CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 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 5:01 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 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 (5:02 P.M.)
By consensus, Councilmembers recessed to Closed Session.
A) 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
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(2) AND 54956.9(E)(1) - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 2, 2026
One (1) matter
C) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(D)(4) - INITIATION
OF LITIGATION
One (1) matter
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Padilla reported that Mayor Fajardo recused himself from Item A and B due to a potential conflict of interest; and further noted that there was no reportable action from the Closed Session meeting.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Lopez to adjourn the Special Meeting at 6:06 p.m. The motion carried.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Joel Fajardo called the regular meeting to order at 6:06 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, 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 Mendoza to approve the agenda. The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 2, 2026
Due to technical audio and video live-streaming issues, the City Council recessed the meeting at 6:07 p.m. and reconvened at 6:12 p.m., with the issues resolved and all Councilmembers present.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Julio Martinez spoke of concerns regarding being contacted by Mayor Fajardo regarding his opinion on the recent candidate recently promoted to the Police Commander position.
Enrique Escobar spoke regarding trust with the Police Department and about the Community Forum held by the Police Department and qualified applicants in positions.
Paulina Torres, from Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s office, shared that the County Board of Supervisors voted that ICE cannot operate within Los Angeles County’s jurisdiction and noted the creation of a new homelessness division that will not include LAHSA.
Yolanda Haro spoke regarding concerns associated with Agenda Item No. 11.
Benito Bernal spoke regarding tonight’s agenda and on conversations associated with immigration and ICE enforcement activities.
Angie Ferra Perez spoke regarding concerns related to various agenda items.
Brissa Magana spoke regarding the agenda item for compassionate city item and on ICE activities in the city.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Fajardo pulled Consent Calendar Item No. 6 for discussion.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to approve the Consent Calendar, excluding Item No. 6:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. July 28, 2025 Special CC Meeting c. January 5, 2026 Special & Regular CC Meeting
b. October 27, 2025 Special 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 AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION TO SUPPORT SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT DETAILS
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 2, 2026
5) CONSIDERATION TO AWARD A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO MARIPOSA LANDSCAPING INC. FOR WATER FACILITIES AND CITY EASEMENT LANDSCAPE SERVICES The motion carried, unanimously.
6) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A BUSINESS LICENSE PERMIT FOR PEARL DAY SPA, A MASSAGE PARLOR LOCATED AT 2035 GLENOAKS BOULEVARD, PURSUANT TO SAN FERNANDO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 22-215
Motion by Councilmember Solorio, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia to approve a Business License Permit for Pearl Day spa to conduct business for the 2026 calendar year as a massage parlor at 2035 Glenoaks Boulevard, pursuant to the San Fernando Municipal Code Section 22-215. The motion carried by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Solorio, Mendoza, Garcia - 3
NAYES: None
ABSTAIN: Fajardo, Lopez - 2
ABSENT: None
Mayor Fajardo stated he would recuse himself from Agenda Item No. 7 due to a potential conflict of interest as his appointed Commissioner is the owner of Yeah, We Get It. The meeting was turned over to Vice Mayor Garcia and Mayor Fajardo left the dais at 6:43 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST OF $12,293.36 FROM THE MALL ASSOCIATION FOR MARKETING SERVICES PROVIDED BY YEAH,
WE GET IT
City Manager Kith presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
By consensus, the City Council approved staff recommendation to continue the item to a date uncertain.
Mayor Fajardo returned to the dais at 6:50 p.m.
8) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CO-SPONSORSHIP AND USE OF THE CITY
SEAL WITH IGNITE THE LIGHT OF HOPE FOUNDATION FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS Assistant to the City Manager Pettener presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve co-sponsorship of food distribution events hosted by Ignite the Light of Hope Foundation to support food security and community well-being through the San Fernando Together Initiative; approve
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 2, 2026
the use of the City seal on print material and social media pursuant to City Council Ordinance No. 1724; and continue the consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding with ITLH to continue food distributions through an amended scope, and to provide related fundraising support to a future City Council meeting date. The motion carried, unanimously. 9) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND
LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION REQUESTS
Assistant to the City Manager Pettener presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to approve the 2026 Legislative Platform; and approve the 2026 Legislative Appropriation Requests. The motion carried, unanimously.
Items heard out of order
Mayor Fajardo requested that Item Nos. 11 and 12 be heard before Item No. 10. 11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF ORGANIZING AN ALL-CITIES CANDLE VIGIL TO
HONOR LIVES LOST IN FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT INCIDENTS Councilmember Mary Solorio presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to come back to next meeting on logistics and reach out to non-profits, the faith-based community to determine how it can be done and parameters to establish cost estimates. The motion carried by consensus. 12) DISCUSSION AND TO PROVIDE STAFF WITH DIRECTION REGARDING DREAMERS SERVING
THEIR COMMUNITY AND REVIEW OF STATE PROPOSALS LIMITING ICE PERSONNEL FROM
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT
Mayor Joel Fajardo presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to return with an ordinance amending City commission eligibility requirements to allow Dreamers to serve as commissioners by removing the registered voter requirement wording; and requested staff to track the progress of the status of the bill regarding limiting eligibility of certain ICE personnel for government employment.
10) RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION AND STATUS UPDATES ON CITY BEAUTIFICATION
EFFORTS
Public Works Operations Manager Mora presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council requested staff to return to a future meeting to seek public feedback on social media to determine if Public Works should add new bulky item trash pick-up routes/locations; seek feedback from community on graffiti hotspots; bring back discussions during the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 mid-year budget to provide estimate of costs
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 2, 2026
for remaining replacement of resident tree requests; begin plan to transform Cindy Montanez Natural Park into a Monarch Butterfly reserve and clean-up activities; costs to beautify City to include but not limited to, information on sidewalk repairs above 2.5 inches, list of sidewalk complaints by residents, cost on filling empty planters, additional cleaning of parks public restrooms and resident requested tree replacements; clarify how many bulky item pick up trips does Republic offer; and approved 60 hours of Public Works overtime towards weekly beautification efforts.
The City Council recessed the meeting at 8:22 p.m. and reconvened at 8:40 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
13) DISCUSSION REGARDING SAN FERNANDO CHRISTMAS PARADE 2026 – A CELEBRATION OF
COMMUNITY & HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report
City Council discussion to provide staff direct the City Administration to evaluate the feasibility, logistics, and estimated costs of the proposed San Fernando Christmas Parade 2026, in collaboration with Organización Emprende, and report back to the City Council at a future meeting with findings and recommendations.
14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO DRAFT AND SEND A LETTER TO
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS URGING REASSESSMENT OF INCREASED FUNDING FOR U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT (ICE) DUE
TO RECENT USE-OF-FORCE INCIDENTS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES Councilmember Mary Solorio presented the staff report.
Motion by Councilmember Solorio, seconded by Mayor Fajardo to direct staff to prepare a letter from the City to Congressional and Federal legislators in opposition to proposed increases in funding for ICE enforcement operations. The motion carried, unanimously. 15) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF A MOTION TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE
VOTER EDUCATION AND OUTREACH CAMPAIGN REGARDING THE CHANGE IN MUNICIPAL ELECTION DATE FROM NOVEMBER 2026 TO JUNE 2026
Councilmember Mary Solorio presented the staff report.
Motion by Councilmember Solorio, seconded by Mayor Fajardo to direct staff to return to the next meeting with a comprehensive non-partisan voter education and outreach campaign to inform residents of the City of San Fernando of the change in the municipal election date from November 2026 to June 2, 2026; and reach out to County Supervisor Horvath’s Office to seek potential funding towards outreach education materials. The motion carried, unanimously.
16) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING A COMPASSIONATE CITY RESOLUTION Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia tabled the item to a future Council meeting and will work with Councilmember Lopez on a community outreach plan.
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MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 2, 2026
17) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING A FARMERS MARKET IN THE CITY OF
SAN FERNANDO
Councilmember Mendoza recused herself due to a potential conflict of interest and left the dais at 9:09 p.m.
The City Council directed staff to refer agenda item to the Area B Ad Hoc committee to discuss the feasibility and structure of a farmers’ market, survey businesses and return to the City Council at a future meeting with Ad hoc committee recommendations for discussion during the FY 26-27 budget review.
Councilmember Mendoza returned to the dais at 9:15 p.m.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
Police Chief Valdez stated that Computer Kiosks were installed in the City Hall, Community Development and Public Works lobby; City monument signs were cleaned and refurbished with fresh paint; announced the recent promotion of Commander Brian Woodward, noted the newly implemented Area Lead Officer Program; announced City Hall will be closed on February 16 due to President’s Day Holiday.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Mendoza noted she attended the community forum and thanked staff for putting that event on.
Councilmember Solorio attended the Education Commission’s principals’ brunch event and the community forum.
Councilmember Lopez spoke about accountability and noted that she has held previous community events regarding immigration rights, participated in Children’s Day events, worked with special-needs children, and suggested that people send letters of support or opposition to federal legislators for matters that cannot be addressed at the local level. She also extended congratulations to Commander Woodward.
Vice Mayor Garcia attended the Fosters Freeze grand opening, the community forum, a meeting of City Managers, talked about the sales tax increase on the ballot, attended the Veterans’ Banner Recognition Program Ad hoc committee meeting and extended congratulations to Commander Woodward.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting February 2, 2026
Mayor Fajardo spoke regarding immigration issues, congratulated Commander Woodward, noted he attended the Education Commission principal’s brunch event, spoke regarding developing a recruiting program for the Police Department; attended the community forum; and spoke about the public comments made tonight.
ADJOURNMENT 9:43 p.m.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:43 p.m. to the next regular meeting of February 17, 2026.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the February 2, 2026,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of March 16, 2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk