Council directs ad hoc, union meet-and-confer on proposed 'Celebration District' merchant governance charter

San Fernando — A proposal for a merchant-led "Celebration District" charter to govern downtown Area B was introduced to the City Council on Jan. 6 and referred to the Mall/Area B ad hoc committee for further work.

John David Rivera presented the draft framework: all Area B businesses would be members, each business would have one equal vote, and a seven- to eleven-member board of stewards would coordinate merchant priorities, prepare reimbursement packets for city-administered funds under ordinance No. 973, and maintain a public transparency drive with budgets and contracts. Rivera emphasized that the city would continue to collect and hold assessment funds and that the charter would not itself hold or disburse money.

Council members expressed support for greater merchant transparency and involvement but said more outreach is needed. Mayor Joel Fajardo asked that the ad hoc continue outreach to merchants and that staff meet with the union to clarify which administrative duties would return to the city versus remain with any merchant body. Council member Mary Solorio moved, and the council voted, to refer the concept to the ad hoc, to continue merchant outreach, and to conduct meet-and-confer with the union; staff were directed to return with a plan of action for council consideration in February.

City staff noted existing city marketing work with My Valley Pass and said the ad hoc will evaluate how area assessments can be used equitably and in compliance with ordinance No. 973. Council members said transparency (shared documents, meeting notices and financial records) should be central to any future governance structure.