San Fernando council certifies Nov. 5 election; Victoria Garcia and Patty Lopez sworn in

The San Fernando City Council on Dec. 9 adopted a resolution reciting the facts of the Nov. 5, 2024 general municipal election and formally declared the results, then the city clerk presented certificates of election and administered the oath of office to Victoria Garcia and Patty Lopez.

City staff told the council the city had received a certificate of canvass from the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder on Dec. 4, 2024 identifying Victoria Garcia and Patty Lopez as the winning candidates. Staff recommended adopting resolution No. 8355 to declare the election results, which Councilmember Joe Fajardo moved to adopt; the motion passed on a roll-call vote with all present members voting yes.

Julia Fritz, the city clerk, presented each newly elected council member with a Certificate of Election dated Dec. 9, 2024 and administered the oath required by state election law. After repeating the oath, Garcia and Lopez received congratulations from colleagues. During her remarks, Garcia thanked volunteers and supporters and said she looked forward to “some really big ideas” during the next four years. Lopez, newly sworn in, spoke briefly and thanked the council and community.

The resolution and certificates cite California Elections Code requirements and the official election returns filed with the city clerk. Staff made the certificate of canvass and the adopted resolution part of the public record at the meeting.

Following the oaths, council moved on to its annual reorganization. The declared election results and the ceremonial swearing-in are the latest procedural steps required by state law before newly elected members assume council duties.