CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:15 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, JULY 7, 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 5:16 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio and Councilmembers Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: Interim City Manager Kanika Kith and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: Councilmember Joel Fajardo
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the agenda. The motion carried, with Councilmember Fajardo absent.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:17 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
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney stated there was no reported action as a result of July 7, 2025, Closed Session meeting.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting July 7, 2025
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Mary Mendoza called the regular meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio, and Councilmembers Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: Interim City Manager 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: Councilmember Joel Fajardo
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE
None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the agenda. The motion carried, with Councilmember Fajardo absent.
PRESENTATIONS
A) PRESENTATION FROM METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT CHAIR ADAN ORTEGA Garcia recommended that city staff work with MWD regarding the tree replacement rebate program for residents.
B) PRESENTATION FROM METRO ON THE RESULTS OF PUBLIC OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR THE
EAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SHARED RIGHT-OF-WAY STUDY
City Council requested that Metro return to the Aug 4 Council meeting to provide additional details and resources available to the City including, but not limited to, bus shelter rehabilitation, new crossing gates, expand trolley operations and infrastructure; and additional information regarding Scenario 2 of the presentation.
C) ANNUAL PROCLAMATION - PARK AND RECREATION MONTH – JULY 2025
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting July 7, 2025
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Maria Melgoza submitted correspondence in support of Agenda Item No. 12.
Marcos Tapia suggested the city begin an entertainment zone and spoke about the Metrolink presentation.
Liz Castaneda spoke on behalf of her daughter Scarlett Castaneda regarding concerns with traffic safety.
Dolores Rodriguez spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 12 and about concerns related to residential parking.
Marcela Rodriguez spoke about concerns associated with the lack of staffing at local retail stores and on public safety issues.
Margarita Cervacio talked about potential illegal parking issues that need the Police Department’s assistance and is opposed to paying for parking.
Adriana Gomez spoke regarding concerns on the City’s towing services contract awarded to Black and White Towing.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
April 21, 2025 – Special & Regular CC 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 ADOPT RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THE SALARY PLAN AND TABLE OF ORGANIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
5) CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE BOARD OF STATE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FOR THE PROPOSITION 47 GRANT PROGRAM 6) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY POLICE CHIEFS’ ASSOCIATION ACCEPTING URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE 2024 GRANT FUNDS
FOR SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS TO THE POLICE STATION, AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION
APPROPRIATING THE FUNDS
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting July 7, 2025
7) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL
ACCEPTING CANNABIS TAX FUND GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS TO SUPPORT SELECTIVE TRAFFIC
ENFORCEMENT DETAILS AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING THE FUNDS The motion carried, with Councilmember Fajardo absent.
The City Council recessed the meeting at 8:12 p.m. and reconvened at 8:28 p.m. with Councilmember Fajardo absent.
Item heard out of order
11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPOINT A TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY
COMMISSIONER
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to appoint Dolores Rodriguez as a Commissioner to the Transportation and Public Safety Commission. The motion carried, with Councilmember Fajardo absent.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8) A CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE INTRODUCTION FOR FIRST READING OF 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 USE AS
HUMAN HABITATIONS
Mayor Mendoza opened the public hearing.
Director of Public Works Johnson, Interim Management Analyst Tapia and Commander Chiasson 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 Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve introduction for first reading of Ordinance No. 1735 in title only, and waive further reading “An Ordinance Of The City Council of the City Of San Fernando, California, 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 Campers, Recreational Vehicles, Utility Trailers and other Vehicles including those used for human habitation”. The motion carried by the following vote:
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting July 7, 2025
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Solorio, Mendoza - 3
NAYES: Garcia - 1
ABSENT: Fajardo - 1
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Mendoza closed the public hearing.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Mayor Mendoza announced that Item Nos. 9 and 12 would be discussed together. 9) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO EXPAND IMMIGRATION-RELATED ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES; AND TO RE-ESTABLISH A FOOD SECURITY AD HOC COMMITTEE Assistant to the City Manager Pettner and Social Services Coordinator Moreno presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Garcia to establish financial assistance program with HALA for $10,000 up to $15,000 with City Manager approval, payable at $250/individual & $500/family) and report back at Aug 5 Council Mtg on whether there is flexibility to increase amounts of grant awards from HALA; approved Community Outreach using staff overtime up to $11,250; bring back amendments to the Legislative Advocacy Policy to include the topic of “Immigration" to the Aug 4 Council meeting; and continue mental health partnerships. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Garcia, Solorio, Mendoza - 3
NAYES: Lopez - 1
ABSENT: Fajardo - 1
ABSTAIN: None
Vice Mayor Solorio motioned to re-establish a Food Security Ad hoc committee, motion failed due to a lack of a second.
12) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A FOOD DISTRIBUTION PILOT PROGRAM Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions. Ignite the Light of Hope also provided a presentation and requested $20,000 from the City to fund the food distribution pilot program.
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve a one month pilot program with Ignite the Light of Hope at $5,000 to include two food distribution events; and directed staff to pursue additional funding opportunities with Los Angeles County Supervisor Horvath or other agencies and bring back information to the Aug 4 Council meeting. The motion carried, with Councilmember Fajardo absent.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting July 7, 2025
10) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION ON THE SELECTION OF A DATE TO HOST THE CITY’S 114TH
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Director of Recreation and Community Services Salcedo presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Mayor Mendoza to reschedule the City’s 114th Birthday Celebration from Sunday, August 31, 2025, to Saturday, August 30, 2025. The motion carried by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Garcia, Solorio, Mendoza - 3
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Lopez - 1
ABSENT: Fajardo - 1
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
City Clerk Fritz reported that the Commissioners monthly attendance report for June was emailed to City Council last week and that the City will be sponsoring a Citywide Employee Appreciation BBQ on July 17, 2025 beginning at 11:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. at Recreation Park, noted that City public counters will be closed for one-hour during this event; and reminded the City Council that the Agenda Item forms requesting presentation to be agendized for the July 28, 2025 Community Recognition Special meeting are due by July 14, 2025 end of day.
Director of Recreation and Community Development Salcedo reported on the 4th of July event and on upcoming programming at the parks.
Director of Public Works Johnson had no updates to report.
Director of Administrative Services Melton noted that Payroll Technician Adrianna Alaniz would be departing this Friday.
Police Chief Valdez had no update to report.
Interim City Manager Kith extended thanks to City staff for the 4 th of July celebration event.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Garcia noted she attended the 4
th of July celebration and thanked staff for their
work.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting July 7, 2025
Councilmember Lopez spoke about families that are suffering and need the City’s support.
Vice Mayor Solorio stated she attended the Valley Economic Alliance Board of Directors meeting, the ICA Board meeting and the 4th of July celebration event and thanked staff for their work.
Mayor Mendoza thanked staff for their work at the 4
th of July celebration event and suggested
that the event be held on another day next year so that staff can celebrate the 4th of July with their families.
ADJOURNMENT (11:40 p.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the regular meeting to the special meeting of July 28, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the July 7, 2025, Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of October 6, 2025.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk