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Council approves July 4 Independence celebration with added budget for expanded drone show
Summary
The council approved holding the city’s Independence Day celebration on July 4 with additional funding to expand the drone show and include carnival amenities. Council members voted to increase the event appropriation to cover enhanced drone programming.
The San Fernando City Council voted to host the city’s Independence Day celebration on July 4 and approved a budget increase to expand the drone show and retain carnival amenities.
Staff presented two scheduling options: a July 4 program with a larger drone show and fewer ancillary carnival features or a July 5 event that would allow more rides and a larger drone count for slightly lower cost. Council discussed safety, scheduling and resident access; several members emphasized the value of a community gathering on the holiday itself.
After discussion the council approved a motion to hold the event on July 4 with a $20,000 enhancement to the current appropriation. The enhancement will allow an upgraded drone program and continued elements such as a zip line and slides. The roll call vote was: Patty Lopez — yes; Victoria Garcia — yes; Joe Fajardo — yes; Vice Mayor Mary Salorio — yes; Mayor Mary Mendoza — no. Motion passed 4–1.
Staff will return with the amended budget detail and vendor confirmations; the council asked staff to prioritize public safety, public notice, and additional inflatable attractions to reduce queue times for children.
The council also discussed the tradeoffs between fireworks and drone shows, and reviewed vendor quotes and clearance constraints identified by the Fire Department; staff said fireworks would require additional permits and a larger safety perimeter.
