HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-22-2024 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
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2024
6:30 PM
The Special Meeting was called to order at 6:32 PM by Mayor Helen Tran on
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Feldheym Central Library, San Bernardino, CA. Pursuant
to Assembly Bill AB2449, Council Member Sanchez participated in the meeting
remotely, via Zoom, at the following location: Hyatt Regency, Koyoto 644-2
Sanjusangendo-Mawari, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, Japan 605-0941.
Call to Order
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Mayor Helen Tran
Council Members
Theodore Sanchez
Sandra Ibarra
Juan Figueroa
Fred Shorett
Ben Reynoso
Kimberly Calvin
Damon L. Alexander
Special Meeting Minutes May 22, 2024
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2
6:30 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Ben Reynoso led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Treasure Ortiz spoke about public comments made by former employee Barbara
Whitehorn, the community's displeasure with the City Manager (CM), and believed the
CM had been dishonest with the council and citizens. She requested termination with
cause and wanted the CM recruitment to be reopened.
L’Rea Robinson addressed the former employee's comments, criticized the CM for not
working for the Council, quoted Maya Angelou, and supported the CM's termination.
Rikke Van Johnson discussed a meeting where citizens highlighted red flags about the
CM, noted the confusion caused by the hiring process, and called for reinstating the
Finance Director and completing an audit. He acknowledged Treasure Ortiz’s efforts to
speak on city issues.
Al Palazzo supported terminating the CM and emphasized the need for a visionary CM,
who avoids micromanagement and brings bold ideas. He advocated for selecting an
internal candidate and not using a recruitment firm.
Sarah called for an investigation into how Jim Penman learned about the Special
Meeting in advance, spoke on Barbara Whitehorn’s dismissal, and stressed the
importance of the city's success. She requested termination of the CM with cause and
expressed concern about the city’s negative image.
Dolores Armstead referenced Director Whitehorn’s comments, the CM’s history of
terminations at other agencies, and Penman’s early knowledge of the Special Meeting.
She advocated hiring a CM with integrity and a clean background, regardless of race.
Less discussed the problems the CM’s hiring had caused and requested an
investigation into the leak of the recruitment to the first candidate’s employer. He
supported the CM’s termination.
Cheryl Brown read a statement on behalf of Hardy Brown (present at the meeting) Mr.
Brown expressed displeasure with CM Montoya for causing confusion and being
dishonest. He referenced the City Attorney’s Office comments on the Manager-Council
form of government, the termination of the Finance Director, and urged reinstating
Barbara Whitehorn.
Cheryl Brown requested the termination of the City Attorney and CM Montoya, and
spoke in favor of having someone like Whitehorn to manage finances and prevent
bankruptcy.
Luis Ojeda addressed the audience and cited a remark from Treasure Ortiz. He spoke
in displeasure of elected officials forgetting their duties, and expressed his continued
commitment to the city, and wanted a local CM hired after terminating the current one.
Special Meeting Minutes May 22, 2024
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3
Harry Hatch explained the Council's legal duty to protect city funds, mentioned
Whitehorn’s awards, her termination, and the need for audits. He called for a deep dive
into the city’s finances.
Sofia demanded an end to corruption and termination of the CM Montoya with cause.
She wanted an investigation into who leaked meeting details to Jim Penman and
questioned the staff being brought in.
Georgia L expressed disappointment about the need to terminate the CM. She wanted
someone to lead the city out of crisis, supported hiring the former Finance Director, and
advocated for oversight of Animal Services.
Daniel Gevanchi focused on what qualities were needed in a CM, including crisis
management and ethics. He wanted someone who could implement the council’s vision
without controversy. He requested the results of the “Zoom bombing” investigation and
suggested using CSUSB cyber students.
Mike Hartley criticized the termination of the Finance Director, expressed that it was
unjustified, and believed the CM failed to fulfill his role. He supported finding a better
CM and terminating Montoya.
CLOSED SESSION
A) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957)
Title: City Manager
B) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE DISMISSAL (PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957)
Title: City Manager
C) PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT (PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 54957)
Title: City Manager
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Sonia Carvalho reported on Item B. The City Council unanimously voted
to terminate Charles Montoya’s employment contract without cause, pursuant to Section
11.7 of his agreement. On Item C, a motion was made to appoint Rochelle Clayton as
temporary Acting City Manager. The motion passed 5 to 3 with Council Members
Sanchez, Ibarra, and Alexander voting in opposition.
Special Meeting Minutes May 22, 2024
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 4
ADJOURNMENT
The Special meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Wednesday, May
22, 2024, at 8:50 PM.
The Mayor and City Council will adjourn to a Special Meeting to be held on Thursday,
May 30, 2024, at the DoubleTree Hotel located at 285 East Hospitality Lane, San
Bernardino, California 92408 at 6:00 p.m.
By:______________
Telicia Lopez, CMC, Acting City Clerk