In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019. All emergency services will remain in effect.

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At their Adjourned Regular Meeting on December 12, 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 7898 Declaring the Results of the General Municipal Election and Ordinance No. 1678 Extending Indefinitely the Existing One-half Percent Transaction and Use Tax.

For this election, the City had a 50.93% voter turnout! The number of registered voters was 11,015 and the total ballots cast were 5,598.

	Sylvia Ballin	2,246
	Antonio G. Lopez	2,199
	Hector A. Pacheco	2,120
	Yvonne Mejia Pena	1,931
	Jaime Soto	1,407
	David Bernal	1,244

Measure A, San Fernando Preservation and Beautification Measure, was passed and approved by a majority of the ballots cast; 3,551 voted in favor and 1,576 in opposition.

The San Fernando Education Commission is hosting a Principals' Brunch on Friday, February 1, 2019 (9:30 am to 11:00 am) at San Fernando Recreation Park (Multipurpose Room).  Twenty-two principals from our local schools have been invited to attend as well as the Mayor, City Councilmembers, and Department Heads (or their representative). The goal is to provide a session of networking, present services available from the City, and discuss how to support San Fernando families as students transition from school to school. The Commission is hoping that this effort will enhance and strengthen San Fernando community schools and provide their leaders with valuable information.

The City of San Fernando and the San Fernando Education Commission, in partnership with the Independent Cities Finance Authority, Republic Services Inc., and private donors, has announced various scholarship opportunities. The submission deadline is February 22, 2019.  CLICK HERE to learn more and to apply online.

On December 4, 2018, the Planning and Preservation Commission opened and voted to continue a Public Hearing for the proposed project at 1661 San Fernando Road. The proposed project includes a request for a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for the operation of a banquet hall within a 6,270 square feet commercial building which would provide 4,096 square feet of banquet hall area within a commercial building in the Mixed-Use Corridor District of the San Fernando Corridors Specific Plan Zone. Staff recommended to the Commission to continue the Public Hearing due to the discovery of an error in the original site plan approval for the construction of the commercial building in 2015. Staff and the applicant agreed to confer to resolve the error and return to continue the Public Hearing before the Commission on January 8, 2019.

On November 19, 2018, the City Council approved the formation of a Measure "A" Community Advisory Committee to review the Annual Measure "A" Report and provide general recommended budget priorities for the use of Measure "A" funds during the annual budget process. 

The committee will be made up of two residents, up to two business owners, up to two labor representatives, and one at large member.  The Committee is expected to meet at least twice per year. Anyone interested in serving the community on the Measure "A" Community Advisory Committee is encouraged to apply.  Applications can be found on the City website ( http://ci.san-fernando.ca.us/commissions-boards/).

During December 2018, the Finance Department the City's independent third party audit firm, Van Lant & Fankhanel, LLC, finalized their audit of the City's financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. The audited financial statements are available as part of the City's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) on the City's website.  

As a reminder, all of the City's financial reports, including annual budgets, audited financial statements, quarterly sales tax reports, and the Measure A Annual Report can be found under the Finance Department page on the City's website ( http://ci.san-fernando.ca.us/finance/financial-documents/).

Have you thought about a career where you can be involved in serving the community and helping others? Applications are currently being accepted for Police Officer, Reserve Police Officer, Junior Cadet (part-time), Day Camp Counselor (part-time),  Recreation Leader I and II (part-time), Criminology Intern, Finance Intern, and Planning Intern.  Filing for all the positions vary, we strongly encourage you to apply.

The City is continuing labor negotiations with the San Fernando Police Civilians' Association and San Fernando Management Group for successor Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to update MOUs for both groups, which expired on June 30, 2018.

On December 19, 2018, the Police Department combined with community leaders and other City Departments to bring holiday joy to families and seniors throughout the city.

Thanks to the generous donations several organizations and individuals, 118 households that included families and seniors residents in need, received a ham, food baskets and toys. It was extremely gratifying to see their excitement and joy as they received the special deliveries.  Thank you to everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to help give back to the community, especially Elena Gonzalez, Police Office Specialist, and Connie Negrete, Police Records Specialist, for organizing this event and their hard work and dedication to the San Fernando community.  And of course, thanks to Santa for coming from the North Pole to help deliver these gifts! Click the photo below to view a short video from delivery day.

SFPD Holiday Basket Delivery (2018)

Since it's inception, over 42,080 toys and 189,000 lbs. of food have been distributed by Police Officers and City personnel to families in need within the City of San Fernando. 

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting, held on December 11, 2018, was a great success. Approximately 500 participants rang in the holiday season with free entertainment, face painting, delicious treats and photos with Santa! All ages enjoyed the festivities and the free entertainment including performances by the Mariachi Master Apprentice Program and Ballet Folklorico Ollin.

Young dancers line up in anticipation of sharing their skills to a very happy audience at the Tree Lighting. The Mexican Folklorico Dance classes at Las Palmas Park were well represented with 32 performers.

A captured moment with Santa shows some very proud and accomplished young musicians from our Mariachi Master Apprentice Program. There were over 40 young people who performed.

The historic Lopez Adobe will be closed or the holidays (January 2019). We hope to see you in February 2019! Contact Recreation Park at 818.898.1290 for more information.

Currently, the Winter Youth Basketball Program has 18 teams, covering four age divisions (7 to 8; 9 to 10; 11 to 13; and 14 to 16). Practice kicked off on December 17, 2018 and season opening games are scheduled for January 5, 2019, at both Las Palmas and Recreation parks.

Registration is ongoing for the Winter 2019 League. Click here for more information.

• Kidz Love Soccer will provide instructional clinics for participants between the ages of 2 and 10 years old. Clinics are divided by age groups: Mommy/Daddy and Me for ages 2 - 3 1/2; and Tot/Pre Soccer for ages 3 1/2 - 5, 5 - 6, and 7 - 10. 

• Futsal Mondays will continue into the New Year at Las Palmas Park. The free, drop-in pick-up games have drawn a good crowd of kids ages 11 to 14. Staff will work on hosting a few tournaments, as well as designating a time for adults. The Program is free, but a parent or guardian must sign a waiver. 

The Fall season of Coed Softball and Men's Wooden Bat Softball has been postponed due to light tower maintenance at Recreation Park. The tower is scheduled to be repaired in early January 2019 and staff anticipates restarting the league during the week of January 14, 2019, weather permitting. Registrations for the Spring season will begin in February 2019.

On December 8, 2018, the Recreation and Community Services Department held a Community Park Clean-Up at the Pacoima Wash Natural. Approximately 15 community members participated in the clean up and beautification of the area located at 801 8th Street in San Fernando.

If you have a group of volunteers that would like to help, please contact Alejandra Ahumada at aahumada@sfcity.org. City-sponsored clean-ups count towards community service hours for students and parents looking to fulfill service hour requirements. Contact the Recreation and Community Services Department for additional details at 818.898.7430. 

The Elderly Nutrition Program held its Annual Holiday Celebration on December 20, 2018, at Las Palmas Park. Approximately 80 seniors dressed in their holiday best for the celebration and enjoyed music, dancing, delicious treats and raffles.

The Las Palmas Club held its annual Holiday Dinner Dance at the Odyssey Restaurant. Over 240 participants enjoyed a holiday dinner, dancing and raffle prizes. An evening of good food, great music and an amazing view of the San Fernando Valley made for an unforgettable night.