HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-2026 SM_Item 1_Munoz, JessicaFrom:jessica Munoz
To:PublicComments
Subject:Public Comment – Feb. 2, 2026 Special Meeting, Agenda Item 1
Date:Monday, February 2, 2026 11:17:59 AM
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Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I am submitting this written public comment regarding Agenda Item 1 on the February
2, 2026 Special Meeting agenda concerning the proposed City Charter amendment.
Although I recently moved to Highland, I grew up in San Bernardino and now teach at
SBCUSD, my family continues to live there and I co-own property in the city. San
Bernardino remains deeply important to me and my family.
I support the concept of good governance and reasonable term limits. However, I
have serious concerns about eliminating the directly elected Mayor and replacing that
position with a Mayor selected by the City Council. Given the City’s history, the scale
of the challenges San Bernardino continues to face and longstanding concerns
among residents about transparency and public trust, I am not convinced this change
would benefit the City at this time.
In cities where public trust and institutional stability are already strong, this
governance model can work. In a city still working to rebuild confidence and
accountability, removing a citywide elected Mayor risks concentrating power inward
and may unintentionally deepen public skepticism rather than restore trust.
I respectfully urge the Council to carefully consider whether structural changes that
reduce direct voter participation are appropriate at this moment, even if other
elements of the proposal move forward.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment and for your consideration.
Warm regards,
Jessica Muñoz- Education Specialist
M.Ed. Candidate