HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-29-2026 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
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 2026
1:30 PM
The Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino was
called to order at 1:30 PM by Mayor Helen Tran on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at
Feldheym Central Library, located at 555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino, 92410.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor Lee Coe from Calvery Chapel San Bernardino led the invocation, and Council
Member Mario Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
CALL TO ORDER
Theodore Sanchez Council Member, Ward 1 Present
Sandra Ibarra Council Member, Ward 2 Late 1:38 p.m.
Juan Figueroa Council Member, Ward 3 Present
Fred Shorett Council Member, Ward 4 Present
Kim Knaus Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 5 Late 1:34 p.m.
Mario Flores Council Member, Ward 6 Present
Dr. Treasure Ortiz Council Member, Ward 7 Present
Helen Tran Mayor Present
Eric Levitt City Manager Present
Albert Maldonado Deputy City Attorney Present
Telicia Lopez City Clerk Present
Vanessa Alvarado Deputy City Clerk Present
Mayor Helen Tran
Council Members
Theodore Sanchez
Sandra Ibarra
Juan Figueroa
Fred Shorett
Kim Knaus
Mario Flores
Dr. Treasure Ortiz
Regular Meeting Minutes April 29, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2
1:30 P.M.
Deputy City Attorney Albert Maldonado made an announcement regarding Closed
Session. The matter relates to a letter dated April 17th, 2026 attorney Timothy Prince of
Tomlinson and Prince, threatening legal action to overturn the censure of Council
Member Dr. Treasure Ortiz.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Ron Alvarado First Ward candidate expressed concern that the weekday afternoon
budget workshop limited public participation and advocated for greater investment in
infrastructure and cultural districts.
Robert Carillo founder of the Launchpad Collective, expressed concern that the
proposed budget prioritized public safety and administrative functions over housing and
economic development.
Daniel Jivanjee spoke in support of dedicating funding for arts and beautification
initiatives in the 2026–2027 budget, stating that investment in the arts would enhance the
City’s appearance.
Ruben Mendoza advocated for streamlined housing development, support for local
developers, and investment in housing, economic development, and arts initiatives to
strengthen neighborhood growth and community culture.
James Ojeda spoke in support of expanding arts advocacy and developing San
Bernardino’s creative economy, emphasizing the importance of cultural districts,
beautification, and community investment.
Michael Segura Executive Director of the Garcia Center for the Arts and San Bernardino
resident, advocated for increased arts funding, investment in the East Street corridor,
greater transparency and accessibility for commission meetings, and preservation of the
City’s cultural and historical resources.
Casey Ball spoke in support of establishing the ‘E’ Street corridor as an official cultural
district, advocated for $3 million in arts funding.
Miriam Nieto spoke in support of investing in sustainable community infrastructure, arts
and cultural initiatives and advocated for designation of the ‘E’ Street corridor to help
leverage additional funding, support small businesses, and encourage long-term
economic development.
Alex Beltran advocated for increased investment in affordable housing, pedestrian and
bicycle safety improvements, and arts and cultural programs, including support for the
citizen proposed $3 million arts funding request.
Brandon Aguilera advocated for increased investment in arts and cultural programs and
spoke in support for the proposed $3 million arts funding request.
Regular Meeting Minutes April 29, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3
Ulises Rodriguez advocated for funding and implementation of the ‘E’ Street cultural
district and increased investment in arts and cultural programming, community
engagement, and revitalization efforts in San Bernardino.
Sonya Gray Hunn advocated for investment in the ‘E’ Street corridor through affordable
housing, mixed-use development, green spaces, and arts and cultural funding to support
economic development and long-term community growth.
David Fiedman advocated for $3 million in arts funding, stating that investment in arts
organizations, public spaces, and creative venues would support small businesses,
community engagement, and downtown revitalization in San Bernardino.
At the advice of Deputy City Attorney Alber Maldonado, Council Member Ortiz recused
herself from participation in Closed Session Item A.
Mayor and City Council convened into Closed Session at 2:09 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
A.) CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of
Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): 1 case
The Mayor and City Council reconvened into Open Session at 3:02 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Deputy City Attorney Albert Maldonado stated there was no reportable action from
Closed Session.
DISCUSSION
1. Fiscal Year 2026/27 Budget Workshop (All Wards)
Recommendation:
Introduce, read by title only, and waive further reading, of an ordinance of the
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, receive and file the oral
budget presentation for the FY 2026/27 Proposed Operating Budget and Capital
Improvement Plan Budget.
City Manager Eric Levitt presented an overview of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027
Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget, including projected revenues and
expenditures, capital improvement deferrals, staffing growth, budget balancing efforts,
and organizational challenges related to increased personnel costs and reduced vacancy
savings, and noted that staff remained open to City Council feedback and potential
budget modifications
Zuyva Ruiz Budget Division Manager presented an overview of current economic trends
and the proposed Fiscal Year 2026–2027 budget, highlighting concerns related to
consumer spending, inflation, and state funding uncertainties, while outlining projected
general fund revenues and expenditures, fund balance trends, and the City’s strategy to
stabilize reserves, maintain fiscal health, and address long-term revenue challenges.
Eddie Mendez, Principal Civil Engineer presented an overview of the Capital
Improvement Program, including project delivery phases, budget summaries, project
Regular Meeting Minutes April 29, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 4
funding categories, proposed project deferrals due to staffing and fiscal capacity
constraints, completed and ongoing infrastructure projects, and new interactive maps
providing public access to project information,
Councilmembers expressed appreciation for staff efforts.
During discussion of the FY 2026/27 budget, the Council discussed the previously
approved “one-stop shop” and the status of implementation to streamline the
development process, to improve efficiency and reduce delays from design to
construction.
Council directed staff to provide recommendations and a project-by-project analysis to
support legislative aid requests.
Council also requested an update on the organizational assessment emphasizing
identification of departmental needs and performance metrics.
Additional requests included restoring the street sweeping program, exploring potential
assistance from Burrtec Waste Industries for signage costs, identifying and reassessing
funding for the homeless Navigation center (approximately $2 million set aside),
exploring new revenue opportunities, addressing deferred project timelines, and funding
for arts and culture. The Mayor and City Council also inquired about the status of City
Hall and the plan for returning to the building. Councilmember Mario Flores made a
motion to hold a special meeting prior to the budget hearing to formalize the retreat
priorities and identify a consultant to explain the forensic audit process. The motion was
seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Knaus.
RESULT: DIRECTED STAFF TO SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING PRIOR
TO THE NEXT BUDGET HEARING TO REVIEW AND FORMALIZE
THE GOALS AND PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED AT THE MCC
RETREAT, DEVELOP AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CONSISTENT
WITH THOSE PRIORITIES, AND WITHIN 60 DAYS ENGAGE A
QUALIFIED FORENSIC AUDITOR TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF
FORENSIC AUDITING. [7-0]
MOVER: Mario Flores, Council Member, Ward 6
SECONDER: Kim Knaus, Mayor Pro Tem, Ward 5
AYES: Sanchez, Ibarra, Figueroa, Shorett, Knaus, Flores, Ortiz, Tran
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Wednesday, May 6, 2026,
at 5:19 p.m.
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
May 6, 2026, at the Feldheym Central Library located at 555 West 6th Street, San
Bernardino, California 92410. Closed Session will begin at 3:30 p.m. and Open Session
will begin at 5:00 p.m.
Telicia Lopez, CMC
City Clerk