CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING – 5:00 P.M
TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2026
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
117 MACNEIL STREET
SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA 91340
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – SPECIAL MEETING 5:00 P.M.
Mayor Joel Fajardo called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Council: Mayor Joel Fajardo, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia and Councilmembers, Mary Solorio, and Patty Lopez
Staff: City Manager Kanika Kith, City Attorney Richard Padilla, Police Chief Fabian Valdez, Director of Administrative Services Erica D. Melton, Director of Recreation and Community Services Julio Salcedo, Director of Community Development Ron Garcia, Director of Public Works Bonnie Tam, and City Clerk Julia Fritz
Absent: Councilmember Mary Mendoza
TELECONFERENCING REQUESTS/DISCLOSURE None
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by City Clerk Julia Fritz
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to approve the agenda. The motion carried, with Vice Mayor Garcia absent.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1) DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET STUDY SESSION NO. 2
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting May 26, 2026
A presentation was provided by the City Clerk Department on FY 2026-2027 proposed budget.
The City Council requested that staff return with additional information regarding:
a. Request for staff to provide a list of Cesar Chavez Memorial site contributors; b. Suggestion to augment banners that encourage the community to vote during the election season;
c. Request to provide a comment drop box for City Council Meeting preferred translators; d. Recommendation for City Clerk’s Office to attend the elections ballot processing center; and e. Request for information distinguishing the City Council Handbook from Procedural Manual and timeline.
A presentation was provided by the Community Development Department on FY 2026-2027 proposed budget.
The City Council requested that staff return with additional information regarding:
a. Staff to provide clarification regarding the $65,000 enhancement for legal services, as listed at no net cost.
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at 5:33 p.m. and reconvened at 5:42 p.m. with all Councilmembers present, including Councilmember Mendoza who arrived at 5:42 p.m.
A presentation was provided by the Recreation and Community Services Department on FY 2026- 2027 proposed budget.
The City Council requested that staff return with additional information regarding:
a. Can non-profit organizations assist with Senior Fest and San Fernando Valley Mile Run events;
b. Provide a list of special events to include additional information regarding co-sponsorships, complete staff costs including regular time vs overtime costs, and attendance c. Consider partnering with the City of Los Angeles for future 4th of July Events; d. Consider replacing/merging El Grito with Menudo Festival using Area B Funds; e. Provide costs if Tree Lighting Event were combined with re-routed Parade and consider use of Area B Funds. Councilmember Lopez will also reach out to ask Emprende organization to provide a presentation to City Council regarding their role in organizing a Christmas Parade; f. Provide information regarding Vendor Selection Process for Events; g. Provide information on the cost of combining Movies at the Park and Concerts at the Park into one event;
h. Provide a list of all programming activities, with complete costs including staff time, supplies, and attendance information, including Afterschool Program; i. Status on locating permanent home for Liberty Bell; and j. Cost Estimates for City Farmer’s Market
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting May 26, 2026
The City Council provided additional comments regarding:
a. Contact the Los Angeles County Elections Division and United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding new changes in mail handling as it relates to ballot processing. b. Consider cost and procedural impacts of San Fernando becoming a Charter City. c. Provide additional information regarding paying off future debt.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
There were no Commission updates to report.
City Clerk Fritz provided updates on the following: Regional Center on Wheels - 5/27, 9:30AM12:30PM at Recreation Park Playground; Job Fair led by Northeast San Fernando Valley WorkSource Center- 5/27, 1:30-4PM at Las Palmas Park Gym; Education Commission Scholarship Ceremony - 5/27, 6-7:30PM at Rudy Ortega, Sr. Park; Foodzilla – 5/30, 5-9PM in Front of City Hall; Election Updates: Las Palmas Park open 5/23-6/1 from 10AM-7PM; 6/2 from 7AM-8PM; San Fernando Recreation Park open 5/30-6/01 from 10AM-7PM; 6/2 from 7AM-8PM; Vote By Mail Ballot Drop Box Locations available now and located at: City Hall Council Chambers - corner of Macneil St and First St and Pioneer Park - 828 Harding Avenue (near the Snack Bar).
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Councilmember Mendoza apologized for arriving late; however, noted she was able to listen to the presentations from both the City Clerk and Community Development Departments and had no comments to provide.
Councilmember Lopez spoke in Spanish and mentioned that Mr. Benitez invited everyone to an event at Saint Ferdinand Church Annual Fiesta on May 29 – May 31, 2026.
Councilmember Solorio requested clarification on ballots that were being mailed today, whether those ballots would be counted.
Vice Mayor Garcia suggested that the staff reach out to County Elections Officials and United States Postal Service to clarify the issue about the post-mark day stamped on a mail in ballot and on whether the ballot would be counted.
Mayor Fajardo talked about the special meeting to discuss the City Council Procedural Manual updates; commented on the city research becoming a Charter City with the assistance of a consultant; and noted that the city must invest in its infrastructure and outstanding pension liabilities.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting May 26, 2026
ADJOURNMENT (6:48 p.m.)
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, second by Vice Mayor Garcia to adjourn the meeting to the special meeting on June 8, 2026.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the May 26, 2026,
special meeting and approved by the San
Fernando City Council at the meeting of June 29,
2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk