• A resolution was approved that now requires the City's general employees to pay a portion of their PERS retirement costs and to report the paid contributions as tax-deferred in accordance with IRS guidelines. Comprised of nearly 70 employees, the general employees bargaining unit agreed to the stipulation as part of its recently approved labor agreement. The action is expected to save the City $216,000 by 2012.
• The Council also approved a labor agreement with the City's management employees that provides no salary increases for three years, a reduction in longevity and bilingual pay, the elimination of car allowances, and a decrease in management leave hours. Concessions from the 10-member bargaining group are expected to save the City nearly $174,000 over the next three years.
• Amendments were made to the City's zoning code that now streamlines the approval process for certain types of businesses to sell alcoholic beverages while imposing strict conditions that deter such sales from becoming a nuisance. The amendments are intended to promote commercial opportunities and "good neighbor" policies for new and established businesses including restaurants, supermarkets and drug stores.
• The Council approved a request by the San Fernando Swap Meet to add an additional day of operations on Thursday and to provide live entertainment on the weekend. The Council concurred that this will help the Swap Meet promote itself as a retail shopping destination, which would result in additional admissions fees and tax revenues paid to the City.
• Staff was directed to file a Notice of Completion for the Maclay Streetscape Improvement Project, which now allows the City to receive final grant reimbursements of nearly $5.25 million. The action also sets forth a one-year warranty period against all construction defects in workmanship and materials.

NOTE:This meeting recap serves as an unofficial and quick information tool to San Fernando residents and the local media. Official minutes are posted on the City's website (www.sfcity.org) upon approval by the San Fernando City Council.

The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is set for January 18, 2010, 6 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, 117 Macneil St. For more information, call (818) 898-1201.