CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026
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 Joel Fajardo called the Special Meeting to order at 5:04 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Joel Fajardo, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia and Councilmembers Mary Mendoza, Mary Solorio (Remote Participation), and Patty Lopez Staff: City Manager Kanika Kith and City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried, unanimously.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS None
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (5:06 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
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Padilla stated no reportable action as a result of Closed Session and noted that Mayor Fajardo recused himself from Closed Session, due to a potential conflict.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 20, 2026
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia to adjourn the Closed Session meeting at 6:16 p.m. The motion carried, unanimously.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Joel Fajardo called the regular meeting to order at 6:17 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Joel Fajardo, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia and Councilmembers Mary Mendoza, Mary Solorio, 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 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 Vice Mayor Garcia to approve the agenda, as amended to remove the Presentation on the City’s 2025 Accomplishments, Agenda Item Nos. 11 and 14 from consideration. The motion carried, unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION ON THE CITY’S 2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
(Item was removed from the Agenda)
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Lupita Gonzalez spoke regarding her support on the recently installed lights in the Mall area and on concerns with ICE in San Fernando (submitted correspondence).
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 20, 2026
Rebecca Zamora spoke regarding Agenda Item No. 21.
Caller ID 2763 spoke about concerns with Agenda Item No. 11.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Garcia requested to pull Agenda Item No. 12 for discussion.
Councilmember Solorio requested to pull Agenda Item No. 6 for discussion.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to approve the Consent Calendar, excluding Item Nos. 6 and 12:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 1, 2025
SPECIAL AND 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 A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE MERINO
GROUP FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTING SERVICES 5) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPOINTING THE CITY’S REPRESENTATIVES TO
THE INDEPENDENT CITIES RISK MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY GOVERNING BOARD 7) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A JOB SPECIFICATION FOR SENIOR
MANAGEMENT ANALYST AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SALARY PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
8) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP CONSULTANTS FOR CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S
IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY, ACCOUNTABILITY, CULTURE, AND RISK-MANAGEMENT
REFORMS
9) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A SECOND READING AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 1738 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, AS AMENDED
10) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH ENTERPRISE FLEET MANAGEMENT
FOR THIRTEEN VEHICLES, ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS, APPROVE A PURCHASE ORDER FOR POLICE K-9 VEHICLE OUTFITTING, AND APPROVE DISPOSITION OF
SURPLUS CITY-OWNED VEHICLES
11) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST OF $12,293.36 FROM THE
MALL ASSOCIATION FOR MARKETING SERVICES PROVIDED BY YEAH, WE GET IT The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 20, 2026
6) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AND GIVING NOTICE OF HOLDING A GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION ON JUNE 2, 2026, REQUEST TO CONSOLIDATE THE
ELECTION WITH THE STATEWIDE ELECTION, AUTHORIZE THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
ELECTIONS OFFICIAL TO PERFORM ELECTION SERVICES, AND ADOPTING AND APPROVING
REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO CANDIDATE STATEMENTS AND RELATED MATERIALS
SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORATE
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 8426: i. Calling and giving notice of the City of San Fernando’s General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, for the election of three (3) City Councilmembers to each serve four-year terms; ii. Approve the request to consolidate the election with the Statewide Election; and request that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors consent, and effectuate such consolidation to issue instructions to the Los Angeles County RegistrarRecorder/County Clerk to take any and all steps necessary for the holding of the consolidated election; iii. Adopt regulations pursuant to Elections Code (EC) Sections 13307 through EC13313, pertaining to candidate statements and related election materials; authorize the City Clerk to file all required documents by February 2, 2026, with the Board of Supervisors to effectuate the request for election consolidated services; and adopt Resolution No. 8417 amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Adopted Budget to appropriate General Fund Reserves for election and associated notification costs. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Mendoza, Garcia, Fajardo - 3
NAYES: Lopez, Solorio - 2
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
12) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH IGNITE THE
LIGHT OF HOPE FOUNDATION FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
Motion by Vice Mayor Garcia, seconded by Mayor Fajardo to direct staff to return to a future Council meeting with additional options with Ignite the Light to continue to offer home grocery delivery service. The motion carried, unanimously.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
13) RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION REGARDING THE CITY’S CLIMATE ACTION AND
RESILIENCE PLAN AND GENERAL PLAN UPDATE TO THE OPEN SPACE, CONSERVATION,
PARKS, AND RECREATION ELEMENT AND MOBILITY ELEMENT
Director of Community Development Garcia along with Willdan consultants presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council received and filed a presentation on the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan and General Plan Updates to the Open Space, Conservation, Parks, and Recreation Element and Mobility Element.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 20, 2026
14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION UPDATING
THE CITY COUNCIL PROCEDURAL MANUAL
(This item was tabled to the February 17, 2026 Regular City Council meeting) 15) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO REVIEW FOOD TRUCK VENDOR EVENTS (“FOODZILLA”) AND THEIR ECONOMIC IMPACT ON NEARBY LOCAL RESTAURANTS Councilmember Mary Solorio presented the staff report.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia to City Council directed staff to return to the Economic Development Ad Hoc to discuss options for the event and provide the ad hoc with analytics of website/social media; and follow up with businesses showcased to receive an update on exposure received from post. The motion carried, unanimously. 16) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO ASSESS THE TURF RESTORATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY
CONDITIONS AT SAN FERNANDO RECREATION PARK FOLLOWING INFILTRATION SYSTEM INSTALLATION (2023)
City Attorney Padilla stated that the item is in potential litigation and recommended that discussion should take place in Closed Session.
Motion by Vice Mayor Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to agendize this subject matter to a future Closed Session meeting to discuss options for resolution, then potentially come back to open session to discuss park safety. The motion carried, unanimously. 17) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO REVIEW DECORATIVE LIGHTING IN THE DOWNTOWN
MALL AREA AND ITS IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESSES
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to direct staff to discuss mall lighting with Area B Ad Hoc, to reach out to businesses about their business hours, and business' opinion on the lights; include ongoing maintenance costs and report back to City Council at a future date. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Solorio, Garcia, Fajardo - 4
NAYES: Mendoza - 1
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
18) DISCUSSION TO PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING CITY SPONSORSHIP, PLANNING
SUPPORT, AND PROMOTION OF AN EDUCATIONAL BUSINESS FORUM ON RECENT BUSINESS
LAWS AND REGULATORY UPDATES
Mayor Joel Fajardo presented the staff report.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 20, 2026
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to direct staff to utilize Business and Community Resource Center staff to organize the event and to use, if needed, Mayor Fajardo's Community Investment Funds for snacks, legal services, interpretation services and for a bilingual flyer; potentially stream/record and share on the city’s website; include pamphlets to distribute; host event in Council Chambers, add option to have remote participation via Zoom. The motion carried, unanimously. 19) DISCUSSION TO PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING A 2026 CITYWIDE PLAN OF ACTION FOR
BEAUTIFICATION, MAINTENANCE, AND COMMUNITY SAFETY
Mayor Joel Fajardo presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to return to the next City Council meeting with an update on the list of priorities provided in staff report; analyze staff capacity and budget impact. 20) CONSIDERATION AND ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION TO PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING A
CITY PRESENTATION ON EVENT REQUESTS, PERMITTING REQUIREMENT, AND RELATED
POLICIES
Mayor Joel Fajardo and Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to include the following information and return to the 2nd meeting in February: 1) option for a simplified event request process for smaller events; 2) understanding protocol on when staff will/will not assist Councilmembers or members of the public on completing the application; and 3) provide cost of translating application to Spanish.
The City Council recessed the meeting at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:45 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
21) DISCUSSION REGARDING A CITYWIDE BUSINESS SURVEY – PRIORITIES, NEEDS, AND CITY
RESOURCES
Councilmember Lopez presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to come back with options for surveys including cost at the mid-year budget review.
22) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING OFFICE 133 USE AND DESIGN Councilmember Lopez presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to return at mid-year budget review with cost to add historical photos, request historical photos back from Metropolitan Water District, and add “City Council Office” wording on the blue wall in Council offices.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting January 20, 2026
23) DISCUSSION REGARDING PARKING ENFORCEMENT – PROCESS FOR CITIZEN COMPLAINTS
REGARDING PARKING SIGNAGE
Councilmember Lopez presented the staff report.
The City Council received and filed the report.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
City Manager Kith provided updates on Public Works Beautification Project City monument signs completed; announced Froster Freeze Ribbon Cutting on January 24; the Community Forum on Immigration, Safety & Homelessness being held on January 28 and has been relocated to Recreation Park; the Education Commission Principals' Brunch on January 30; and mentioned that the Special City Council Recognition Celebration Meeting has been rescheduled to February 23, 2026.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Solorio no comments.
Councilmember Lopez talked about balancing city decisions and requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Renee Good.
Councilmember Mendoza noted she participated in a Martin Luther King Day event in Pacoima at the Boys and Girls Club and would like to take a moment to honor Martin Luther King.
Vice Mayor Garcia mentioned the anti-human trafficking event has been rescheduled to February, noted she participated in a Martin Luther King Day event in Pacoima at the Boys and Girls Club.
Mayor Fajardo thanked staff and colleagues for their hard work and noted he continues to strive to work together to get things done in the city; and talked about the situation in Minneapolis.
ADJOURNMENT 9:16 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to adjourn the regular meeting to the next regular meeting of February 2, 2026.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the January 20, 2026,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of February 17, 2026.
____________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk