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Home My WebLink About02-02-2026 MCC Special City of San Bernardino 201 North E Street San Bernardino, CA 92401 http://www.sbcity.org Minutes FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AND MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ACTING AS THE SAN BERNARDINO JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2026 5:30 PM The Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino was called to order at 5:30 PM by Mayor Helen Tran on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Feldheym Central Library, San Bernardino, CA. CALL TO ORDER Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mayor Helen Tran Council Members Theodore Sanchez Sandra Ibarra Juan Figueroa Fred Shorett Kim Knaus Mario Flores Dr. Treasure Ortiz Special Meeting Minutes February 2, 2026 Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2 5:30 PM INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Juan Figueroa led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA E. Negrete spoke in support of the item, stating the mayor’s role was a costly figurehead and that voters still decide on the ballot, so no rights were being lost. The following individuals opposed eliminating the directly elected mayor or altering election rules, arguing that the measures were rushed and lacked transparency. They also spoke on the importance of preserving democratic processes and using the Charter Review Committee for any changes. There were 7 speakers who did not state their names before addressing the Mayor and City Council. Johni Kim Ron Alvarado Tim Prince Skip Cain Gabriel Reyes Vincent Nguyen Stephanie Liggins Maha Rizvi Pastor Reginal Young Bishop Daniel Frazier Ozzie Dolan James Smith Diego Ordonez Joe Salas Jasmine Campos Damon Alexander Sarah Apostol Cassie McDuff Ben Pratt Kimberly Calvin Erick Marquez Rikkie Van Johnson Scott Olson Dick Salas Betzaida M Andy Fuentes Brenda Huerta Ethan Flores Damani Travis Diamond Duarte Tom Seccombe Zazette Scott Mike Hartley Ingrid Luna Louie Lopez David Friedman John Rangel Ben Salgado Nache Thompson Dorothy Navarrez Irma Flores Ray Blom Veronica Munoz James Albert Tia Johnson Jolene Ruiz Luz Perez Michael Segura Joz Sida Miriam Nieto Alex Beltran Amy Malone Arturo Fuerte Dolores Armstead Mark Westwood Rigo Gonzalez Kai King Rick Avila Ana Solorzano Angela Wilkinson Jose Solorzano Teresa Preciado Sonia Gonalez Carlos Gonzalez Ricardo Cisneros Ms. Ashley Sag Roberto Ceja Pastor Larry Lee Jonathan Rogers Pastor BJ Sims Mitch Miller Juan Villa Stephon Johns Violet Castro Laura Rodriguez Esther Gonzalez Marlee Rettig Gustavo Hurtado Jr At this time, there was a consensus amongst the City Council to continue the meeting past 10:00 p.m. Arlene Casto, a community activist, criticized local authorities and demanded stronger protection for residents, particularly regarding immigration enforcement. Special Meeting Minutes February 2, 2026 Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3 City Clerk Telicia Lopez advised that written comments were also received and would be available on the City’s website for public review DISCUSSION 1. Direct Staff to Prepare an Amendment to the City Charter for the June 2, 2026 Primary Election to Set Term Limits for City Council, Eliminate the Primary Election, and Eliminate the Directly Elected Office of the Mayor. Recommendation: It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of San Bernardino, California, Direct staff to prepare a charter amendment for placement on the June 2, 2026, Primary Election Ballot: The San Bernardino Good Government and term limits initiative: 1. Impose term limits of 3 consecutive terms beginning with officials elected in 2026; 2. Eliminate primary elections; and 3. Eliminate the office of the directly elected Mayor and replace with Mayor selected from among the Council. Council Member Ortiz made a motion to reject the proposed charter amendments and instead directed the staff to reconvene the Charter Review Committee to hold community workshops and gather input on potential changes. Council Member Flores seconded the motion. Council Member Ibarra asked to add to the motion to reinstate Commissioner Scott Olson to the committee. Council Member Sanchez proposed a substitute motion to direct staff to prepare the proposed charter amendments and schedule a special meeting, to be held concurrently with the regular Council meeting on February 4th, to consider reinstating Scott Olsson to the Charter Review Committee and continue discussion of the charter amendments. The motion was seconded by Council Member Shorett. The motion passed 4-3, Council Member Ibarra, Council Member Flores, and Council Member Ortiz voted in opposition. Due to the vote being 4-3 under the Mayor’s authority, the motion was vetoed. The City Council returned to the motion made by Council Member Ortiz to direct staff to reconvene the Charter review Committee. And allow the charter review committee to discuss items of concern for the council and the community. The motion was seconded by Council Member Flores. Special Meeting Minutes February 2, 2026 Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 4 RESULT: DIRECT STAFF TO RECONVENE THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE. AND ALLOW THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS ITEMS OF CONCERN FOR THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY [5-2] MOVER: Treasure Ortiz, Council Member, Ward 7 SECONDER: Mario Flores, Council Member, Ward 6 AYES: Ibarra, Figueroa, Knaus, Flores, Ortiz NOES: Theodore Sanchez and Fred Shorett ADJOURNMENT The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 10:08 p.m. The next joint special meeting of the Mayor and City Council and the Mayor and City Council Acting as the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency will be held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Feldheym Central Library located at 555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino, California 92410. Closed Session will begin at 4:00 p.m., and Open Session will begin at 5:00 p.m. Telicia Lopez, CMC City Clerk