CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:15 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 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 and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: Interim City Manager Kanika Kith and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: Vice Mayor Mary Solorio
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the agenda.
The motion carried, with Vice Mayor Solorio absent.
Councilmember Fajardo stated he would recuse himself from discussion regarding Item B).
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:16 P.M.)
By consensus, Councilmembers recessed to Closed Session.
A) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(4) – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION:
One (1) matter
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1) - EXISTING
LITIGATION
CASE NAME: BRAND ESTATES, LLC V. CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
LACSC CASE NO.: 25STCP02636
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting August 18, 2025
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney stated there was no reportable action as a result of Closed Session meeting.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Mary Mendoza called the regular meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, 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, Acting Director of Community Development Ron Garcia, and City Clerk Julia Fritz
Absent: Vice Mayor Mary Solorio
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE
None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the agenda.
The motion carried, with Vice Mayor Solorio absent.
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION FROM LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ALBERTO M. CARVALHO AND DISTRICT 6 BOARD MEMBER KELLY GONEZ ON INITIATIVES
FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting August 18, 2025
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Tom Ross spoke regarding the Metro project and offered suggested route be extended through Wolfskill.
Maria Fernanda Pineda C. was called but did not speak.
Charming Evelyn spoke about transparency concerns regarding the city’s current representative for Metropolitan Water District Board Chair Ortega.
Paulina Torres Northeast Field Deputy for Supervisor Horvath’s Office expressed thanks to the City Council for their support through the Ignite the Light of Hope initiative.
Rosenda Benitez was called but did not speak.
Flor Siordia spoke regarding immigration services in the San Fernando community.
Miguel Miguel Director of Sierra Club California spoke regarding environmental issues related to imported water the Delta Conveyance Project and potential water rate increases from Metropolitan Water District.
Ricardo Benitez spoke in support of bringing the Mexican Consulate Mobile Services program to San Fernando.
Penelope spoke in opposition of Metropolitan Water District’s Board Chair Ortega for voting in support of the funding related to the Delta Conveyance Project.
Martha Rodriguez spoke about concerns and is in opposition of Metropolitan Water District’s Board Chair Ortega representing San Fernando.
Katie Wagner from the Sierra Club California spoke of concerns regarding transparency with representative Metropolitan Water District Board Chair Ortega and his support of the Delta Conveyance Project.
Ms. Rivera spoke regarding concerns with transparency in the process with Metropolitan Water Districts search for a new General Manager and recent decisions made by Board Chair Ortega related to the Delta Conveyance Project.
Layne spoke in opposition of the Delta Conveyance Project.
Barbara Barrigan-Parilla, Executive Director of Restore the Delta spoke about concerns with San Fernando’s Metropolitan Water District representative Board Chair Ortega’s decision in support of the Delta Conveyance Project and seeks transparency in the hiring of the next General Manager.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting August 18, 2025
Mayor Christina Esperanza, Mayor of the City of Stockon spoke about concerns associated with the Delta Conveyance Project and the city’s representative Metropolitan Water District Board Chair Ortega.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Fajardo pulled Item No. 12 for discussion; Councilmember Garcia pulled Item Nos. 4 and 7 for discussion and Mayor Mendoza pulled Item No. 10 for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve Item Nos. 1- 3, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. May 27, 2025 – Special 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
5) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CO-SPONSORSHIP AND USE OF THE CITY SEAL FOR
NORTHEAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY WORKSOURCE CENTER JOB FAIR EVENTS, AND REQUEST TO WAIVE FACILITY PERMIT FEES”
6) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION SETTING THE PROPERTY TAX RATE REQUIRED TO MEET THE CITY’S OBLIGATION TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
8) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN
FERNANDO PART-TIME EMPLOYEES BARGAINING UNIT
9) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A LEASE LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR RENTAL OF OFFICE SPACE FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL EXAMINER’S STAFF
11) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE VICE MAYOR MARY SOLORIO’S REQUEST TO EXCUSE ABSENCES FROM THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 4, 2025 (RETROACTIVE) AND THE UPCOMING REGULAR MEETINGS OF AUGUST 18, 2025, SEPTEMBER 2, 2025, AND SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 DUE TO FAMILY MEDICAL REASONS The motion carried, with Vice Mayor Solorio absent.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting August 18, 2025
4) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH EL CENTRO DE AMISTAD, INC. TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES, APPROVE COSPONSORSHIP OF EVENTS AND USE OF THE CITY SEAL, AND REQUEST TO WAIVE FACILITY
PERMIT FEES
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to approve Contract No. 2416, co‐sponsorship, as amended to waive fees, subject to City Manager approval, and correction to page 120/121 to update the mailing address of the Notices section to be consistent. The motion carried, with Vice Mayor Solorio absent. 7) CONSIDERATION TO ESTABLISH A BUSINESS TAX DELINQUENT FEE AMNESTY PROGRAM
AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to adopt Resolution No. 8406; as amended to include waiving all fees/penalties from businesses or individuals making payment towards delinquent balance and accepting payments up to 12 months with a minimum initial payment of $500. The motion carried, with Vice Mayor Solorio absent.
10) RECEIVE AND FILE UPDATE REPORT ON THE CITY’S SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE PROGRAM Motion by Mayor Mendoza, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to receive and file the report as presented and directed staff to review the potential of completing the removal and replacement of Grid F. The motion carried, with Vice Mayor Solorio absent. 12) CONSIDERATION TO SUBMIT A POSITION LETTER TO METRO ON EAST SAN FERNANDO
RIGHT OF WAY STUDY OPTIONS
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Mayor Mendoza to approve the position letter to Metro on the east San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project; and authorize the City Manager to distribute the letter to all contracts listed. The motion carried by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Garcia, Mendoza - 2
NAYES: Fajardo - 1
ABSTAIN: Lopez - 1
ABSENT: Solorio – 1
The City Council recessed the meeting at 8:38 p.m. and reconvened at 8:56 p.m. with Vice Mayor Solorio absent.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting August 18, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
13) A 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 (CONTINUED TO SEPTEMBER 2, 2025)
This item was continued to the September 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE SAFE AND BEAUTIFUL PARK INITIATIVE The City Council received and filed an update report. No action was taken. 15) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION ON THE RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM THE MEXICAN
CONSULATE TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION AND EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR
COLLABORATION
Director of Recreation and Community Services Julio Salcedo presented the report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council directed staff to research the Aquatic Center as a possible venue and, if unavailable, to contact other organizations as potential sites for the Mexican Consulate services. Staff will also work with Flor (Asociación de Jalisciences Unidos en Acción) to identify a feasible facility and secure an earlier date. Additional outreach will be made to groups such as the Masonic Lodge, and staff will invite the Consulate to the next meeting (or the September meeting) to provide a presentation and clarify facility use requirements.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
Interim City Manager Kith provided the City Council with updates related to the San Fernando Together Program, roof replacement project, reseeding of the soccer field at Layne Park, and on various community events.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Fajardo spoke about concerns over the homeless population in the city and will be agendizing this topic at a future City Council meeting.
Councilmember Garcia spoke about public comments received by callers. She attended the plaque unveiling ceremony honoring former Recreation Department Directors Julian Leon and Jess Mararito; the 10-year anniversary celebration of San Fernando Brewing; the Contract Cities
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting August 18, 2025
Association meeting and expressed concerns over the public comments made regarding MWD’s transparency in their hiring processes and on the Delta Conveyance Project.
Councilmember Lopez recognized former City Manager on past city events and suggested that the City follow protocols that should recognize City staff in attendance at these events.
Mayor Mendoza thanked staff for their work and expressed condolences to the families of the three seniors that recently passed who were part of the Las Palmas Senior group adjourned the meeting in their memory.
ADJOURNMENT (10:03 p.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the regular meeting to the special meeting of September 2, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the August 18, 2025,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of October 20, 2025.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk