CITY OF SAN FERNANDO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
CLOSED SESSION MEETING – 4:30 P.M to 5:00 P.M.
OPEN SESSION MEETING – 5:00 P.M.
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
117 MACNEIL STREET
SAN FERNANDO, CALIFORNIA 91340
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – CLOSED SESSION MEETING 4:30 P.M.
Mayor Joel Fajardo called the Special Meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Present:
Council: Mayor Joel Fajardo, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia and Councilmembers Mary Mendoza, and Patty Lopez
Staff: City Manager Kanika Kith, City Attorney Richard Padilla
Absent: Councilmember Mary Solorio
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.
It was noted that Councilmember Mary Solorio arrived at 4:49 p.m.
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
The following spoke in support of City Manager Kanika Kith:
Louis A. Lopez
Julie Cuellar
Gustavo Franco
Carol Ramos
Lupita Gonzalez
Paul Ventimiglia
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
Flor Sanchez
Written correspondences were submitted in support of City Manager Kanika Kith, by the following:
Chase Daseler, SEIU Local 721
Evelyn Martinez, Candie & Bella Café
San Fernando Police Advisory Council Executive Board
Louis A. Lopez
Paul Ventimiglia, San Fernando Police Officer’s Association Annie Tran, Heaven Nails
Linda, Linda’s Beauty and Barber
Pilar, Kristine’s Beauty Salon
Julie Cuellar
Margarita Flores
Lorena Soto
Gysselle Soto
Caitlyn Soto
Eugenio P. Robles
Rafael Mendez
Joe Cuellar
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION (4:49 P.M.)
By consensus, Councilmembers recessed to Closed Session.
A) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957 – PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title of Employee: City Manager
B) CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957 – PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Title of Employee: City Attorney
C) CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
Designated City Negotiator: City Manager Kanika Kith
Employees and Employee Bargaining Units:
San Fernando Management Group (SEIU, Local 721);
San Fernando Public Employees’ Association (SEIU, Local 721); San Fernando Police Officers Association;
San Fernando Police Officers Association Police Management Unit; San Fernando Police Civilian Association;
San Fernando Part-Time Employees’ Bargaining Unit (SEIU, Local 721);
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
All Unrepresented Employees
RECONVENED FROM SPECIAL MEETING (CLOSED SESSION) AND REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED
SESSION
City Attorney Padilla stated there was no reportable action as a result of Closed Session Items A) and C).
Mayor Fajardo stated there was no reportable action as a result of Closed Session Item B).
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Lopez to adjourn the Closed Session meeting at 6:06 p.m. The motion carried, unanimously.
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL – OPEN SESSION MEETING 5:00 P.M.
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 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: 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. The motion carried, unanimously.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
PUBLIC STATEMENTS
Paul Ventimiglia congratulated Police Chief Valdez on his retirement and expressed support for City Manager Kith for her strong leadership and trust.
Enrique Cristobal expressed his support for Police Chief Valdez and thanked him for his leadership.
Julio Martinez expressed concerns about the departure of the Police Chief Valdez and asked that there be transparency.
Julian Ruelas spoke about integrity within the City Councilmembers and stated that they must gain the residents’ trust and control of city policies.
Dolores Rodriguez expressed support for Agenda Item No. 16.
Sylvia Ballin spoke in support of Police Chief Valdez for his leadership and support, wished him well on his new endeavor and thanked him for his service to the community.
Sean Rivas expressed thanks to Police Chief Valdez for his leadership and stated he looks forward to serving as a Councilmember on the City Council.
Flor Sanchez expressed support for City Manager Kith and is concerned with the departure of Police Chief Valdez.
Julie Cuellar expressed thanks to Police Chief Valdez for his leadership, positive impact and dedication he showed throughout his tenure and wished him all the best in his retirement.
Caller 9712 expressed disappointment to hear about Police Chief Valdez’s retirement and expressed his appreciation for his leadership, for the relationships he built in the community and stated he was concerned with how the City Manager handled the retirement announcement.
Police Chief Valdez thanked the community, read a statement, thanked the City Council, the residents, and expressed gratitude to the dedicated men and woman of the San Fernando Police Department and stated how honored he felt to have served beside them.
Commander Chiasson expressed thanks to Police Chief Valdez for his leadership, trust and guidance and congratulated him on his next chapter and future endeavors.
Commander Woodward expressed thanks to Police Chief Valdez for his leadership, mentorship and dedication to the community and for his guidance, trust and mentorship in his own professional growth and wished him success in his next chapter. He thanked City Manager Kith for the assessment of the Police Department.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
Councilmember Mendoza thanked Police Chief Valdez for his service and leadership and wished him the best in his future endeavors.
Councilmember Lopez thanked Police Chief Valdez for his work with the schools and in the community and thanked him for his service.
Councilmember Solorio spoke about Police Chief Valdez’s sudden retirement, talked about concerns of being falsely accused of wanting the Chief to get fired and spoke about how saddened she was about his departure. She wished Police Chief Valdez all the best in his future endeavors and thanked him for his service.
Vice Mayor Garcia spoke of public comment concerns and commented positively about Police Chief Valdez, recognized his work to the city and applauded his career with San Fernando. She thanked him for his community relations, expressed congratulations and wished him the best in his future endeavors.
Mayor Fajardo spoke about the challenges of a Police Chief, commented on the City Council meeting of January 30, 2023, where discussions of the Police Department’s operations, transparency and Chief Valdez’s leadership were questioned and mentioned having knowledge of a Councilmember who wanted Police Chief Valdez to be fired. He thanked Chief Valdez for his values, leadership, and service to the community and wished him the best in his future endeavors.
PRESENTATIONS
A. ANNUAL PROCLAMATIONS
• PROCLAMATION DECLARING JUNE 2026, AS FATHERHOOD WELLBEING MONTH • PROCLAMATION DECLARING JUNE 2026, AS PRIDE MONTH
BUDGET STUDY SESSION #3
1) UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON THE CITY’S FACILITY CONDITION ASSESSMENT REPORT Public Works Director Bonnie Tam presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council received and filed an update on the City’s Facility Condition Assessment Report regarding the repairs and maintenance of City facilities. 2) DISCUSSION OF FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET STUDY SESSION NO. 3 City Manager Kanika Kith and Public Works Director Bonnie Tam presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
The City Council received and filed the presentation from Public Works and directed staff to bring back with budget adoption the cost to have the event city-hosted or city sponsored for the Welcome Home Veterans Day event; and determine a city facility to host monthly veteran’s meetings.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Garcia requested to pull Consent Calendar Item No. 6 for discussion.
Councilmember Solorio requested to pull Consent Calendar No. 7 for discussion.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to approve the Consent Calendar, excluding Item No. 6 and 7:
3) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 26-061 APPROVING THE WARRANT REGISTER OF JUNE 1, 2026
4) RECEIVE AND FILE STATUS UPDATES FOR CITY PROJECTS AND CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES 5) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING DESIGNATION OF APPLICANT’S AGENCY FOR NON-STATE AGENCIES TO SUBMIT TO THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, AS REQUIRED FOR REIMBURSEMENTS RELATED TO THE JANUARY 2025 WINDSTORM AND CRITICAL FIRE EVENTS
8) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH CIVICA LAW GROUP FOR ON-CALL CODE ENFORCEMENT LEGAL SERVICES 9) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH INTERWEST SAFEBUILT COMPANY FOR ADDITIONAL ON-CALL BUILDING
AND SAFETY SERVICES
10) CONSIDERATION TO AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TOBACCO GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE CITY’S UNDER-AGE TOBACCO PURCHASE PREVENTION PROGRAM
11) CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT TO CIVILTEC ENGINEERING, INC. FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE RISK AND RESILIENCE ASSESSMENT AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR THE CITY’S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM The motion carried, unanimously.
6) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING PARTICIPATION IN THE
CALIFORNIA STATEWIDE COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OPEN PROPERTY
ASSESSED CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM
Motion by Councilmember Solorio to adopt the resolution approving participation in the California Statewide Communities Development Authority Open Property Assessed Clean Energy Program to include an outreach component.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
Vice Mayor Garcia offered a second motion to table the item to a future City Council meeting to bring back information on how to provide educational information to the community. Councilmember Solorio removed her original motion and seconded Vice Mayor Garcia’s motion as stated. The motion carried, unanimously. 7) CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING FUNDING FOR THE PRODUCTION OF TWO 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP WATCH PARTIES
Motion by Vice Mayor Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 8458 amending the budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 to appropriate funds from the General Fund Reserve and Area B Promotional Fund accounts for the production of two (2) FIFA World Cup watch parties in the City; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to appropriate funds and amend the budget to address these changes. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Lopez, Solorio, Mendoza, Garcia - 4
NAYES: Fajardo - 1
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
It was noted that the City Council recessed the meeting at 7:58 p.m. and reconvened at 8:10 p.m. with Councilmember Lopez absent.
By consensus, the City Council decided that since Councilmember Lopez would be absent for the remainder of the meeting, that Agenda Item Nos. 16, 17 and 18 were continued to the next regular meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING
12) A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 2025 URBAN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND THE 2025 WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN Mayor Fajardo opened the public hearing.
Director of Public Works Bonnie Tam presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Fajardo opened the public comment portion of the hearing. There being no public comment, Mayor Fajardo motioned to close public comments, seconded by Vice Mayor Garcia. The motion carried unanimously, with Councilmember Lopez absent.
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt Resolution No. 8459 adopting all components of the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The motion carried unanimously, with Councilmember Lopez absent.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
13) RECEIVE AND FILE A REPORT ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE AGREEMENTS AFFECTING CITY OWNED LAND; CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT A CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION; AND DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE A
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING PROTOCOLS FOR PROPOSED SALE,
LEASING, AND/OR DEVELOPMENT OF CITY-OWNED LAND
Director of Community Development Ron Garcia and Planning Manager Jose Mendivil presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
Motion by Vice Mayor Garcia, seconded by Councilmember Mendoza to adopt a California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15061 (b) (3) common sense exemption; and introduce for first reading, in title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance No. 1743 titled, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of San Fernando, California, Establishing Protocols for Proposed Sale, Leasing, and/or Development of City-Owned Land”; received and filed the list of agreements report with the understanding that additional information will be updated as applicable and authorize the City Attorney to make non-substantive changes in the ordinance as applicable. The motion carried, by the following vote:
ROLL CALL
AYES: Mendoza, Solorio, Garcia, Fajardo - 4
NAYES: None
ABSENT: Lopez - 1
ABSTAIN: None
Vice Mayor Garcia left the meeting at 8:44 p.m.
14) DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE CESAR CHAVEZ MEMORIAL SITE Director of Recreation and Community Services Julio Salcedo presented the staff report and responded to Councilmember questions.
The City Council directed staff to collaborate with the former Cesar Chavez Memorial Committee and the memorial site artist to partner on community outreach for the redesign of the memorial site.
City Manager Kith stated staff requests that the City Council direct staff to return with a three-party agreement with the Committee, Pueblo y Salud and the mural artist, and provide feedback from the community on what they want to see on that site. 15) RECEIVE AND FILE THE UPDATED CITY COUNCIL PROCEDURAL MANUAL, INCLUDING
RELATED PROCEDURES AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
The item was continued to the next City Council meeting of June 15, 2026.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
16) DISCUSSION REGARDING SAN FERNANDO CHRISTMAS PARADE 2026 This item was continued to the June 15, 2026 City Council meeting. 17) DISCUSSION REGARDING OFFICE 133 COUNCILMEMBER WORKSPACE IMPROVEMENTS This item was continued to the June 15, 2026 City Council meeting. 18) DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY EVENT PERMITTING AND FACILITY RESERVATION PROCESS This item was continued to the June 15, 2026 City Council meeting.
STAFF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING COMMISSION UPDATES
City Manager Kith announced the new Economic Development Manager Linden Johnson.
Commissioner updates:
• Planning and Preservation Commission:
• No Updates
• Public Safety and Transportation Commission:
• On June 4, 2026, updates were provided on FY 26-27 budget and SFPD notable events for the month of May. Commission asked for more information on enforcing e-bikes at their next meeting.
• Parks, Wellness & Recreation Commission:
• Next meeting on June 11, 2026
• Education Commission:
• On May 27, 2026, the Commission hosted the 11th Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony at Rudy Ortega Sr. Park. Six students from local schools received scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500.
Director of Recreation and Community Services Salcedo provided updates on the following: Viva Fútbol Watch Parties – 6/12, 5-9PM in front of City Hall; 6/24, 5-9PM in the San Fernando Mall; Community Baby Shower & Family Resource Fair – 6/13, 9AM-12PM at Las Palmas Park; CalRecycle Oil Filter Exchange Event – 6/13, 10AM-2PM at AutoZone Auto Parts; Summer Trolley Service – The City’s trolley has begun service to the San Fernando Regional Pool facility which will continue to be available at no cost until Labor Day; and Neighborhood Clean-up – 6/13, 8AM12PM; residents can drop off bulky items at 4 designated locations:
• Las Palmas Park - 505 S. Huntington St.
• Pioneer Park - 828 Harding Ave.
• Recreation Park - 208 Park Ave.
• Civic Center Parking Lot 6N - corner of First St. and Maclay Ave.
SAN FERNANDO CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – Special Meeting June 8, 2026
GENERAL CITY COUNCIL/BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS AND LIAISON UPDATES Mayor Fajardo requested to close the meeting in memory of Joshua Trujillo.
Councilmember Solorio extended congratulations to Linden Johnson for joining the San Fernando Team.
Councilmember Mendoza welcomed Linden Johnson to the city and stated she will miss Chief Valdez and wished him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Mayor Fajardo expressed congratulations and welcomed Linden Johnson to San Fernando. He talked about his meeting with Republic Services, commented on the current political climate and thanked Chief Valdez for his work here in the City and wished him all the best in his future endeavors.
ADJOURNMENT 9:02 pm
Motion by Mayor Fajardo, second by Councilmember Solorio, to adjourn the meeting in memory of Joshua Trujillo to the regular meeting of June 15, 2026.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the June 8, 2026,
Regular meeting and approved by the San Fernando
City Council at the meeting of July 20, 2026.
_________________________________________
Julia Fritz, CMC
City Clerk