San Bernardino · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Boston Dynamics Public Safety Robot Purchase
The city is buying a Boston Dynamics SPOT robot for up to $370,973 for public safety use — a notable tech purchase on consent.
Litigation settlements totaling $583,500
The council settled four lawsuits against the city for a combined $583,500, all approved unanimously in closed session. Residents won't see this on any agenda line item, but it's real money coming from the city's liability exposure.
Measure I Street and Safety Projects
The city has 557 miles of streets averaging a condition score of 51 (benchmark is 65), and the new three-year plan only fixes about 66 miles. Council members from multiple wards said their worst streets were missing from the map and there's no money for years two and three.
Speicher Park Ballfields Contingency Increase
A proposed $1.3 million boost to the contingency budget for the Speicher Park ballfields, bringing it to about $2.04 million, signals rising project costs for a Ward 2 park.
Homelessness services and nonprofit contracting accountability
The council added $86,880 to the Navigation Center modular contract, approved a new interim housing provider with $400,000 in state encampment funding, and reported 222 people served in October — but the facility's opening slipped to early-to-mid 2027.
Calles dañadas y mantenimiento de calles
The city has 557 miles of streets averaging a condition score of 51 (benchmark is 65), and the new three-year plan only fixes about 66 miles. Council members from multiple wards said their worst streets were missing from the map and there's no money for years two and three.
Camping ordinance on public streets and parks
The council adopted the camping ordinance restricting encampments on streets and parks; one written commenter objected that it criminalizes poverty.
Shandin Hills Golf Course management and audit
A year after residents began pressing for accountability at the city-owned golf course, the council approved Phase II financial review procedures (up to $136,500) and expanded the citywide audit. Residents say the course was closed on a day other courses were open, $120,000 in transfers can't be traced, and the course is bleeding money.
Surplus Land Disposition Framework
The city will market 27 cleared surplus properties to developers for infill and market-rate housing. It passed 6-1 after a fight over transparency — Councilmember Ortiz wanted the RFP template, a lobbying quiet period, and a formal policy before anything goes out.
SB HOPE Campus funding reallocation
The Navigation Center's modular units arrive next week; the project is now $33.1 million with about $1.2 million unspent, and doors are expected in late Q1/early Q2 2027 — with operating cost negotiations with Helping Hearts still underway.
Elected officials' compensation
A new pay plan for top city staff includes a 3.5% cost-of-living increase — and a contested $29,000 raise for the police chief. It passed over one no vote.
Meyers Creek flooding and sedimentation
Verdemont-area flooding and sediment problems persist; fixes cost $25 million (storm drain) or $64.1 million (debris basin and channel), with county partnership and grant potential for the larger option.
Privacy and neighborhood impacts of three-story multifamily development
The city had to update its local rules to match new state laws on backyard granny flats and garage conversions, sparking major resident and council pushback over lost parking, increased density, and a lack of local enforcement against illegal building.
Pedestrian safety at Highland Avenue intersection
Family and friends of 15-year-old Raylen Ayala, killed September 1 at Highland and Guthrie, urged the city to run a rigorous 24-hour traffic and pedestrian count with peak-window analysis before another life is lost.
Future of the animal shelter facility and contract cities
The city is terminating its off-site shelter lease with Casa Ramona while the Waterman Avenue shelter faces a month-long access restriction starting February 9. A resident praised the mayor's shelter visit and begged the council to plan sustainable, humane shelter operations.
Independent financial process assessment
Councilmembers Knaus, Ortiz, and Shorett renewed calls for a forensic audit of city finances; staff will bring back within 60 days what type of audit is appropriate and which firms could perform it.
Homeless drop-off notification and vacant property ordinances
The Redlands Boulevard facility's operator did extensive unpermitted construction and ran recuperative care without authorization. The commission moved to schedule a revocation hearing after the applicant missed repeated permit-resubmittal deadlines.
Vacant and abandoned building registration
Councilmember Knaus's proposal would require registration of vacant properties, mandatory maintenance, and progressive fees to fight blight.
Feldheym Central Library improvement project
A $10.2 million renovation of the Feldheym Library moved forward with an $8.3 million construction contract — ADA upgrades, backup power, HVAC, security. Most is state grant money, but the council had to find $3.8 million locally and chose the Measure S fund balance over cutting other park and street projects.