CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 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 5:05 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio (Remote Teleconference) and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez Staff: City Manager Kanika Kith and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: None
It was noted that Vice Mayor Solorio participated under AB 2449 via remote teleconferencing using just cause and confirmed that there is no one over the age of 18 years of age in the room.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager Kith requested that Item B. be tabled to a future meeting as there are no updates being provided at this time.
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, Mayor Mendoza seconded to continue Item A. to a future meeting for transparency purposes, where it would be placed as an open session item and staff was directed to provide a report on standard process on dealing with these types of real estate transactions, the RFP process, best practices, whether this process has happened to the City before or with the City before. The motion failed, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Garcia, Mendoza - 2
NAYES: Lopez, Fajardo, Solorio - 3
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting November 17, 2025
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Solorio, to approve the agenda as amended to table item B. to a future meeting. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Fajardo, Solorio - 3
NAYES: Garcia, Mendoza - 2
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:14 P.M.)
By consensus, Councilmembers recessed to Closed Session.
A) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.8 - CONFERENCE
WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR
Subject Property: City -Property , APN APN 2521-031-901, 2521-031-902, 2521-031-903 (Parking Lot #3)
City Negotiator: Kanika Kith City Manager
Negotiating Party: Severyn I. Aszkenazy, President Aszkenazy Development, Inc. and Rudy Ortega, Tribal President, Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Under Discussion: Price, terms of payment as relates to development of property B) 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)
(Item tabled to a future meeting)
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney reported no action was taken regarding Item A. and Item B. was not considered.
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.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting November 17, 2025
Present: Council: Mayor Mary Mendoza, Vice Mayor Mary Solorio (Remote Teleconference) and Councilmembers Joel Fajardo, Victoria Garcia, and Patty Lopez Staff: 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, and City Clerk Julia Fritz
Absent: None
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE
Vice Mayor Solorio participated under AB 2449 via remote teleconferencing using just cause due to child care reasons and confirmed that there was no one in the room 18 years of age or older.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the agenda.
The motion carried, unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
A. ANNUAL PROCLAMATION
• NATIONAL VETERANS & MILITARY FAMILIES MONTH – NOVEMBER 2025
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Celia Rivas spoke regarding seeking City Council’s support for the proposed Christmas Parade.
Lupita Gonzalez spoke regarding Parking Lot 3 and is opposed to apartments being built at that location.
John David Rivera spoke about revenues from merchants of the bridal shop corridor continuing revitalizing the downtown area.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting November 17, 2025
Paulina Torres Policy Advocate for Supervisor Horvath’s Office, spoke, provided updates on events and on the rent relief program.
Albert Hernandez from Home Again Los Angeles reported on the number of unhoused families and individuals that received support and were assisted with securing housing.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Lopez requested to pull Item Nos. 2, 3 and 4 for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the Consent Calendar Item Nos 1, 3 and 6:
1) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE WARRANT REGISTER 5) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 SALARY
PLAN FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES, CITY COUNCILMEMBERS, CITY MANAGER AND POLICE
CORPORALS AND IMPLEMENT CHANGES TO THE PART-TIME BARGAINING UNIT GROUP
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
6) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY’S CURRENT FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ANNUAL FEE SCHEDULE TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL EVENT DAILY LICENSE FEE The motion carried, unanimously.
Motion by Councilmember Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 2, 3 and 4:
2) RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS UPDATES FOR CITY PROJECTS AND CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES 3) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH IGNITE THE
LIGHT OF HOPE FOUNDATION FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS, HOME GROCERY DELIVERY, AND
RELATED FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
4) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING MEASURE A FUNDS, AND
APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH HOME AGAIN
LOS ANGELES AND NORTH VALLEY CARING SERVICES TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE
HOMELESS SERVICES
The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting November 17, 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
7) PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A PROPOSED DRAFT AMENDMENT TO THE 6TH CYCLE (2021-2029) HOUSING ELEMENT TO UPDATE THE
SITES INVENTORY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE HOUSING ELEMENT LAW Mayor Mendoza opened the public hearing.
Interim Director of Community Development Ron Garcia presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Mendoza opened public comments.
Brent Bell spoke in opposition to any residential on First Street.
Mayor Mendoza closed public comments.
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Mayor Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 8420 amending the Sites Inventory of the 6th Cycle (2021-2029) Housing Element of the San Fernando General Plan by removing certain parcels and adding new sites to ensure compliance with State Housing Law pursuant to Government Code Sections 65580– 65589.11. The motion carried, unanimously.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
8) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED
COMPREHENSIVE UPDATES TO THE CITY COUNCIL PROCEDURAL MANUAL Councilmember Joel Fajardo and City Attorney Richard Padilla presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council directed the City Attorney to continue to work on edits to the Procedural Manual with Councilmember Fajardo and provide a complete redlined version in advance of bringing final proposed edits to the second City Council meeting in January 2026; to keep December meeting as ceremonial as it is currently written in the Procedural Manual; and if the City Council is deadlocked during the annual reorganization process, the City Attorney will provide in advance options for tie breaker scenarios. 9) RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A MUNICIPAL
IDENTIFICATION CARD PROGRAM
Assistant to the City Manager Will Pettener presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions. The City council received and filed the informational report. No action was taken.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting November 17, 2025
10) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO TRANSITION THE DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN TO A
TARGETED IMPLEMENTATION PHASE AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE
TO EXECUTE A FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
DUDEK CONSULTING GROUP TO AMEND THE SCOPE OF WORK
Interim Director of Community Development Ron Garcia presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Vice Mayor Solorio, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to approve the Transition of the Downtown Master Plan to a Targeted Implementation Phase by preparing an Opportunity Site Analysis; and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute a Fourth Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Dudek Consulting Group to amend the scope of work to transition the Downtown Master Plan effort to a Targeted Implementation Phase. The motion carried, unanimously.
11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO CO-SPONSOR A SAN FERNANDO CHRISTMAS PARADE
Councilmember Lopez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council directed staff to continue to work on the process to obtain an estimated budget to bring options for the City to host a Christmas parade in 2026 that would be discussed during the upcoming FY 26‐27 proposed budget study session. 12) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING SAFETY AND SECURITY PLAN MEASURES
FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS
Councilmember Lopez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council City Council directed staff to return to a future City Council meeting with a draft safety and security plan.
13) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT A DONATION OF EIGHT AIR PURIFIERS THROUGH VETERANS SUPPORT INITIATIVE AND ALICIA BROADOUS DUNCAN MULTIPURPOSE SENIOR CENTER (This Item was removed for Consideration from the Agenda) 14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE PROMOTION OF THE CITY’S
PROGRAMS, RESOURCES, AND EVENTS
Councilmember Garcia presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council directed staff to return to a future meeting with information on a consultant to help develop policy and procedure to supplement staff with assistance on social medias engagement and cost in-house versus outsourcing.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting November 17, 2025
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
Staff provided updates regarding upcoming events for San Fernando Together program, Foodzilla, the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, closure of City Facilities on November 27 and 28 in observance of Thanksgiving and City Hall will be closed to the public during the week of December 25 through January 5, 2026, announced new employees recently hired and that the new city email domain will be rolled out from SFCity.org to SanFernando.gov and that the Citywide Employee Appreciation Holiday Party will occur on December 10.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Garcia attended the Veteran’s Day Parade.
Councilmember Lopez thanked staff for their work and requested a City jacket with her name, City logo and Title imprinted on the jacket.
Councilmember Fajardo spoke about the mall merchants in District Area B and spoke about having an accurate accounting of money disbursed thus far.
Vice Mayor Solorio wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and is looking forward to reorganizing at the next meeting.
Mayor Mendoza participated in the Veteran’s Day Parade, attended the Metropolitan State Water Trip in Sacramento and wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
ADJOURNMENT (9:31 p.m.)
Mayor Mendoza adjourned the regular meeting to the next regular meeting of December 1, 2025.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the November 17, 2025,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of January 5, 2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk