CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING (CLOSED SESSION) – 5:15 P.M
SPECIAL MEETING (OPEN SESSION) – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, JUNE 30, 2025
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
117 MACNEIL STREET
SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA 91340
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – SPECIAL MEETING 5:15 P.M. (CLOSED SESSION) Mayor Mary Mendoza called the Special Meeting to order at 5:18 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: Deputy City Manager/Economic Development Kanika Kith and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the agenda.
The motion carried, unanimously.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:19 P.M.)
By consensus, Councilmembers recessed to Closed Session.
A) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957(A) - SECURITY, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND CITY SERVICES:
Consultation with the Chief of Police
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(4) – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:
One (1) matter
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 30, 2025
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION (6:00 P.M.) City Attorney reported no reportable action.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – SPECIAL MEETING OPEN SESSION 6:00 P.M.
Mayor Mary Mendoza called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio, and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: Deputy City Manager/Economic Development Kanika Kith, City Attorney Richard Padilla, 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.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Diana Jimenez spoke in support of undocumented members of the community.
Dolores Rodriguez spoke in support of emergency food distribution centers in San Fernando.
Raul Barragan representing Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3834 reminded City Council that the organization is available as a resource to support the community.
Lorraine Aceves president of Ignite the Light of Hope and spoke regarding the organization hosting an emergency food distribution center in San Fernando.
Larry Prendiz, spoke in support of Ignite the Light of Hope program.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 30, 2025
Caller Ending in 7681 spoke in support of Ignite the Light of Hope program.
Caller ending in 7642 spoke in support of Ignite the Light of Hope program.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1) A CONTINUED 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
Mayor Mendoza opened the public hearing.
Director of Administrative Services Erica Melton presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Due to concerns raised by the City Council regarding retiree health care costs, Director of Finance Melton recommended that the city’s fiduciary consultant provide a detailed presentation at a future City Council meeting.
The City Council voted on each proposed enhancement line item.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve Resolution No. 8390 for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Budget, as amended per Exhibit “A” attached hereto, to return to the mid-year budget process the proposed staff enhancement requests for the Police Sergeant and the to reclassify part-time hours to establish 1 full-time Recreation and Community Services Coordinator; and allocate $224,340 towards the Outstanding Pension Employee Benefits (OPEB) account. The motion carried, as follows:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Garcia, Fajardo - 3
NAYES: Solorio, Mendoza - 2
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve Resolution No. 8391 appropriating $500,000 from General Fund Reserves to the Section 115 Trust account for the purpose of setting aside designated funding to be used towards paying for future retiree medical benefits. The motion carried, unanimously.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
2) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION
CENTERS
This item was agendized by Councilmember Victoria Garcia.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 30, 2025
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to promote existing food distribution organizations, reach out to other organizations that would be interested in doing a food distribution event in the City at no cost and return to the July 7, 2025 City Council meeting with additional information to potentially establish an ad hoc committee. 3) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO CONTACT FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES FOR
INFORMATION ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN THE CITY
This item was agendized by Councilmember Victoria Garcia.
By consensus, the City Council will submit questions to city staff to submit an email to Federal Representatives on how to receive updates and factual immigration enforcement information; authorized the Mayor to issue an emergency press conference/release to inform the community on ICE activity information; and authorized the Mayor and Councilmember Garcia to meet with Congresswoman Luz Rivas regarding receiving additional and resources.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
None
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Garcia had no updates to report.
Councilmember Fajardo had no updates to report.
Councilmember Lopez had no updates to report.
Vice Mayor Solorio had no updates to report.
Mayor Mendoza had no updates to report and closed the meeting in memory of Rudy F. Herrera Jr, member of the Knights of Columbus.
ADJOURNMENT (12:25 a.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the special meeting at 12:25 a.m. to the next regular meeting of July 7, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the June 30, 2025,
Special meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of September 15, 2025.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk
Total General Fund Available for Enhancements: 416,010 $ Total Recommended General Fund Enhancements: 191,670 $
Remaining Operating General Funds for Section 115 Trust: 224,340 $ Total Non-General Fund Enhancements: 93,000 $
General Fund Reserves to Section 115 (Resolution 8391): 500,000 $ Item Dept Fund Description Amount Approved Count MM MS JF VG PL Notes 1 Comm Dev General Special Counsel Services 5,500 5,500 5 Supports City Council strategic goal of Citywide beautification. Recommended funding to be used to address and bring existing code enforcement cases to full resolution. 2 Adm Svcs General Citywide Employee Training Programs 25,000 4 25,000 Provide training and development opportunities for staff in accordance with the City Council strategic goal for citywide employee recruitment, retention and morale 3 Police General Vector Solutions - Guardian Software 6,730 6,730 5 Provide supervisory tools for staff in accordance with the City Council strategic goal for citywide employee recruitment, retention and morale. Software will use AI learning capability to recommend personalized training opportunities for each staff member based on contents of evaluations.
4 Police General TimeClocks - Timekeeping/Scheduling Software 9,440 9,440 5 This module offered through the City's existing timekeeping system will allow SFPD staff to better manage staffing and overtime costs. 5 Police General New Officer Onboarding Costs 20,000 5 20,000 Assumes hiring and onboarding of 4 officers at $5,000/officer6 Police General Less Lethal Projectile Service Equipment 5,000 5,000 5 To provide 2 additional less lethal options to existing stock. This will allow each patrol vehicle to have a less lethal tool available. 7 Police General Records Specialist (P/T) 35,000 5 35,000 Staff provided additional data regarding increased mandatory reporting with consideration of PT position8 Police General Upgrade Police Officer to Sergeant 55,000 - - Staff evaluated OT as offset for potential position upgrade. Removed during final motion, to be reconsidered for discussion at midyear. 9 Public Works General Convert PW Management Analyst to Sr Management Analyst 7,500 7,500 3 Create a more balanced span of control in the PW
Department with expounded position to include higher level skills and responsibilities. Position to additionally address City Council's goal of addressing employee retention and morale.
11 Rec & Comm General Reclassify 2-FT Program Specialists to 2-RCS Coordinator 17,000 4 17,000 Create a more balanced supervisory span of control in the RCS Department and offer opportunities for advancement to address City Council's goal of addressing employee retention and morale. 12 Rec & Comm General Reclassify PT Hours to establish 1-RCS Coordinator 60,000 - - Create a more balanced supervisory span of control in the RCS Department and offer opportunities for advancement to address City Council's goal of addressing employee retention and morale. Offset costs for new position by reducing part-time hours by $30,000. Removed during final motion, to be reconsidered for discussion at midyear. 13 Rec & Comm General After School Teen Program - Supplies 2,000 2,000 5 Recommended funding at reduced level from starting funds for ongoing Teen Programming21 Rec & Comm General Sept 14th – El Grito Event Celebration 12,000 4 12,000 $12,000 - Estimate includes stage and sound, dance floor, performers, DJ, dignitary booths, decorations, restrooms and giveaways. 28 Police General Increase police patrols and visibility in residential areas, local businesses, and public spaces such as parks. 25,000 4 25,000 Email sent to Councilmember Lopez for additional specificity of recommendation44 Police General Fireworks/4th of July Celebration - Additional Detail 11,500 5 11,500 Full Event as Planned with Additional PW Traffic Measures/PD Details (+$11,500) CITY COUNCIL FY 2025-2026 BUDGET DISCUSSION WORKSHEET
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Approved Recommendations - Pages 1 of 2
ATTACHMENT "A"
Item Dept Fund Description Amount Approved Count MM MS JF VG PL Notes 50 Rec & Comm General Mariachi Apprentice Program 10,000 4 10,000 Funding for the Performing Arts has been cut by the current administration. The program usually receives $50,000. This will allow coverage while alternative funding sources are identified.
NON-GENERAL FUND ITEMS
1 Public Works Water Convert PW Management Analyst to Sr Management Analyst 6,250 5 6,250 25% of Position - Split with General Fund and Sewer Fund 2 Public Works Sewer Convert PW Management Analyst to Sr Management Analyst 6,250 5 6,250 25% of Position - Split with General Fund and Water Fund3 Public Works Equipment Tire Mounting Balancing Machine Replacement 24,500 5 24,500 Funding recommended with value through time and cost efficiencies justified for equipment replacement.4 Rec & Comm Recreation Folding Tables & Chairs 6,000 5 6,000 Funding recommended through new scope of Fund 017 - Self Sustaining Fund for Facility rentals as an investment with anticipated increased rentals as a result of enhanced customer experience. 45 Public Works Measure W Citywide Signage (moved from General Fund list) 50,000 5 50,000 There is an inventory of approximately 3,740 total signs in the City (e.g. regulatory, warning and guide signs). While ~20% are up-to-date, the remaining 2,992 signs would cost $130/each to replace at a total of $388,960. An option is to complete a portion of street sweeping signs only for FY 25/26 using Measure W funding ($50,000) GENERAL FUND RESERVES:
1 Administrative Services General - Reserves
Appropriating $500,000 from General Fund Reserves to the Section 115 Trust for the purpose of setting aside designated funding to be used towards paying future retiree medical benefits. 500,000 5 500,000
Since FY2023, the City Council has authorized $500,000
each year towards Section 115 Pension Trust to reduce retiree health benefits unfunded accrued liability, currently valued at $40.3 million. OPEB Presentation to be scheduled for August 2025.
Approved Recommendations - Pages 2 of 2