HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-2022 MCC Special
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
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022
5:30 PM
The Special Meeting was called to order at 5:33 PM by Mayor John Valdivia, on Thursday,
October 27, 2022, at Feldheym Central Library, San Bernardino, CA.
Call to Order
Theodore Sanchez Council Member, Ward 1 Present
Sandra Ibarra Council Member, Ward 2 Late 5:38 PM
Juan Figueroa Mayor Pro-Tem, Ward 3 Present
Fred Shorett Council Member, Ward 4 Present
Ben Reynoso Council Member, Ward 5 Present.
Kimberly Calvin Council Member, Ward 6 Present
Damon L Alexander Council Member, Ward 7 Present
John Valdivia Mayor Present
Robert D. Field City Manager Present
Thomas Rice Assistant City Attorney Present
Genoveva Rocha City Clerk Present
201 North E Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
http://www.sbcity.org
Mayor Helen Tran
Council Members
Theodore Sanchez
Sandra Ibarra
Juan Figueroa
Fred Shorett
Ben Reynoso
Kimberly Calvin
Damon L. Alexander
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Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2
5:30 P.M.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Kimberly Calvin led the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
The public comments were taken after the presentation.
PRESENTATIONS
1. San Bernardino Homeless Workshop
City Manager, Robert Field, stated that the purpose of the workshop was for staff to
introduce and discuss potential projects and programs available to the City of San
Bernardino to address aspects of homelessness. He reported that staff’s primary
concern was ensuring that the ongoing costs associated with some of the options
presented were fully understood, acknowledged, and managed.
Assistant City Attorney Thomas Rice reported that there would be no formal action from
the Council at the current meeting, but the staff was looking for direction from the
Council.
Deputy Director of Housing and Homelessness Cassandra Searcy and Director of
Community Housing and Economic Development Nathan Freeman gave a presentation
on Homelessness in the City of San Bernardino and solutions to the Mayor and City
Council to help navigate it. Highlights of the presentation included homeless data, key
factors of the homeless population, including high rates of mental health issues,
substance abuse, and lack of income, alongside rising costs to the city. Proposed
solutions focused on the Homeless Management Information System, Potential
Homekey projects, Navigation Center, and recuperative care centers supported by
partnerships and multiple funding sources.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
At this time, Mayor Valdivia moved to public comments.
Treasure Ortiz stated that she appreciated the thorough presentation but emphasized
that the City needed to take action. She suggested that the City declare a state of
emergency regarding homelessness.
Brenda Flanagan shared that she was being evicted without notice from her building
and that a San Bernardino drug program changed her life.
Cheryl Brown discussed that San Bernardino was very different from when she arrived.
She suggested that the City contact Rob Bonta to request an investigation into alleged
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Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3
fraud in San Bernardino. She also recommended that the City work with local churches
to address homelessness.
Samuel Castro commended the City for holding the workshop and focusing on solutions
to homelessness beyond increased policing. He encouraged the City to take action.
Jim Penman commented that the City must do better. He stated that he was impressed
by Cassandra Searcy’s presentation and stated that the School of Hope location was a
great choice.
Desiree Sanchez, Senior Policy Advocate for the American Civil Liberties Union of
Southern California, stated that the ACLU looked forward to helping citizens understand
their civil rights if the City continued to raid individuals living outdoors. She added that
the organization would work with community groups to educate the Council, landlords,
and San Bernardino residents about discriminatory policies.
Yolanda Brown shared that Katrina Smith, who had been homeless for over 18 months
while raising her grandchildren, attended the workshop and appreciated the
presentation. She urged the City Council to take action on the solutions presented to
address homelessness and housing in San Bernardino.
At this time, the Council Members asked questions and provided their comments.
Mayor Valdivia commended staff for their presentation and called for bold City action on
homelessness, urging County participation and prioritizing residents in housing programs.
He emphasized standard review for Home Key projects, the importance of strategic
partnerships and funding, being “shovel-ready” for state resources, and better
collaboration with the County’s Clarity program. He also highlighted the need for
expanded outreach services and reaffirmed support for the proposed wellness center on
6th Street.
Council Member Reynoso asked whether the County needed to declare a state of
emergency before the City could do so. Deputy Director Searcy responded that a state
of emergency would be necessary for shelters and housing due to zoning restrictions
and noted that the City would need to streamline the process for building safe, affordable
units, with further research required before presenting it to the Council.
Council Member Ibarra raised concerns about institutions preying on the homeless and
urged the Council to address the issue. She supported Deputy Director Searcy’s
presentation, advocated for tracking where homeless community members were from,
and noted that some cities were sending their homeless to San Bernardino. She
mentioned the 7th Day Adventist Church’s interest in building a wellness center and
asked whether the Lutheran Social Services HomeKey project would house families.
Deputy Director Searcy responded that it would house men, or men with children,
meeting a significant need, given the higher number of homeless men.
Council Member Calvin asked about the Housing Element plan, homeless seniors, and
outreach needs. Deputy Director Searcy confirmed communication with the school
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Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 4
district regarding land, reported that seniors were the fourth largest homeless age group,
and stated that 10 to12 outreach staff would be needed. Director Nathan Freeman noted
plan delays, with a draft expected by year-end and adoption in early 2023, and Searcy
added that the County’s recent $15 million funding could only support new homeless
projects.
Council Member Alexander requested that the inventory system track homeless
individuals brought to San Bernardino from other cities, echoing Council Member
Ibarra’s concern and noting accountability for those cities. He raised the need for policing
at proposed centers, which Deputy Director Searcy confirmed would have adequate
security. Alexander also asked why city-owned buildings were not used for transitional
housing; Searcy reported none were viable. He expressed concern that standard
planning requirements could slow projects, and City Manager Robert Field stated the
City could move quickly to complete them.
Council Member Shorett supported declaring a State of Emergency on homelessness,
commended Deputy Director Searcy’s presentation, and stated that the City was on the
right track.
Council Member Calvin reiterated the need to address slumlords within the community
as part of addressing homelessness.
Mayor Valdivia confirmed directions to staff to proceed and return to the Council with
developments and a more holistic plan.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Thursday, October 27,
2022, at 7:47 PM.
The next joint regular 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, November 2, 2022, at the Feldheym Central Library located at 555 West
6th Street, San Bernardino, California 92401. Closed Session will begin at 5:30 PM,
and Open Session will begin at 7:00 PM.
Telicia Lopez, CMC
City Clerk