HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-2026 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, JUNE 8, 2026
5:00 PM
The Special Meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino was
called to order at 5:03 PM by Mayor Helen Tran on Monday, June 8, 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 June 8, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 2
5:00 PM
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pastor BJ Sims from Kingdom Culture Worship Center led the invocation, and Mayor
Pro-Tem Knaus led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR ITEMS LISTED ON THE AGENDA
Ron Alvarado urged the council to adopt a strategic plan with measurable goals, stronger
accountability, neighborhood investment, and greater fiscal transparency.
Dolores Armstead expressed that the strategic plan and prior retreat lacked clear results
and are too vague. She requested measurable goals, stronger oversight, audits, and
better reporting on homelessness funding and city spending.
Christian Shaughnessy stated that public safety is a priority and that economic
development supports corridor investment, business support, and a forensic audit to
ensure transparency.
Robert Carrillo supported the city's strategic priorities and encouraged the use of housing
and local development to strengthen the economy and revitalize neighborhoods.
Ashley Dial urged the city to enforce code violations, collect all revenue owed, and invest
more in housing and tenant assistance programs.
Yvette Romero urged the city to adopt measurable goals that prioritize housing, quality of
life, and accountability.
Theodore Trentman urged the city to maintain strong partnerships with animal rescue
organizations and expressed concern over the banning of an animal transporter, calling for
greater collaboration to improve animal welfare and rescue efforts.
Ruben Mendoza urged the city to prioritize housing and homelessness by implementing
housing element goals, streamlining development, and updating policies to increase
affordable housing and meet future housing needs.
Andy Fuentes thanked the council for holding the meeting at a convenient time and
encouraged scheduling important future meetings in the evening to improve public
participation.
Susan G Geier was banned from transporting animals after social media posts and called
for protecting rescue partnerships and free speech.
Kimberly Calvin criticized repeated strategic plans without implementation and called for
more accountability and follow-through on council decisions.
Al Palazzo argued the city’s mall plan is unrealistic and urged more community
involvement and practical, implementable development.
Special Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 3
DISCUSSION
1. Review and discuss the potential implementation of the City’s overall Goals and
Priorities established at the Mayor and City Council Strategic Planning Session.
(All Wards)
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino,
California, review, discuss and establish the City’s overall Goals and Priorities
established at the Mayor and City Council Strategic Planning Session with proposed
objectives for City Council consideration.
City Manager Eric Levitt and Deputy City Manager Tanya Romo presented to the Mayor
and City Council.
Council Members discussed implementation of the strategic plan, requesting improved
tracking systems, dashboards, and regular progress updates. They also expressed
concerns that past plans were not fully implemented and called for stronger audits,
reporting, and staffing capacity to support execution.
Council discussed economic development efforts, including streamlining permitting,
improving coordination between departments, reducing delays affecting businesses and
downtown redevelopment, expanding workforce development partnerships, and aligning
legislative and grant opportunities. Staff responded that certain processes required legal
compliance and outside expertise.
There was discussion on the “one-stop shop” permitting concept, with general agreement
that success depends more on coordination and accountability than physical
consolidation.
Council raised concerns about the CRM system, specifically that service requests may be
marked resolved without full resolution and requested improved tracking and
accountability.
Updates were provided on the general plan, downtown specific plan, and zoning updates,
with anticipated Planning Commission review in September and Council action in October.
A long-standing downtown housing project was discussed and noted as stalled but still
part of planning frameworks.
Additional concerns included basic service delivery issues such as street sweeping and
signage. As well as calls for stronger organizational capacity within the City Manager’s
office and improved cross-department coordination.
The Council and Mayor emphasized improving public communication, city branding, and
transparency through regular progress reporting, dashboards, and clearer timelines,
stressing urgency and accountability in implementing city priorities.
No action was taken by the Mayor and City Council.
Special Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026
Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino Page 4
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting of the Mayor and City Council was adjourned on Monday, June 8, 2026, at
7:08 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 Wednesday, June 17, 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