CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 2026
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS REMOTE PARTICIPATION
117 MACNEIL STREET VICE MAYOR VICTIORIA GARCIA
SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA 91340 SHERATON GRAND SACRAMENTO HOTEL 1230 J. STREET, SACRAMENTO, CA 95814
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – SPECIAL MEETING 5:00 P.M. (CLOSED SESSION) Mayor Joel Fajardo called the Special Meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Joel Fajardo, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia (Remote Teleconference) and Councilmembers Mary Mendoza, Mary Solorio, and Patty Lopez Staff: City Manager Kanika Kith (Remote Teleconference) and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to approve the agenda as presented. 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 54956.9(D)(2) AND 54956.9(E)(1) - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
One (1) matter
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(2) - ANTICIPATED
LITIGATION
One (1) matter
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Padilla noted that Vice Mayor Garcia participated remotely and was present for the entire Closed Session meeting and further noted that the City Council will be adjourning tonight’s meeting back into Closed Session at the conclusion of the regular meeting.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Joel Fajardo called the regular meeting to order at 6:11 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Joel Fajardo, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia (Remote participation) and Councilmembers Mary Mendoza, Mary Solorio, and Patty Lopez Staff: City Manager Kanika Kith (Remote participation), 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 Public Works Bill Evans, Director of Community Development Ron Garcia, 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 Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to approve the agenda, as amended. The motion carried, unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION AND UPDATE FROM METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT BOARD CHAIR ADAN ORTEGA
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
B. PRESENTATION OF A CERTIFICATE OF PROCLAMATION DECLARING JANUARY 19, 2026, AS CINDY MONTAÑEZ DAY
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Natasha Sanchez Brooks Founder of Yeah, We Get It spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 11.
Elizabeth Sanchez Co-Founder of Yeah, We Get It spoke in support of Agenda Item No. 11.
David Aquirre owner of No Sabo Café expressed his concerns regarding the lack of support from the city to unify local businesses in the Downtown area.
Yolanda Haro thanked the City Council and spoke in favor of the recently installed Downtown lighting and for bringing the Foodzilla event to the city.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Lopez requested to pull Item No. 9 for discussion.
City Attorney Padilla stated that Item No. 11 would be continued to the next City Council meeting.
Councilmember Mendoza noted she would recuse herself from Item No. 9 due to the proximity of her home to the project.
Vice Mayor Garcia requested to pull Item No. 3, 5 and 10 for discussion.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to approve the Consent Calendar except for Item Nos. 3, 5, 9, 10 and Item No. 11 to be continued to the next meeting:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. October 20, 2025 Special & Regular CC
Meeting
c. November 17, 2025 Special & Regular
CC Meeting
b. November 10, 2025 Special & Regular
CC Meeting
2) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NOS. 25-122 AND 26-011 APPROVING THE WARRANT REGISTERS OF DECEMBER 15, 2025 AND JANUARY 5, 2026, RESPECTIVELY 4) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SOLID WASTE
MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
6) CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE FOR
POLICE DEPARTMENT ACCESS CONTROL IMPROVEMENTS AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
7) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CALIFORNIA
STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE TO PROVIDE VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE
SERVICES AND FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS
8) CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT PROJECT COMPLETION AND AUTHORIZE THE RECORDATION OF A NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE BUS SHELTER CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, JOB NO. 7609
10) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CO-SPONSORSHIP AND USE OF THE CITY SEAL FOR
TOGETHER WE THRIVE FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENTS
12) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CO-SPONSORSHIP AND USE OF THE CITY SEAL FOR
TOGETHER WE THRIVE FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENTS
The motion carried, unanimously.
3) RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS UPDATES FOR CITY PROJECTS AND CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Garcia to move the Community Recognition Celebration Special meetingsfrom January to February and July to August. The motion carried by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Solorio, Mendoza, Garcia, Fajardo - 4
NAYES: Lopez - 1
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
5) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A CONDITIONAL CALHOME GRANT
AWARD FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND AUTHORIZE RELATED AGREEMENTS
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to Adopt Resolution No. 8425 accepting a conditional award of $5,000,000 in CalHome grant funds from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) under the 2024 Homeownership Super Notice of Funding Availability (HOSN), CalHome Program, Round 2; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Standard Agreement and any subsequent amendments or modifications thereto, as well as any other documents required by HCD for participation in the CalHome Program. The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
Councilmember Mendoza recused herself from Item No. 9 due to a potential conflict of interest as her residence is within 500 feet of the project, and left the dais at 7:08 p.m. 9) CONSIDERATION TO REJECT CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR THE CALLES VERDES PROJECT, JOB NO. 7605, PLAN NO. P-727
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to reject all construction bids received for the Calles Verdes Project, Job No. 7605, Plan No. P-727. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Solorio, Garcia, Fajardo - 4
NAYES: None
ABSENT: Mendoza - 1
ABSTAIN: None
Councilmember Mendoza returned to the dais at 7:12 p.m. 10) CONSIDERATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR
DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE PACOIMA WASH CONNECTIVITY PROJECT Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to award a Professional Services Contract to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (Contract No. 2470) for design services such as High-Intensity Activated Crosswalks (HAWK) at Glenoaks Boulevard and Fifth Street crossings, irrigation, landscaping, fence upgrades, pedestrian lights, benches, and park and bikeway monuments for the Pacoima Wash Connectivity Project, in an amount not-to-exceed $349,440; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to make non-substantive changes and execute contract and all related documents. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Solorio, Garcia, Fajardo - 4
NAYES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Mendoza - 1
11) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST OF $12,293.36 FROM THE
MALL ASSOCIATION FOR MARKETING SERVICES PROVIDED BY YEAH, WE GET IT (Item was continued to the next meeting)
PUBLIC HEARING
13) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVING INTRODUCTION FOR FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 90 (TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES) OF THE SAN FERNANDO
MUNICIPAL CODE TO MODIFY PARKING RESTRICTIONS OF CERTAIN VEHICLES INCLUDING
FOR USE AS HUMAN HABITATIONS
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
Mayor Fajardo opened the public hearing.
Chief Valdez and Sergeant Dominguez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Section 2 remove single word page 520 section 90-221 b1 – sleeping in “covered” delete the word “covered”.
Continue the hearing to research the minimum feet street width with revised language.
Mayor Fajardo opened public comments.
The following spoke in support:
Miguel Montanez
Julie Cuellar
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to the public comments portion of the hearing. The motion carried, unanimously.
Motion by Vice Mayor Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve introduction for first reading, Ordinance No. 1738 in title only, and waive further reading of “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Fernando, California, Amending Chapter 90 (Traffic And Vehicles) of the San Fernando Municipal to Modify Parking Restrictions of Campers, Recreational Vehicles, Utility Trailers, and Other Vehicles Including Those Used for Human Habitation” as amended to include language to specify that the Chief of Police has discretion, in consultation with Public Works, to deny an application, if the location poses a traffic or public safety hazard, and strike the word "covered" from page 50 of the agenda packet, in Section 2, paragraph b-1 and in any other portions of the ordinance where the word “covered” is not applicable. The motion carried, unanimously.
Mayor Fajardo closed the public hearing.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING CONCEPT DESIGN OPTIONS FOR THE
DOWNTOWN TRASH ENCLOSURES IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
(Item continued to first meeting in February.)
The City Council recessed the meeting at 8:00 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 8:12 p.m. with Councilmember Lopez absent.
It was noted that Councilmember Lopez returned to the meeting at 8:14 p.m.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
16) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AND
PREVENTION EVENT FOR THE CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
Vice Mayor Garcia presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Mendoza, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia to approve a cosponsorship of a human trafficking awareness and prevention presentation on January 29, 2026, with a possible follow-up date, for our community, including an emphasis on how to protect children, especially with online safety, that will be hosted by ZOE International. This co-sponsorship would allow us to use Council Chambers for the presentation, allow our Police Department to participate more robustly, and allow the city to promote the event.
The motion carried, unanimously.
17) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE REQUEST TO AGENDIZE AN ITEM FOR
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION FORM
Vice Mayor Garcia presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Vice Mayor Garcia stated that she would work on recommendations to revisions to the “Request to Agendize an Item for City Council Discussion/Consideration Form” to potentially include information on the form that identifies which City Council priority and under which approved budget the item aligns with, and stated that she would bring back the item for discussion at a future City Council meeting. 15) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS, AD
HOC COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS, APPOINT A CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR TO THE DISASTER
COUNCIL, AND APPOINT A VOTING DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE DELEGATE FOR THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS 2026 ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MEETING
Mayor Fajardo presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to approve:
a. Deleting the Parking Management and the Downtown Mall Merchants Association Ad Hoc Committees;
b. Approve the ICRMA Liaison order of representatives as stated in the staff report; c. Dissolve the Waste Hauler Ad Hoc Committee once a Request for Proposal is approved; d. Create a Street Sweeping & Tree Trimming Ad Hoc Committee with Mayor Fajardo and Councilmember Solorio to serve on the committee and dissolve the committee once a Request for Proposal is approved;
e. Appoint Mayor Fajardo as Chair and Vice Mayor Garcia as Vice Chair to the Disaster Council to serve until their successors are appointed;
f. Appoint Councilmember Solorio as the Voting Delegate and Vice Mayor Garcia as the Alternate Delegate to Southern California Council of Governments 2026 Annual General Assembly Meeting; and
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
g. Directed staff to work on consolidation of the three separate lists pertaining to Commissions, Liaison and Ad Hoc Committees into one list, and begin posting the Liaison and Ad Hoc Committee lists to the City’s website.
The motion carried, unanimously.
22) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION ON THE PROCESS FOR REQUESTING AND HOSTING
EVENTS IN THE CITY
Councilmember Mendoza presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to return to a meeting in February, with information on the process for organizations to host events in the city. 18) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION ON HOSTING AN EDUCATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM ON
RECENT BUSINESS LAWS AND RELATED TOPICS
(Item tabled to a future meeting)
19) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE CELEBRATION DISTRICT CHARTER: MERCHANTLED GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK FOR AREA B Councilmember Solorio presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to direct staff to meet with Area B Ad Hoc Committee to establish an outreach process on how the city plans to involve merchants in Area B to discuss fund use; hold a meet and confer with general unit union regarding work that can be done by city staff, evaluate and recap city events held by My Valley Pass and return to the first meeting in February with an informational presentation.
The motion carried, unanimously.
By consensus, the City Council tabled the following Item Nos. 20, 21 and 22 to the January 20, 2026 City Council meeting:
20) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO REVIEW FOOD TRUCK VENDOR EVENTS (“FOODZILLA”) AND THEIR ECONOMIC IMPACT ON NEARBY LOCAL RESTAURANTS 21) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO ASSESS THE TURF RESTORATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY
CONDITIONS AT SAN FERNANDO RECREATION PARK FOLLOWING INFILTRATION SYSTEM INSTALLATION (2023)
23) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO REVIEW DECORATIVE LIGHTING IN THE DOWNTOWN
MALL AREA AND ITS IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 5, 2026
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
Staff provided updates regarding launch of the Police Department’s Area Lead Officer Program and announced the Police Department’s Community Forum scheduled for January 28, 2026.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Lopez wished everyone a Happy New Year, stated she is looking forward to 2026 and bringing more resources to the community, including the planning of a City Christmas Parade.
Councilmember Solorio happy new year to all staff and appreciated how the meeting was led by Mayor Fajardo.
Councilmember Mendoza wished everyone a Happy New Year and noted she attended Sister Mary Jesús Ochoa’s mass celebration.
Vice Mayor Garcia wished everyone a Happy New Year, noted she visited the San Fernando Courthouse orientation meeting with Supervising Judge of L. A. County Superior Court's North Valley District, attended a SCAG meeting, the City’s Employee Holiday luncheon, the Valley Economic Alliance Board Installation event, mentioned she attended an ad hoc committee meeting and Sister Mary Jesús Ochoa’s mass celebration.
Mayor Fajardo wished everyone a Happy New Year and noted he attended Sister Mary Jesús Ochoa’s mass celebration.
ADJOURNMENT 9:39 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to adjourn the regular meeting to the next regular meeting on January 20, 2026 and that the City Council would reconvene back into Closed Session meeting. The motion carried, unanimously.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the January 5, 2026,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of February 2, 2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk