CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
117 MACNEIL STREET
SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA 91340
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – REGULAR MEETING 6:00 P.M. (OPEN SESSION) Mayor Joel Fajardo called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Joel Fajardo, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia and Councilmember Mary Mendoza
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: Councilmember Mary Solorio and Patty Lopez
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE None
It was noted that Councilmember Mary Solorio would be arriving in-person to the meeting at approximately 7:30 p.m.
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. The motion carried, unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
A. ANNUAL RECOGNITION
• CESAR CHAVEZ DAY – MARCH 31, 2026
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 16, 2026
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Lupita Gonzalez talked about concerns regarding the use of the outdoor market funds.
Jayson Buckley expressed support on Agenda Item No. 6.
Fernando Diaz spoke regarding Agenda Item No. 9, Item No. 11 and stated his support of the Farmers Market item.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to approve the Consent Calendar:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. February 2, 2026 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 ACCEPT PROJECT COMPLETION AND AUTHORIZE THE RECORDATION
OF A NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE LAS PALMAS PARK HEATING, VENTILATION, AND
AIR CONDITIONING PROJECT
5) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE JOB SPECIFICATIONS FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST AND ACCOUNTING & TREASURER ASSISTANT; ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SALARY PLAN; AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE TABLE OF ORGANIZATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026
6) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CO-SPONSORSHIP AND USE OF THE CITY SEAL FOR THE
AMERICAN RED CROSS HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN, AND REQUEST TO WAIVE FACILITY PERMIT FEES
7) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL PROGRAM GUIDELINES 8) SECOND READING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 1739 APPROVING A MILITARY
USE EQUIPMENT POLICY GOVERNING THE USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT, AS REQUIRED BY ASSEMBLY BILL 481
The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 16, 2026
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Items heard out of order
17) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A WAIVER OF APPLICATION OF THE CITY RECOGNITION REQUESTS POLICY ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NO. 8378 IN LIGHT OF
SPECIAL CASE-SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, AND APPROVE PROCLAMATION HONORING THE
LIFE OF BELINDA BARRAGAN
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia to approve a Waiver of Application of the City Recognition Requests Policy Established Under Resolution No. 8378 in light of special case-specific circumstances and concurrently approve a Proclamation Honoring the Life of Belinda Barragan. The motion carried, with Councilmembers Solorio and Lopez absent.
18) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A WAIVER OF APPLICATION OF THE CITY RECOGNITION REQUESTS POLICY ESTABLISHED UNDER RESOLUTION NO. 8378 IN LIGHT OF
SPECIAL CASE-SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, AND APPROVE PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING NANCY C. AVERY
Councilmember Mendoza presented the staff report.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to approve a Waiver of Application of the City Recognition Requests Policy to present a Proclamation recognizing Nancy C. Avery for her historic achievements and lasting contributions to the San Fernando Valley region, and concurrently approve a Proclamation Recognizing Nancy C. Avery. The motion carried, with Councilmembers Solorio and Lopez absent. 19) PRESENTATION BY DR. MERILLIS MCCLURRY SCOTT ON THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OF
STRENGTH UNITED
The City Council received and filed the presentation by Dr. Merillis McClurry Scott, regarding the programs and services provided by Strength United. 21) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING A CITY RECOGNITION OF WELCOME HOME
VIETNAM VETERANS DAY
Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia presented the staff report.
Motion by Vice Mayor Garcia, seconded by Mayor Fajardo to recognize March 30 of each year as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day and approved co-sponsorship to host event on proposed date of March 30 held in the Council Chambers with Vice Mayor Garcia using her Community Investment Funds to cover the cost of refreshments (coffee/pastries). The motion carried, with Councilmembers Solorio and Lopez absent.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 16, 2026
20) DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES AND TIMELINES FOR ITEMS THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD LIKE COMPLETED BY APPROXIMATELY JUNE 30
Mayor Joel Fajardo presented the staff report and presented a list of items he requested to be completed by staff by June 30:
1. Rent control;
2. Farmer’s Market;
3. Increased notice for CUPs;
4. Letter to LAUSD about paint color at local schools;
5. Monarch butterfly reserve/Cindy Montanez park sign;
6. Ethics: Councilmember and/or immediate family applying for program funds;
7. Ethics: Appointing family members as commissioners; and
8. Procedural manual.
The City Council directed staff to return to a future meeting on items which may require potential ordinances that can be processed before June 30; additional information on items listed that need further research; a draft letter to LAUSD; bring back additional information related to rent control with a focus on properties that have affordable housing covenants due to expire in the near future; and include applicable ordinances amendments as part of the City Council Procedural Manual.
15) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE USE OF CITY LOGO, CO-SPONSORSHIP,
AND SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTION FOR THE CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH FOR JUSTICE (TABLED FROM THE MARCH 2, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING)
This item was agendized by Councilmember Mary Solorio.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to authorize use of the City of San Fernando logo, approve co-sponsorship designation, and direct staff to promote the Cesar Chavez March for Justice on the City’s official social media platforms. The motion carried, with Councilmembers Solorio and Lopez absent.
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at 6:51 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:37 p.m. with Councilmembers Solorio and Lopez absent.
PUBLIC HEARING
9) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CRITERIA FOR
MEMBERSHIP ON VARIOUS CITY COMMISSIONS BY REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT THAT
MEMBERS BE REGISTERED VOTERS OF THE CITY
The City Council continued the item to the next regular meeting of April 6, 2026.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 16, 2026
10) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO OBTAIN CITY COUNCIL DIRECTION ON THE PROGRAMMING AND SCOPE FOR THE 2026 INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Director of Recreation and Community Services Julio Salcedo presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember question.
Motion by Vice Mayor Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to split the Independence Day celebration into two events as follows: the city to host a standalone 250 drone show at a cost of $42,500 held on July 4th at Recreation Park with no street closure, use remaining $9,500 towards a combined event to occur on June 27th in front of City Hall with the Foodzilla event to celebrate the nation’s 250th celebration to include decorative draping banners at City Hall, Police Department, Public Works, Mall area and if funds are available at other city facilities, such as the parks, and return to a future meeting with applicable budget amendments. The motion carried, with Councilmembers Solorio and Lopez absent.
It was noted that Councilmember Solorio arrived at the meeting at 8:26 p.m. 10) INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION OF THE 2025 CITY CRIME STATISTICS AND UPDATES OF
POLICE ACTIVITY, OPERATIONS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Chief of Police Fabian Valdez presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember question. The City Council received and filed a presentation of the 2025 City Crime Statistics and Police Department Updates.
City Manager Kith stated that staff would be bringing back an action plan that incorporates the recently completed Police Departments organizational assessment, a report on citywide employee vacancy, and bring back additional information regarding data sharing through Flock system and invite a Flock representative to speak on the matter. 11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE CITY’S TWO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT
AUTHORITY-FUNDED TROLLEY BUSES
City Manager Kith presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember question.
Motion by Councilmember Mendoza, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia to directstaff to move forward with appraisal of the two trolley buses at an amount of $2,850. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Mendoza, Garcia, Fajardo - 3
NAYES: Solorio - 1
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Lopez – 1
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 16, 2026
13) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS YARD – FACILITY CONDITIONS REVIEW AND NEXT STEPS (TABLED FROM THE MARCH 2, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING)
This item was continued to the next regular meeting.
14) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TORCH RUN (TABLED FROM THE MARCH 2, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING)
This item was agendized by Councilmember Mary Solorio.
The City Council received and filed the report.
16) DISCUSSION, UPDATES, AND AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH A FARMER’S MARKET IN SAN FERNANDO (TABLED FROM THE MARCH 2, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING) This item was agendized by Mayor Joel Fajardo. This item was addressed during the discussion on Agenda Item No. 20.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
Assistant to the City Manager Pettener provided updates regarding the upcoming Strategic Plan meetings, the Business Form dates, Walk the Block event and reported on sidewalk repairs related to the City’s Beautification project.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Solorio thanked staff for all the hard work done over the recent months.
Councilmember Mendoza stated she had no updates to report.
Vice Mayor Garcia mentioned she attended the SCAG Community Economic Development Committee meeting, the League of California Cities meeting, little league baseball opening day events at Pioneer Park and at Las Palmas Park, and attended the Dog Haus restaurant grand opening event.
Mayor Fajardo attended an event with City of Los Angeles Mayor Bass and many other Mayors on the topic of ICE enforcement, thanked staff for the City’s beautification efforts, commented on the City’s LGBTQ+ flag raising event, mentioned inviting a muralist to do the artwork for the Cindy Montañez Natural Park sign, noted he attended both little league opening day events and requested that the meeting close in memory of Belinda Barragan and all the service members who were killed while working in service in the war in Iran.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Regular Meeting March 16, 2026
ADJOURNMENT 9:47 p.m.
Motion by Fajardo, seconded by Mendoza to adjourn the regular meeting in memory of memory of Belinda Barragan and all the service members who were killed while working in service in the war in Iran, to the next special meeting of March 23, 2026.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the March 16, 2026,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of May 4, 2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk