TWO DETACHED ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS LOCATED AT 833 N. BRAND BOULEVARD IN THE R-2/PD ZONE Mayor Mendoza opened the public hearing.
Director of Community Development Erika Ramirez and Associate Planner Marina Khrustaleva presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Mendoza opened public comment.
The following spoke in opposition:
1. Margarita Cervacio
2. Miguel Montanez
3. Efron Lombera
4. Julia Aguilar
5. Evelia Santana
6. Francisco Flores
7. Melvin Torres
8. Norma Flores
9. Jose Garcia
10. Alicia Santana
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to close public comments. The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 17, 2025
Councilmember Garcia commented on her recent review of the City of San Fernando’s 2021 Environmental Justice Report and expressed concerns with certain findings contained in the resolution under consideration.
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at 9:18 p.m. and reconvened at 9:36 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
By consensus, the City Council continued the public hearing to the April 21, 2025 City Council meeting, directed staff to forward a copy of the San Fernando Environmental Justice Technical Report 2021 to all Councilmembers and the Applicant for review and to include a condition of the project that would require a restrictive covenant be recorded regarding garages to be used for parking only.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
10) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING HOSTING AN IMMIGRATION EVENT City Manager Kimball presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Mayor Mendoza, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve an Ad Hoc Committee "Hosting an Immigration Event"; appointed Councilmembers Fajardo and Lopez to serve on the Committee, directed staff to work with the committee to put together a plan to host an immigration forum/resource fair in partnership with an organization that specializes in immigration rights and resources and return to City Council by the May 5, 2025 Council meeting with recommendations from ad hoc committee. The motion carried, unanimously.
11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REQUESTING A REPORT ON THE CONDITION AND REPAIR PROGRESS OF THE CESAR E. CHAVEZ MURAL
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to return to a future meeting with the Pueblo y Salud Memorandum Of Understanding to include the cost to fix damaged plaques/other damages to the memorial; and prior staff reports related to the Cesar Chavez Memorial that includes history and context on the maintenance of the memorial.
By consensus, the City Council agreed to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m. 12) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING LEGAL PROCESSES FOR COMMISSIONER
NOMINATIONS
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 17, 2025
The City Council was provided information from the City Manager that clarified the eligibility requirements for Commissions versus Liaison appointments. By consensus, the City Council directed staff to provide a summary of the final motion and decisions regarding approved changes to the Commissioners Application and Guidelines Handbook related to applicant eligibility for individuals with Dreamer status. 13) DISCUSSION ON CLARIFYING THE MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
AND RESOLUTION APPROVING THE MID-YEAR BUDGET
Councilmember Victoria Garcia presented the staff report. The City Council took no action. 14) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE LENGTH OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Councilmember Victoria Garcia presented the staff report.
By consensus, City Councilmembers agreed to discuss certain meeting management processes aimed at shortening the length of City Council meetings during the upcoming special City Council Team Building meeting.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
None
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Fajardo made general remarks regarding democracy, commented on rental property inspections, and spoke about monarch butterflies potential endangered status and San Fernando’s role in the preservation of the Cindy Montañez Natural Park. He also discussed street paving and, lastly, commented on public safety.
Councilmember Garcia mentioned she attended an event honoring late Gabriel Fernandez in celebration of what would have been his 20th birthday, noted she attended the Valley Economic Alliance meeting, Southern California Association of Government’s new Board Member orientation, the San Fernando Police Officers Advisory Awards Dinner, and the California Contract Cities Board meeting. Additionally, she attended the Majestic Hair Salon’s grand opening, Women of Hope Afternoon Tea hosted by Hope the Mission, a nature hike at the Cindy Montañez Natural Park and the San Fernando Quinceanera Expo & Fashion Show 2025.
Councilmember Lopez talked briefly on her experiences as a California State Assemblymember, the migration of Monarch butterflies in Michoacán, Mexico and talked about her role as an elected official for the community of San Fernando.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 17, 2025
Vice Mayor Solorio spoke about the students that provided public comments regarding environmental issues, and encourages, Majestic Hair Salon’s grand opening, the 2025 Black Family Wellness Expo at the California Worship Center and San Fernando Quinceanera Expo & Fashion Show 2025 and the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez.
Mayor Mendoza talked about the Monarch butterfly pollination garden project at the Rudy Ortega Sr. Park led by Rotarians for Environmental Action of the Greater Los Angeles Rotary Club Van Nuys, mentioned she attended the Water Education for Latino Leader's 2025 Annual Conference and the swearing-in ceremony for newly elected Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez.
ADJOURNMENT (11:01 p.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the meeting to the regular meeting on April 7, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the March 17, 2025,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of June 16, 2025.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk