CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M
REGULAR MEETING – 6:00 P.M.
MONDAY, MAY 4, 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 5:00 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
TELECONFERENCING REQUEST None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia 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 54957 - CONFER WITH
CHIEF OF POLICE DISCUSS SECURITY OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES AND PLANS FOR
ADDRESSING THREATS TO THE SAME
B) 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 May 4, 2026
It was noted that Councilmember Mendoza arrived in Closed Session at 5:03 p.m.
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Padilla noted that there was no reportable action as a result of Closed Session.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to adjourn the Closed Session meeting. 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 6:02 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 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 Solorio to approve the agenda. The motion carried, unanimously.
PRESENTATIONS
A. PRESENTATION FROM LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES ON 2026 CALFRESH AWARENESS MONTH
B. ANNUAL RECOGNITION
• PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 2026, AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH • PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 2026, AS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting May 4, 2026
• PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 3, 2026 TO MAY 9, 2026, AS PROFESSIONAL
MUNICIPAL CLERKS WEEK
• PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 3, 2026 TO MAY 9, 2026, AS PUBLIC SERVICE
RECOGNITION WEEK
• PROCLAMATION DECLARING MAY 10, 2026 TO MAY 16, 2026, AS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK AND DECLARING MAY 15, 2026, AS NATIONAL PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Julie Cuellar expressed her appreciation for Police Chief Valdez and City Manager Kith for their leadership and level of engagement.
Yolanda Haro thanked the City Council for placing Agenda Item No. 14 on the agenda and spoke about a previous comment made by Councilmember Solorio regarding a previous San Fernando Councilmember.
Paulina Torres from Board Supervisor Horvath’s office announced that she will be taking on another position and thanked the City Council and staff for their collaboration. She also noted that Supervisor Horvath’s Office discretionary funds open on June 1 and close on June 30.
Marcela Rodriguez spoke regarding concerns at the swap meet about difficulties entering when paying with a large bill and suggested that the swap meet provides sufficient monetary change for patrons at the entrance.
Brandon C. was called but did not speak.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Solorio to approve the Consent Calendar:
1) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES:
a. March 16, 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) RECEIVE AND FILE THE CITY MANAGER’S PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 ANNUAL BUDGET
5) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF SECURITY GATES AND PERIMETER UPGRADE ENHANCEMENTS AT THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT FACILITY
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting May 4, 2026
6) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUST FOR
PUBLIC LAND FOR THE PACOIMA WASH BIKE PATH BIOSWALE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT 7) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR SAN
FERNANDO FARMERS MARKET
8) CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO CALIFORNIA
ARTS COUNCIL FOR FUNDING SUPPORT OF THE MARIACHI MASTER APPRENTICE PROGRAM 9) CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR
THE ARTS GRANT FOR THE MARIACHI MASTER APPRENTICE PROGRAM AND ADOPT A
RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING THE FUNDS
10) RECEIVE AND FILE A PRESENTATION ON THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN FROM R3
CONSULTING GROUP TO CONDUCT OUTREACH REGARDING SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT The motion carried, unanimously.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
11) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE AN UPDATE TO THE SPECIAL EVENT
GUIDELINES AND PERMIT APPLICATION
City Manager Kith and Director of Recreation and Community Services Salcedo presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Councilmember Lopez, seconded by Mayor Fajardo to approve updated Special Event Guidelines that distinguish between Minor and Regular Special Event permit processes, requirements, and review procedures; approve updates to the Special Event Permit Application to include both Minor and Regular Special Event Permits; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to implement administrative procedures, application materials, and fee structures consistent with the updated guidelines.
The City Council directed staff to also clarify large versus small events, create a map of the available rental spaces of each park’s layout (site plan) and include a clear explanation of what types of events require a Facility Rental Application versus a Special Event Application and the exemption guidelines regarding park use by a large family hosting an event such as a birthday party.
12) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE CITY COUNCIL
PROCEDURAL MANUAL
Mayor Fajardo and City Attorney Richard Padilla presented the report and responded to Councilmember questions. This item was continued to the special meeting being held on May 12, 2026.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting May 4, 2026
13) DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CITY’S FORMER AGREEMENT RELATED TO DISTRICT B IN THE DOWNTOWN MALL AREA (TABLED FROM THE APRIL 20, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING) Mayor Joel Fajardo presented the staff report. This item was continued to a special meeting being held on May 12, 2026.
14) DISCUSSION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING PROTOCOLS
FOR THE THOROUGH AND RIGOROUS VETTING OF ANY PROPOSED SALE, LEASING AND/OR DEVELOPMENT OF CITY-OWNED LAND WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES (continue to May 12 special meeting)
Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to continue discussion to the special meeting to be held on May 12th; and return with additional information and a proposed ordinance for first reading on June 8 and second reading on June 15, and include in the report, information on how the City has sold, disposed of or transferred property in the past; report on other Development Agreements with the City; and if the City can post city-owned properties and those related agreements on the City's website and create a policy to post that information. 15) DISCUSSION REGARDING STREET LIGHT INSPECTION AT WORKMAN STREET AND SAN
FERNANDO ROAD
Councilmember Patty Lopez presented the staff report.
The City Council directed staff to return to a future meeting and evaluate the intersection at Workman Street and San Fernando Road through Public Works & the Police Department and include information on other locations that have had frequent accidents.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
Director of Community Development provided updates on Walk the Block – 5/6, 5:30-6:30PM at Pioneer Park; Access to Capital Workshop in Collaboration with ICON CDC – 5/12, 9-10AM in Council Chambers; Solid Waste Services RFP Community Workshops in Council Chambers:
Residential Services – 5/12, 6-7PM and Commercial Services – 5/13, 10-11AM; Senior Fest – 5/15, 8:30AM – 1PM at Las Palmas Park; Mother’s Day Dance and Dinner – 5/16, 4:30PM – 11:45PM at Las Palmas Park; Republic Services Quarterly Bulky Item Drop Off Day – 5/16, 8AM-12PM at Parking Lot 6N; City Beautification Project – Launch of City Tree Planting Initiative.
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Mendoza announced that she was re-appointed to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for the San Fernando Valley Council of Governments.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special and Regular Meeting May 4, 2026
Councilmember Lopez thanked Vice Mayor Garcia for her support with the Children’s Day event and noted she attended six various Councilmember related events and extended a Happy Cinco de Mayo to everyone.
Councilmember Solorio stated she had no updates to report.
Vice Mayor Garcia commented that are reports of an uptick of crimes at ATM machines and request that the Police Department post tips on how to avoid those situations via the City’s social media. She noted that she attended the San Fernando Valley Historical Society and Mission Hills event, the California Contract Cities meeting, the Red Cross Sound the Alarm event, and the Children's Day event, and thanked Councilmember Lopez for organizing the event. She also attended the UCLA Head Start ribbon-cutting ceremony and the ZOE International Rescue Walk fundraiser.
City Manager Kith announced that there is a battery collection station in front of the Public Works counter in City Hall for recycling batteries.
Mayor Fajardo reminded Councilmembers to review the Procedural Manual and noted several updates such as, Councilmember order of speaking at events and requested during staff updates that Council be provided with updates on the Planning and Preservation Commission and other city Commissions before providing staff updates.
ADJOURNMENT 7:39 pm
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, second by Councilmember Lopez, to adjourn the regular meeting to the special meeting of May 12, 2026.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the May 4, 2026, Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of June 29, 2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk