[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6231754,"mediaKeyId","3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099","parentId",3428841,"title","Council directs renaming of Pride flag ceremony in memory of Matthew Shepard and moves annual event to first Saturday in June","audioSeconds",792,"startMs",9207000,"endMs",9999000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099&start=9207&end=9999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099/thumbnail_9207000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231754/California/Council-directs-renaming-of-Pride-flag-ceremony-in-memory-of-Matthew-Shepard-and-moves-annual-event-to-first-Saturday-in-June","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231754-6326d6d7ce6525c79fdf9833153b50ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172762&Signature=erhnSKq3E9kdktV4Al7Mb~5j6ICI0UoqJxeQJQ4ayycAxVHAciACeEhQakZ~g~u55HunyJE3naTuYUIGFJ3wYJ-68vLyZsOr8E0YCKFG1aMMtL6Su-OIKv1sB1RiXeLKG6QFMr7G9WwLyOUl4F5P0jiwSutMzyMjkNMjfwM2hM6t0O4XpV5vksyjQhJ~bgmvcxrf8HGMMRMjTLNGm6Cyu8pDoGMW9g9oxmpQ~jTAhrCKSWQc0DziUKSYUJ3K8lbzEa6ktx3a9dJ7skKRxVkRxGREHNAtjXHQae0w7lxZt~e5X~bz6nmkSmLUdCnwaJA0rg8Gl3Nm5w7n-JTEaxkoQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of San Fernando CA","date","2025-05-21T20:30:08.477Z","article","The City Council directed staff to rename the annual flag-raising observance in memory of Matthew Shepard and to hold the public ceremony on the first Saturday in June at 10:30 a.m.

Councilmember Joel Fajardo said naming the event in Shepard’s memory would underscore the city’s commitment to safety and equality; he summarized Shepard’s killing and said the story remains a poignant reminder of the work the community must do. Fajardo asked whether the ceremony should be observed on June 1 or moved to a Saturday to increase attendance; he recommended the first Saturday of June.

Several council members expressed support for renaming the ceremony and moving it to a weekend time for easier public attendance. The mayor and council agreed to the first Saturday in June at 10:30 a.m. and asked staff to consult the Matthew Shepard Foundation about name usage and any preferences. Council also clarified that the flag itself may be raised on June 1 while the public ceremony would take place the first Saturday to broaden access.

Council did not take a roll-call vote; the mayor called for consensus and said, “seeing no dissent, we will move forward with that direction.” Staff will make the scheduling change and coordinate with community groups on the new name and ceremony time.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular City Council Meeting (5/19/2025)","oneSentenceSummary","The San Fernando City Council directed staff to rename the city’s annual Pride flag-raising ceremony in memory of Matthew Shepard and to hold the public event on the first Saturday in June at 10:30 a.m.","taxTitle","San Fernando\tCity, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",70855,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6231759,"City attorney: law does not require minutes; council approves old minutes after clerk transcriptions",407,3288000,3695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099&start=3288&end=3695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099/thumbnail_3288000.jpg","/articles/6231759/California/City-attorney-law-does-not-require-minutes-council-approves-old-minutes-after-clerk-transcriptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231759-1fcc60d8d4a4a7d4224e17cbe84a9934/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172762&Signature=SdECZ32kD99LaPypYnnkXIJ3QfyV2jE9MmOfOdsXt0F4CRZ3zOsaDO7cQdxx3MB0~9oVCDY9QRSvH4xRBsyPGxadYGMSEfbqVjOQAL-jeL9enWLW2~aIwQPKd1VvVHuJ68cXF5I0xHkhdZbqH4pXwtMem1kYlOubuOnjo1qreI0CdpKezYy-KjQE-jLkmsxtlZw~oD~~Ssec8aM2~59Fmk0BbC05g2mXzOrrEr87m6SkyJkWY-j2NrCI-TGNwoR~kIIHMs9msaCxBm7ON7BVzXpIBa4dtPhInRY4cULw~LWJ6VCGTGOpBJLE5ZiqFKJMqjNghIOpTfuLPlVQR6MYJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council discussion about a backlog of minutes and whether members who were not present at older meetings should vote to approve them ended with the council approving the transcribed older minutes and the city attorney explaining the legal position.

Councilmember Patty Lopez asked staff to clarify whether councilmembers should feel comfortable approving minutes for meetings they did not attend, noting concerns because some records dated back many years and because recalls took place during that period. City Attorney Padilla said there is “no legal requirement for bodies like the city to actually keep minutes,” and explained that cities routinely maintain audio recordings and produce ‘‘action minutes’’ that summarize votes and motions rather than verbatim transcripts. He said Robert’s Rules permits approval of minutes by members who were not present, because approving minutes affirms the clerk’s transcription of the record rather than endorsing every action personally.

Padilla told council the backlog appears to be record-keeping from a prior clerk’s administration and that staff were attempting to catch up. He recommended that council members who felt uncomfortable abstain, but said repeated failures to approve minutes could worsen the backlog. The council then approved the item with a roll-call vote: Lopez—No; Garcia—Yes; Fajardo—Yes; Salodio—Yes; Mendoza—Yes.

The minutes item was approved as “housekeeping,” and staff said the audio recordings remain posted and available for comparison to the transcribed minutes.","After questioning whether it is appropriate to approve minutes for meetings members did not attend, the City Attorney explained that state law does not require cities to keep written minutes but that audio recordings serve as the verbatim record; council approved the backlog minutes with one dissenting vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6231768,"Public bidders raise conflict-of-interest and transparency concerns as council approves police towing contract",943,1925000,2868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099&start=1925&end=2868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099/thumbnail_1925000.jpg","/articles/6231768/California/Public-bidders-raise-conflict-of-interest-and-transparency-concerns-as-council-approves-police-towing-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231768-ada73b50de3e54eece2414b8ed4c64cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172762&Signature=gTX8IagDNYs0k~1~SkOSipYUsWce7G9tzOaQegRrHtWkLtDQEK3Vv6DXRw5AZgY0WdXFLBgcYXWnbbmmNXFLuCRbwFtDnm3ENVDrih66g~q1ZGZsINksFUmvHJ9vI6e-BXkmXsWi02YbwcVNgwdHvZxFKQCmHaYJup8v~UeEKSQwAIB8bY5KClbk5TCvhpbFAg1IYJA-J6EmEysHX6xsSoKwdU8zUNzFmUATHsUmBB0MX0FqEpPy487TTKM95Kv2~xBie~W8HOfP65A1urtXJmaDT9vJD7Mnl-T-4SmOgzP4H-xZ1JBIEvFjiLc-ClJt81ZuHim8uvpHSaSw8JWdrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Fernando City Council approved the item to award the police towing and storage contract after public comment and staff briefing about the procurement and site inspections.

During public comment, Adriana Gomez, representing Mid Valley Towing, urged the council to reconsider awarding the contract to Black and White Towing. Gomez said the city faced “a serious conflict of interest” because “for over a decade, the same company owned by a former San Fernando Police Chief has maintained a monopoly on this police contract.” She also told the council that Black and White had been sued by the federal government for towing practices directed at active-duty military service members.

Police staff and detectives told the council they had reviewed the written qualifications and performed unannounced site inspections of both firms. Sergeant Peter Aguirre said the federal lawsuit the staff reviewed involved one lien sale of a vehicle belonging to an active-duty service member, that the issue is resolved, and Black and White agreed to training to prevent similar occurrences. Sergeant Aguirre also described that during the Mid Valley site visit an on-site supervisor declined access to a warehouse and adjacent property referenced in Mid Valley’s statement of qualifications.

Commander Jason Chase (last name recorded in transcript as Commander Chase on) said the city promoted the solicitation within a 10-mile radius and extended outreach to attract bidders; two statements of qualifications were received: Mid Valley Towing and Black and White Towing. Chase acknowledged a communication lapse notifying Mid Valley that council would consider the item at the meeting and said he took responsibility for that oversight.

After staff briefings and questions from multiple council members, the council moved to approve the consent calendar item that included the towing contract. Roll-call approval was recorded as Councilmember Patty Lopez—Yes; Councilmember Victoria Garcia—Yes; Councilmember Joel Fajardo—Yes; Vice Mayor Mary Salodio—Yes; Mayor Mary Mendoza—Yes.

City staff told the council they considered allegations, inspected facilities where possible, and reviewed litigation records and that the recommended award reflected their procurement review. Members of the public who raised concerns were told by staff how the review was conducted and that audio and documentation of the procurement would remain available.","The City Council approved the police towing and storage contract after public concerns about past vendor relationships and litigation were aired; city staff said the awarded company resolved a prior federal lawsuit and that only two firms submitted statements of qualifications.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6231771,"San Fernando council backs plan to let neighborhoods petition for residential parking permits",354,5084000,5438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099&start=5084&end=5438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099/thumbnail_5084000.jpg","/articles/6231771/California/San-Fernando-council-backs-plan-to-let-neighborhoods-petition-for-residential-parking-permits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231771-96b3af51768ad25b21f6343a31270516/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172762&Signature=evKXeKh5OurnTrNqLKOcILNOZHPwoXIoQE7mwSIod0x5y6JhLcPJEBwlNFt98pcrUFfKZH2mZvB01HWsoW~CDJYyUfvh9tFaf5FiEXlAmKwpBomzwdKTn3hdlef0gjXnbLWXsv3627jXtM2sAOCxd6bWoFkAYDrkErN0Nxp6SFIr0Xv11mVVRdkSdbTahXTgrBfITi5jYtG7gvMKpII1OvIANALYmzGDbS-WZzrUMxDJugDqjbeZ3hi6xqwuFalJdo6HWFA6RkBOUPrNw1yr61O1PZbjxZ856qdgnRDB9KQt6LbOzEYgTGUfmC-kaooFkmlS-2nnmSrUlCJZVBNrGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Fernando City Council on Tuesday gave staff direction to prepare an ordinance to rework the city's residential parking permit program and create a clear petition process for neighborhoods.

The move follows a consultant-led study and public meetings that identified high occupancy on neighborhood streets and steady concerns about overnight spillover parking from nearby commercial areas and adjacent jurisdictions. Julie Dixon of Dixon Resources Unlimited presented the data and recommended changes to modernization, enforcement, and permit qualification rules.

Under the direction given by council, neighborhoods would petition to form new RPP zones using a threshold of at least 51% support from residents on four contiguous blocks. The council asked staff to requalify the two existing RPP zones under the new rules before opening the program citywide. The ordinance will also include provisions for low-income reduced-fee permits, limits on oversized and commercial vehicle permits, and an initial cap on guest passes with the opportunity to revisit those numbers after program data is collected.

Dixon said the city’s data collection showed weekend and evening parking peaks and that “when you hit 85% occupancy on street consistently, it basically means you're near or at capacity.” She also told the council that 60% of survey respondents across the city supported an RPP program.

Council members and staff discussed enforcement tools, including license-plate–based permit recognition and expanded use of parking meter and pay-station technology. The consultant and staff advised that enforcement consistency would be essential for results.

Councilmember Victoria Garcia pressed for clarity on fees and accessibility, saying fees must be clearly disclosed and asking for safeguards so low-income residents would not be excluded. Council consensus asked staff to return with draft municipal-code language and an implementation plan; staff said the first reading of the implementing ordinance is tentatively scheduled for the June 2 meeting.

The council did not take a formal binding vote on an ordinance at the meeting; instead it provided direction to draft municipal-code changes and return them for formal consideration.","After a months-long study, the City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance that would let contiguous neighborhoods petition to form residential parking permit (RPP) zones, with a proposed petition threshold of 51% and at least four contiguous blocks required to qualify.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6231763,"Council agrees to cosponsor June downtown outdoor market but not to waive city hard costs",332,9895000,10227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099&start=9895&end=10227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3428841-fb74213d438561943c00147fbe680099/thumbnail_9895000.jpg","/articles/6231763/California/Council-agrees-to-cosponsor-June-downtown-outdoor-market-but-not-to-waive-city-hard-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231763-ea5ea51aece4790752d9847c8f0064c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172762&Signature=AOV3TDgMSg22aT3AiqXKtV~st6~k6QIKAQC6SrulDvKJHFcixUxFOdoKbDtxSmZ5FQYcIxH0J-M1qgUpW4QJf-1Od59-9TQ~LkRHNFSEKS2HmsEbhxNZYEfxDPS~wkoVs7u5Xv8UsDOVjUcSts0IDboqLOMDS-8E2eK0eDEbBYMVahvtCVDnlblbfSclOET-zkIDZ62lJfDylldb5hc-x1vI29V~qKIYQ3Hh6mB12CnzEy9F9wPlc4S8OggI5eC0JOyXLGlDFt6Jyoaxpyxzidk9nKuDmuQ5ftYsIB4YDNGNFtSoZy7FBs0XadkDd0EBni2lyelLbYwEXhTfk8cGRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to co-sponsor the San Fernando outdoor market for June while requiring the mall association to cover the city’s labor and hard costs for street closure and public-works services.

Deputy City Manager Kanika Keith summarized outreach staff conducted after earlier council direction. She said staff met with 18 downtown business owners who expressed concerns that past markets reduced customer access, blocked parking and placed food trucks on San Fernando Road in locations that generated noise and odors. The business owners proposed a compromise—quarterly street-closure events patterned on the city’s Celebration Expo that would prioritize downtown businesses and offer a small number of free booths to mall merchants.

Mall representatives said they want the market to return and offered changes: later closures to preserve daytime business access, moving food trucks off San Fernando Road to McLean Street, and providing about 10 free booths to downtown merchants to encourage participation.

Councilmember Joel Fajardo said the market enhances the city’s Christmas tree-lighting event and supported one more June event to test the revised format. Some council members urged that city-held costs be drawn from downtown event funds; staff said labor and inspection costs are real and recommended not waiving hard costs that come from the general fund.

Councilmember Patty Lopez, who had sought more outreach to merchants, supported continuing the conversation. Vice Mayor Mary Salodio and Councilmember Victoria Garcia asked that staff and the mall association convene the downtown merchants who oppose the current format so both sides can negotiate details.

The motion that passed directed staff to cosponsor the June market but not waive the city’s hard costs (public-works labor, inspections and building-permit fees). Roll-call on the motion was recorded as Lopez—Yes; Garcia—Yes; Fajardo—Yes; Salodio—Yes; Mendoza—Yes.

Staff said they will work with the mall association and the ad hoc MOU committee to refine the format and to consider using downtown special‑district funds for eligible event costs, and will return to council with recommendations for a longer-term approach.","The council approved a co-sponsorship for the mall-run outdoor market in June, requiring the mall association to cover the city's labor and public-works hard costs; staff will convene the mall association and downtown business owners to try to resolve ongoing disputes and to consider a longer-term quarterly format.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs renaming of Pride flag ceremony in memory of Matthew Shepard and moves annual event to first Saturday in June

City attorney: law does not require minutes; council approves old minutes after clerk transcriptions

Public bidders raise conflict-of-interest and transparency concerns as council approves police towing contract

San Fernando council backs plan to let neighborhoods petition for residential parking permits

Council agrees to cosponsor June downtown outdoor market but not to waive city hard costs