CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, JUNE 16, 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 Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: City Manager Nick Kimball and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the agenda. The motion carried, unanimously.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:01 P.M.)
By consensus, Councilmembers recessed to Closed Session.
A) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957 - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT:
Title: Interim City Manager
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 - CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR:
Agency Representative: City Manager Nick Kimball
Unrepresented Employee: Interim City Manager
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting June 16, 2025
C) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957(A) - SECURITY, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND CITY SERVICES:
Consultation with the Chief of Police
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Padilla reported that on Item Nos. A and B, the City Council voted unanimously to appoint Deputy City Manager/Economic Development Kanika Kith to the Interim City Manager Position effective July 5, 2025. No reportable action on Item No. C.
The City Council adjourned the special meeting at 6:24 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Mary Mendoza called the regular meeting to order at 6:25 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, Deputy City Manager/Economic Development Kanika Kith, Police Chief Fabian Valdez, 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.
PRESENTATIONS
A) PRESENTATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION HONORING CITY MANAGER NICK
KIMBALL FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SAN FERNANDO AND THE
COMMUNITY
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting June 16, 2025
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Adrian Perez spoke in support of immigrants and San Fernando being a sanctuary city.
Dolores Rodriguez spoke regarding activities of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and offered a prayer.
Paulina Torres Deputy Field Representative for Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath extended thanks to Nick Kimball for his service and shared information on an immigrant resource guide offered by Supervisor Horvath’s Office.
Blanca Mejia spoke about general decisions made by the City Council, thanked the Police Department for supporting Hispanics in the community and offered a prayer.
Erica spoke regarding concerns with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the community.
Ricardo Benitez spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 5 and on the Cities annual budget.
Caller ID No. 3412 spoke about concerns regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the community.
Emily Quinonez spoke regarding concerns of undocumented individuals.
Sergio Amalfitano spoke regarding concerns of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the community and suggested the city provide education and information resources for immigrants.
Zayrit Gordillo spoke in general regarding the community and the policies recently adopted, thanked the city for not approving the city as a sanctuary city.
Sabrina Rivera spoke regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.
Mercedes Sotelo regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. March 17, 2025 - CC Special & Regular
Meeting
b. April 7, 2025 - CC Special & 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
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting June 16, 2025
4) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION SETTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 ARTICLE
XIIIB APPROPRIATIONS (GANN) LIMIT
5) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THREE POLICE VEHICLES AND REQUIRED
EMERGENCY VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AS AUTHORIZED IN THE SAN FERNANDO MUNICIPAL
CODE URGENCY PURCHASING AUTHORITY, ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE
FUNDS, AND APPROVE DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS CITY-OWNED VEHICLES 6) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE PUBLIC RELEASE AND CIRCULATION OF A REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF A CITY MARKETING CAMPAIGN 7) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CO-SPONSORSHIP OF LA FAMILY HOUSING HOMELESS
CONNECT DAY EVENTS AND USE OF THE CITY SEAL
The motion carried, unanimously.
Item heard out of order
11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPOINT A CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE
TO THE GREATER LOS ANGELES COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES City Clerk Fritz presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The following applicants provided a brief presentation on their background and qualifications: Flor Sanchez, Maria Castaneda, Vladimir Soghomanyon, and Sonia Fuentes.
City Council voted for the following:
Voted by: Councilmember Lopez: Sonia Garcia
Voted by: Councilmember Garcia: Sonia Garcia
Voted by: Councilmember Fajardo: Flor Sanchez
Voted by: Vice Mayor Solorio: Vladimir Soghomanyon
Voted by: Mayor Mendoza: Flor Sanchez
By process of elimination of applicants Ms. Castaneda and Mr. Soghomanyon received the least number of votes. Flor Sanchez and Sonia Garcia each received two (2) votes. Due to the tie vote, the City Clerk conducted a second round of voting to select the final candidate between Ms. Sanchez and Ms. Garcia.
Sonia Fuentes was selected by Councilmembers Lopez, Garcia and Vice Mayor Solorio = 3 votes.
Flor Sanchez was selected by Councilmember Fajardo and Mayor Mendoza = 2 votes.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting June 16, 2025
The City Council selected Sonia Fuentes by a majority vote, as the city’s appointed representative to serve as liaison to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board of Trustees, to fill a vacancy for the remainder of a two-year term from June 17, 2025 to January 6, 2027.
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at &:49 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:06 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS
ENFORCEMENT (ICE) AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Vice Mayor Mary Solorio presented the staff report.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to return in July with a staff report on: 1) a.
Options to disseminate information quickly regarding resources for individuals affected by ICE operations (e.g. creation of a “Rapid Response Team”, strategies to connect the community with programs/resources); b. Bring back a list of existing resources that can be offered and include all existing partner agencies that the City currently works with; and c.
Information on creating a fund to provide financial assistance to families of victims affected by ICE, including: proposed payment amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to include estimated administrative costs; 2) a. Authorized staff to draft and release statement regarding: City's stance on ICE activities and on the incident involving Senator Alex Padilla and Homeland Security; and suggested that staff invite Senator Padilla to a future City Council meeting or to the City’s National Night Out event, to receive recognition on his work with immigration rights.
By consensus, the City Council requested staff to bring back to a future Council meeting with information on a process and cost for the city to create a municipal ID card program.
By consensus, authorize the City Manager to make edits to the statement as applicable in order to meet the deadline to release the statement by tomorrow.
PUBLIC HEARING
8) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 90 (TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES) OF THE SAN FERNANDO MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT A
RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM AND TO MODIFY PARKING RESTRICTIONS OF
CERTAIN VEHICLES INCLUDING FOR THE USE OF HUMAN HABITATION (CONTINUED TO JULY 7, 2025)
9) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS TO CONTINUE MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY’S STREETLIGHTS, CONFIRMING THE ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, AND APPROVING THE FINAL ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting June 16, 2025
Mayor Mendoza opened the public hearing.
City Clerk Julia Fritz presented the Order of Procedure and requested a motion to receive and file the Affidavit of Publication.
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to receive and file the Affidavit of Publication. The motion carried, unanimously.
Director of Public Works Wendell Johnson presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Mendoza called for public comments. There being none, closed the public comment portion of the hearing.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopezto adopt Resolution No. 8388 ordering the continued maintenance of the City’s streetlights and confirming the annual assessment; and adopt Resolution No. 8389 approving the Final Engineer’s Report for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District. The motion carried, unanimously.
Mayor Mendoza closed the public hearing.
10) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 CITY BUDGET, AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO FUND THE CITY’S SECTION 115
TRUST FOR RETIREE HEALTH BENEFITS
The City Council continued the item to a special meeting on June 30, 2025.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
12) RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ON THE INITIAL FINANCIAL PLAN OF THE WATER AND SEWER
RATE STUDY AND PROVIDE DIRECTION ON THE PROPOSED RATE INCREASE
IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
Director of Public Works Johnson and Water Operations Manager Victor Meza presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve and move forward with the proposed timeline for the water and sewer rate increase through the Proposition 218 process, per staff recommendation. The motion carried, unanimously. 13) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION ON ESTABLISHING A WASTE HAULING AD HOC
COMMITTEE
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report.
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to direct staff to create a Waste Hauling Ad Hoc Committee, appointed Councilmembers Lopez and Fajardo to serve on the ad hoc committee with the effective date to begin the committee on July 17, 2025. The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting June 16, 2025
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES None
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Garcia offered a prayer.
Councilmember Lopez spoke regarding community needs and her concerns related to the immigration community affected by ICE activities.
Councilmember Fajardo commented on the ICE raids, spoke in general regarding deportations and requested the meeting be closed in mem Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, who were tragically killed on June 14, 2025. In addition, he noted that Planning and Preservation Commissioner Cecilia Martinez will be planning on retiring from the Commission in the near future and is searching for a replacement candidate.
Vice Mayor Solorio had no updates to report.
Mayor Mendoza commented on those families that have been affected by ICE activities.
ADJOURNMENT (11:03 p.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the regular meeting to the special meeting of June 30, 2025 in memory of Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the June 16, 2025,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of September 15, 2025.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk