CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 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 6:00 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez
Staff: Interim City Manager Kanika Kith and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Lopez 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 54957.6 – CONFERENCE
WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
Unrepresented Employee: City Manager
City Representative: Richard Padilla, City Attorney
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting October 20, 2025
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957 – PUBLIC
EMPLOYMENT
Title: City Manager
C) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1) –
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Case Name: Rene Lupercio v. City of San Fernando
Case No.: 2:24-cv-603621-CBM (JPPx)
D) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(1) –
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Case Name: Brand Estates, LLC v. City of San Fernando
LACSC Case No.: 2SSTCPO2030
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney stated that there were no reportable actions as a result of the Closed Session meeting held at 5:00 p.m. It was noted that Councilmember Fajardo recused himself from Item D.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Mary Mendoza called the regular meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio 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 Recreation and Community Services Julio Salcedo, Interim Director of Community Development Ron Garcia, Interim Director of Public Works Bill Evans, and City Clerk Julia Fritz
Absent: None
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE
None
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting October 20, 2025
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Mendoza requested that an item be walked on to the agenda regarding the discussion of extending the Mexican Consulate on Wheels Program Services.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the agenda, as amended to approve the walk-on item requested by Mayor Mendoza to discuss continuing the Mexican Consulate on Wheels Program Services. The motion carried, unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION FROM THE MEXICAN AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE USA
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Tom Ross seeded his time to President of the San Fernando Mall Association regarding Agenda Item No. 8.
Antonia Escobedo commented on an event coming to San Fernando community being held at Las Palmas Park.
Lupita Gonzalez asked for improvements in the mall area such as additional lights and to assist in promoting local downtown businesses.
Jonathan Canton spoke about a sweet sixteen celebration event.
Christina Bernal President of the San Fernando Mall Association provided an update on the work being done to spotlight businesses within the mall area and was opposed to Agenda Item No. 8.
Dave Bernal commented in opposition to Agenda Item No. 8.
Gavin McKiernon spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 6.
Paulina Torres Policy Advocate for Supervisor Horvath’s Office spoke regarding community-based programs and to apply for funds by October 31 regarding the County’s rent relief program beginning in December.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting October 20, 2025
Priscilla Estrada spoke in support of the tree lighting event remaining in the place as previously held.
Arait Martinez owner of House of Dress shop spoke in support of the San Fernando Mall Association’s events.
Yvonne Pene spoke in opposition to Agenda Item No. 8.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Garcia pulled Item No. 5 for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the Consent Calendar, excluding Item No. 5:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. August 18, 2025 – Special & Regular CC Meeting
2) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WARRANT REGISTER 3) RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS UPDATES FOR CITY PROJECTS AND CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES 4) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR STRATEGIC
PLAN CONSULTING SERVICES
6) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A DATE CHANGE FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY MILE RUN/WALK EVENT FROM SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2026, TO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026 The motion carried, unanimously.
5) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTIONS APPROVING A SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY AND A
PERSONNEL INVESTIGATIONS POLICY
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to approve Resolution No. 8413 approving the Social Media Policy. The motion carried, unanimously.
The City Council continued the Personnel Investigation Policy Resolution No. 8414 to the next meeting to consider potential edits to the policy update.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
5) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1737 AMENDING DIVISION 3 (GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS) OF ARTICLE II (CITY COUNCIL) OF CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION) OF THE SAN FERNANDO MUNICIPAL CODE TO CHANGE THE CITY’S GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION DATE FROM THE
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting October 20, 2025
STATEWIDE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER OF EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS TO THE STATEWIDE
ELECTION DATES THAT ALTERNATES BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE OF EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS BEGINNING JUNE 2, 2026
Interim City Manager Kith presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to adopt Ordinance No. 1737 that was introduced for first reading at the City Council meeting of October 6, 2025, in title only and waive all further readings, titled: “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Fernando, California, repealing prior Ordinance No. 1668 and amending Division 3 (General Municipal Elections) of Article II (City Council) of Chapter 2 (Administration) of the San Fernando Municipal Code to change the date of the City’s General Municipal Elections from the Statewide Election date in November of evennumbered years to the Statewide Election date that alternates between March and June of even-numbered years beginning June 2, 2026”. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Fajardo, Garcia, Mendoza - 3
NAYE: Lopez, Solorio - 2
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
8) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE DESIGNATING AREA ADJACENT TO THE LÓPEZ ADOBE HISTORICAL HOUSE FOR THE 2025 HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND
AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF LIGHTING AND DECORATIONS IN THE
SAN FERNANDO MALL
City Manager Kith presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Fajardo to move to authorize the Public Works Department to purchase and install new lighting and holiday decorations in the San Fernando Mall in an amount not to exceed $220,615.10 and the direction for tree lighting to extend in more than the two block area, as much as can be covered, not to rent and only to buy decorations, utilizing the downtown promotional Area B account to cover related expenditures, leaving a balance of $26,000 in the account.
ROLL CALL
AYES: Garcia, Fajardo, Mendoza - 3
NAYES: Lopez, Solorio - 2
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve hosting the 2025 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the San Fernando Mall, featuring a Holiday Night Market and the temporary closure of San Fernando Road between Brand Avenue and San Fernando Mission Road. The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting October 20, 2025
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at 8:42 p.m. and reconvened at 8:56 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
9) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION FOR POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF AN EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT PENDING CLOSED SESSION DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION ON FINAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF KANIKA KITH AS THE CITY MANAGER City Attorney Padilla presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
City Attorney Padilla announced that the salient terms of an executive official’s employment contract under state law must be approved at a regular meeting in open session as a non-consent item. He stated that the City Council deliberated on the item in Closed Session with respect to the terms of the contract and stated that a copy of the final version of the proposed employment agreement was made available to the public for review. Additionally, he reported that the employment agreement mirrors that of former City Manager Kimball, however without a CPI adjustment or an anti-compaction provision to the agreement. Miss Kith’s based salary will be $264,350 with medical benefits pursuant to Resolution No. 8289, with her retirement status with CalPers changing to Tier 2, severance payment of 18 months and an annual evaluation with the optional quarterly evaluations, as needed.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve the candidate for appointment; approve the City Manager Employment Agreement; and authorize the Mayor to execute the Employment Agreement on behalf of the City Council.
The motion carried, unanimously.
10) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO CO-SPONSOR A COMMUNITY QUINCEAÑERA
CELEBRATION EVENT, APPROVE USE OF THE CITY SEAL, AND REQUEST TO WAIVE FACILITY
PERMIT FEES
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report.
Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio to approve co‐ sponsorship, waive facility permit fees and requested that staff to provide clarification of the fee waiver allocation vs community investment fund, via email to the City Council. The motion passed unanimously.
.
Mayor Mendoza requested to walk on the following item:
12) CONSIDERATION TO EXTEND THE MEXICAN CONSULATE WHEELS PROGRAM SERVICES THROUGH NOVEMBER 4
Mayor Mendoza presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting October 20, 2025
The City Council directed staff to reach out to Supervisor Horvath's Office to request a 15- day extension at the Aquatic Center (Recreation Park) and to fund facility use fees; if no response, send letter Congresswoman Luz Rivas asking same; if no response, send letter to Senator Menjivar asking same; if no response, send letter to Assemblymember Rodriguez; if no response asking same, send letter to LAUSD Board Member Gonez asking same; if no response, reach out to City of Los Angeles Councilmember Monica Rodriguez to collaborate with the City on funding facility use fees; and if no response, consider moving event to Santa Rosa Church. The motion carried, unanimously.
11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION ON CITY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Councilmember Joel Fajardo presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to return to the November 17, 2025 City Council meeting with a redlined version of Councilmember Fajardo's requested amendments; return to a future Council meeting with a resolution to include the presentation of Measure A/SF Townhall at a City Council meeting to promote transparency and public participation; update the Disaster Council list; eliminate the Senior Advisory Committee; add clarifying information to allow Councilmembers to speak to union groups; update the policy on allotted time for Councilmembers to work with the City Attorney; update the request to agendize form to remove the fiscal impact, priorities, budgeted section; create a City Council Handbook Ad Hoc Committee with Councilmembers Fajardo and Lopez serving on the committee to work with staff on updates to the handbook; and to consider trademarking City logos and the budget impact during Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget process.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
Staff provided updates on upcoming events regarding the San Fernando Together Program; Empower San Fernando 6th Entrepreneurship Workshop; Dia de Los Muertos Cultural Festival; discover San Fernando’s Monthly Food distribution and on the City Council Special Community Recognition Celebration Meeting.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Garcia noted she attended the San Fernando Police Department’s National Night Out event, the WELL Fellowship Delta Project event, California Contract Cities Association Board meeting, the Mexican Consulate on Wheels Program Grand Opening event, and participated as a “Principal for a Day” at Mission High School Continuance School.
Councilmember Lopez expressed thanks to the City Council and staff for bringing the Mexican Consulate services to San Fernando.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting October 20, 2025
Councilmember Fajardo thanked Councilmember Lopez for bringing the Mexican Consulate Wheels Program Services to the City and commented on the Mall Association discussion.
Vice Mayor Solorio thanked Will and Kenya for their work on a grant proposal.
Mayor Mendoza thank staff for their efforts and support and spoke about the Mexican Consulate Wheels Program Services.
ADJOURNMENT (10:21 p.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the regular meeting to the adjourned regular meeting of November 10, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the October 20, 2025,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of January 5, 2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk