Members of the San Fernando City Council addressed several topics during their first meeting of the year, from the approval of a new parking ordinance to restrict recreational vehicles (RVs) to a presentation proclaiming Jan. 19 as “Cindy Montañez Day.”
Mayor Joel Fajardo and the councilmembers each spoke briefly about Montañez, noting her impact on the community, her dedication to environmental causes and other accomplishments, including being the youngest person ever elected to the San Fernando City Council at 25 in 1999; and becoming the youngest woman elected to the California State Assembly three years later.
“Cindy is someone that had a great impact on my life, because I think I wouldn’t be here if it hadn’t been for Cindy,” said Councilmember Mary Mendoza. “She was one of the [people] that really encouraged me to run for City Council. She was a mentor to me and very encouraging.”
The Montañez family, including her parents and brother, expressed their gratitude to the City Council for officially designating her birthday as Cindy Montañez Day, and to the greater community. “I will never forget your support for her,” said her mother, Margarita Montañez.
New Permit Parking System for RVs
San Fernando Police Department (SFPD) Chief Fabian Valdez and Sgt. Walter Dominguez introduced a proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 90 of the city’s municipal code. The primary goals of the ordinance are twofold: to balance community needs and public safety concerns by introducing a permit system for RV parking in the city and prohibiting vehicle habitation on public streets.
Under the ordinance – which councilmembers approved at the close of the hearing – RV permits will be available for city residents or their designated guests via an application process. The SFPD will approve each permit, which will be for two consecutive days and expire at 6 a.m. on the third day, with a possible two-day extension, allowing up to four days per month per address.
Councilmember Patty López and others expressed concern about balancing enforcement of the new ordinance with providing supportive services for individuals suspected of residing in their vehicles. Valdez and Dominguez both confirmed that the SFPD would continue to share information about available resources and relocation options for those who are unhoused.
“For those people who need help or need resources … we would give them a reasonable amount of time [to relocate],” said Valdez.
Only one active permit will be allowed per address at any given time, and the permitted RV must be parked on the same block as the address on the application and cannot be parked within 50 feet of an intersection, according to Valdez. Providing the limited parking permits will allow City of San Fernando residents or their guests to prepare their RV for a planned vacation, he explained.
“However, if we know that there is an abuse of the system, there are mechanisms in place to revoke a permit if [the RV] is being used as [living] quarters,” said Valdez. He stressed the need for the new ordinance, noting that the City of San Fernando currently doesn’t have any existing law that expressly “prohibits RVs from parking on our city streets.”
The only current legal guideline is the existing vehicle code that requires any vehicle to be moved after being parked in one spot for 72 hours, but “movement could be six inches,” explained Valdez.
“In theory, somebody could park an RV and move it six inches every three days,” he said. “So [with the new ordinance], we want to provide a mechanism that will eliminate the opportunity for people to permanently place, or semi-permanently place, an RV on our residential streets.”
The City Council approved the ordinance with two caveats: changing the phrase that defines vehicle habitation from “sleeping in a covered vehicle” to “sleeping in a vehicle”; and giving the chief discretion to deny a permit if the RV would create a traffic hazard on the designated street.
Human Trafficking Awareness Presentation
In recognition of January being Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Vice Mayor Victoria Garcia asked fellow councilmembers to approve a co-sponsorship with ZOE International for a community presentation addressing Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention on Jan. 29.
Councilmembers approved the co-sponsorship, which will provide the use of council chambers for the free presentation by ZOE – a nonprofit based in Los Angeles County that works to combat human trafficking – and promotion for the event. In addition, SFPD will participate in the presentation to provide a law enforcement perspective on the issue of human trafficking and local context.
“I think [this is] important information for our community,” said Garcia regarding the need for the event. “This year, Los Angeles is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Large influxes of visitors for major events create opportunities for traffickers to exploit vulnerable people.”