FAIRFIELD, Calif — City Church, a local faith-based organization that provides critical services for the homeless, faces a six-figure fine and the threat of continued closure after the Fairfield City Council voted to keep the church closed until the penalties are paid and negotiations are done.
The dispute between City Church and the city began after a portion of the church building, which is used to serve Fairfield’s homeless population, was deemed unsafe.
On Tuesday night, the Fairfield City Council voted 5-1 to uphold the decision to keep the church closed until the fines are settled, reversing the Planning Commission's decision in October.
Some councilmembers emphasized that the penalties were necessary to ensure the church adheres to building codes, while others expressed concern over the impact the continued closure would have on the homeless community.
“It is not about money. It is about 120,000 other people in this town that we get calls from all the time, complaints about City Church,” said Doug Carr, Fairfield Councilmember.
Meanwhile, several community members voiced concern for the homeless individuals who rely on the church for shelter and support.
“We don’t want more people to die on the street,” said one member of the public.
Another added, “If City Church goes away, the homeless are going to lose. We are all going to lose.”
In March, the city shut down the church's Life School, citing issues such as a leaking roof, mold, and other building violations. As a result, the church accrued fines for failing to address the problems quickly.
City Church maintains that the violations have been resolved, but the fines — totaling $310,000 — remain a significant obstacle to reopening.
City Church leadership, including Lead Pastor Scott Mulvey, has apologized for past misunderstandings and said that they have worked to fix the building violations.
"Not to hash over old business, if there are misunderstandings on our part, I apologize. Our church apologizes," Mulvey said.
The situation has been building for several years. The city says it has been working with City Church to resolve the building issues, but no permanent solution was reached until the church’s closure in March.
Fairfield City Attorney David Lim noted that this was the first time he had heard an apology from the church’s leadership for the misunderstandings, signaling a potential shift toward compromise.
However, Lim also emphasized the city's position.
"These fines were not punitive," he said.
The situation remains unresolved as both parties continue to negotiate, with the homeless community hoping that a resolution is reached soon.
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